Page 66 of Puck Me Back to Life

“Oh my God.”

“Kai.”

“You're jealous.”

His jaw tightens. “Be careful.”

The words are quiet.

Low.

The same voice he used in the hotel room.

Every bit of amusement leaves my system immediately.

Ash sees it happen. The slight shift in posture. The way my smile disappears. The way my attention sharpens. His expression changes.

Only slightly.

Just enough.

I point at him. “That isn't fair.”

“What isn't?”

“You know exactly what you're doing.”

“Do I?”

I hate how calm he sounds. I hate how much I like it.

Ash takes a step forward. Then another. The distance disappears before I fully register it. My back bumps lightly against the sink counter.

My pulse immediately speeds up. “Ash.”

His name comes out quieter than I intended. For a second neither of us says anything. The tension stretches between us. Then Ash reaches up and hooks a finger beneath my chin. The gesture is simple.

My stomach immediately flips.

“Still think this is funny?”

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. That seems to answer his question. A small smile appears.

Then he's kissing me. The kiss starts brief. Almost cautious. A warning. A question.

The second my hand closes around the front of his shirt, something changes. Ash makes a quiet sound low in his throat and kisses me again. Harder this time. The world narrows instantly. The bar disappears. The possibility of somebody walking through that door disappears.

His tongue explores my mouth as his hands slide into the back pockets of my jeans, squeezing my ass. I moan, my hand wrapping around the back of his neck to pull him closer.

All I can focus on is Ash. The certainty in him. The confidence. The way he always seems completely in control. My heart is beating so hard I'm surprised he can't hear it.

When the kiss finally breaks, neither of us moves very far. We're still standing too close. Still breathing the same air. Still looking at each other.

I know my face is red. I probably look ridiculous.

Ash doesn't seem bothered by either fact. His gaze drifts upward. Toward my ears. Something softens in his expression. A look so brief I almost miss it.

“I like these.”