“You’re thinking too hard again.”
“How can you tell?”
A grin spread across his mouth. “Because you get that little crease.” His thumb brushed lightly between her brows. “Like your brain trying to save you from your heart.”
Lord.
Before Johanna could recover from that devastating observation, Blaze leaned down and captured her mouth in another kiss. And while standing there beneath moonlight and crashing waves, Johanna finally understood something terrifying.
She wasn’t losing this fight because Blaze Carter pursued her relentlessly.
She was losing because some part of her had never truly wanted him gone in the first place.
Chapter9
By the time Blaze and Johanna made it back to the party, neither of them was pretending whatever existed between them was still casual.
Not after the dancing and the kisses. And definitely not after the way Blaze was looking at her as though he'd finally reclaimed something he'd spent years convincing himself he could live without.
Johanna felt the intensity of his gaze every time it landed on her. Heat, possession, and unmistakable want lingered beneath his gaze, slipping beneath her skin and settling somewhere she couldn't quite ignore.
Blaze stepped closer beside the fire.
"You ready to go?"
Warmth rushed into her cheeks because they both understood the question beneath the question.
Are you ready to be alone with me?
Johanna swallowed, and Blaze's gaze followed the movement of her throat for a second too long before she finally nodded.
"Yes."
That one soft answer nearly destroyed what remained of his composure.
Blaze turned toward the group. “We’re heading out.”
Michael leaned back dramatically in his chair. “Wow. Abandoning your firefighter family for a woman.”
“It was a tough choice,” Blaze replied dryly.
MacKenzie pointed at Johanna. “Jo, call somebody tomorrow so we know you survived.”
Blaze pointed back. “Mind your business.”
“Youaremy business.”
Laughter rolled through the group again while Blaze guidedJohanna toward the parking area with one hand resting low against her back.
The touch sent a familiar awareness through her. Every time Blaze touched her now, it felt intentional, steady, and protective, with just enough possessiveness to make her feel cherished rather than confined.
And honestly, that might have been the most dangerous part of all.
"I didn't drive," she said quietly as they crossed the lot. "Paige dropped me off."
"Perfect."
The walk toward his truck felt different from earlier. Not awkward, but charged. Everything simmering between them had shifted tonight. Earlier they'd circled each other carefully, still pretending caution mattered. Now the attraction between them had stopped behaving itself entirely.
