I gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wanna try me.”
“Trust me, I’m tempted,” I admitted, my body teetering on the precipice; one more naughty suggestion, and I was going to combust in an inferno of flames that only he had the power to ignite. “But we have to wait. We’ve got only,” I quickly checked my Apple watch, “an hour and a half before our shift ends.”
“Then, after our dinner, all bets are off.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jameson
The ominous clouds that had blanketed the sky and abruptly cut short our date had since given way to thunderous sheets of rain pelting away at my truck’s windshield as we drove home from our candlelight dinner in Rockwood. While visibility was low, there weren’t many other vehicles on the road, thankfully.
I backed into my driveway, and anxiousness crept up my spine as I cut the engine.
“I’m sorry, I . . .”
“Why? Even you can’t control the weather, Jameson.”
“This is true,” I shrugged, “I guess I just acted on autopilot. Is it okay that I brought you to my place, or did you?—”
Her fingers slid between mine where my hand rested on the center console, stealing any thought that didn’t involve falling further under her spell.
“There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
“How about inside?” I joked.
She giggled. “Okay, you got me there.”
I leaned over the console and kissed a path up the delicate slope of her neck, unable to resist the temptation.
“Jameson.” She moaned, turning her head to capture my mouth with a hungry fire that even the rain couldn’t dampen.
“Are you ready to make a run for it? Because the next time I put my hands on you, it won’t be inside my truck.”
With a shared glance and “Three-two-one,” we flung the truck’s doors open and sprinted toward my front porch, dodging any puddles in our path. After a quick punch of buttons on the keypad, we tumbled inside a tangle of laughter and limbs, each of us seeking closeness.
“Wait, Jameson, wait.” Ari stopped me after I’d toed off my shoes on the doormat.
“I—” I was about to apologize for being over-eager when she interrupted me.
“No, silly.” She pointed up with her finger.
Right, the mistletoe!
“Think we already have the kissing part down.” The idea of claiming her made me overlook that little detail.
“Are you saying you don’t want a taste?”
“Oh, I most definitely want a taste.” I leaned in and kissed her soft, pouty, dark, cherry-stained lips. “However, I had another menu item in mind, if I’m allowed to be honest.”
One that involved licking every inch of her soft, flawless skin.
Ari looked at me with wide eyes, then shook her head, clearly amused. “After you gave me trouble over this very thing the last time I was here?” She leaned to one side, her hip jutting out as her hand settled on it. “I’m shocked!”
“I’ve got no defense; maybe I need to be punished?” I said, a teasing smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
