“A beer?I’dsay you’ve more than earned it.”
Thick lashes lifted as she tilted her head toward me and smiled. “Abeer with a friend.”
My gaze went to her lips as we tapped our bottles together. “I’lldrink to that.”
From the moment we had met,Aurorahad been on edge.Onguard.Waitingfor the other shoe to drop.Butseeing her like this?Carefreeand serene?Itwas like the ocean after a hurricane.
There was a massive respect for her power and an even greater appreciation for her gentleness.
I draped my arm around her shoulders. “Youdidn’t find any more mysterious letters today without me, did you?”
She let out a birdsong laugh. “Noletters in the sand.Istill don’t know what to think about the one we found in the floor, butI’mstarting to think it was just a one-off.”
I tilted my head down. “Maybewe should explore some more.”
Aurora sat in silent thought, sipping her beer until it was reduced to suds. “IthinkIshould stick to fixing what needs to be fixed and not break what’s not broken.”
“Come on,Colorado,”Isaid asIset our bottles on the coffee table and sank back beside her. “Livea little.”
She just snickered and shook her head. “Thanksfor the pizza.Itkind of tasted like fried fish.”
“Ernie makes ‘em on the flat-top grill.Wedon’t have a pizza place out here, so it’s the best we can do.Hemakes a mean pie, though.”
Her eyes were soft as she studied my face. “Ididn’t sayIdidn’t like it.”
A speck of red sauce dotted the corner of her lip. “You’vegot a little . . .”Myvoice trailed off asIcupped her chin, tenderly pressed my thumb to her lip, and wiped it away.
Aurora’s eyes grew heavy, and her breathing hitched.Ibrought my thumb to my mouth and sucked it off.
“Did you get it?” she whispered as her chin tipped up ever so slightly.
I was about to make an incredibly stupid decision, but the last few weeks of being in her orbit had me all kinds of messed up for her.Iknew damn well that one touch, one kiss would be just the beginning.Onetaste of her would be the forbidden fruit that sealed my fate.
AndIfucking wanted it.Iwanted her.
Once wouldn’t be enough.
“No.”Itwas the last syllableIbreathed before our mouths crashed together.
11
AURORA
THE DEAD AUNT CLICHÉ
“Yes,” was the breath that slipped free from my mouth asJack’shands slid into my hair.Deliciouspinpricks of heat and anticipation flashed down my neck, and across my chest and arms the moment his mouth grazed mine.
He swallowed my gasp as he tilted his head and stole my breath with another kiss.
“Jack,”Iwhispered.
His name was the straw that broke the camel’s back.Stronghands slid up and down my arms before wrapping around my bare waist.Helet out a guttural growl that made my heart race.
The man knew how tokiss.Therewas no hesitance.Nonerves.Itwas a fast-paced dance that he was leading with confidence and ease.Thekiss never broke asJackslid me onto his lap, then tipped us both back onto the couch.Hismassive body loomed over me.
Our heartbeats matched in time as his chest pressed against mine.Hecupped my cheek, thumb grazing the corner of my mouth again.
“Open for me,Roar.Bea good girl.”
