Page 62 of Resurgent

His hand remains firm against my hip, keeping me balanced as I laugh off the embarrassment.

I let my fingers settle against his forearm.

Gods.

His sleeves are rolled to his elbows, revealing the familiar strength in his arms. I trail my fingertips lightly over the muscle beneath his skin, forcing myself to keep the movement slow and casual.

Like I've done this before.

Like this isn't my best friend.

His eyes flick down to my hand.

Then back to my face.

"You okay with this?" he asks quietly.

The question twists something in my chest.

Not because he assumes, but because he asks.

I swallow hard. "Yeah."

His grip softens just enough to tell me he heard the hesitation. Still...His attention never truly wavers as his gaze keeps drifting over my shoulder, scanning exits, watching reflections in bottles behind the bar.

He's still working, but I need him distracted. Now.

Before I can lose my nerve, I reach up, slide my hand lightly against the side of his jaw before wrapping behind his neck, and close the remaining distance.

Our lips meet, and he freezes for the briefest instant, caught completely off guard by the stranger throwing herself at him.

Then, instead of immediately pulling away, he kisses me back.

Gentle and questioning.

My pulse pounds against my ribs.

Sorry, Mattey.

I deepen the kiss by the smallest fraction, my thumb brushing along his cheek while my other hand slips unnoticed between us.

Two fingers find the opening of his jeans pocket.

The listening device slides inside.

His hand shifts instinctively at my waist, drawing me a touch closer for one suspended heartbeat.

I break the kiss first, lingering barely long enough for it to seem natural before pulling back with a breathless smile.

The second there's space between us, guilt crashes back into me.

I just kissed Mattey!

Theo's voice suddenly bursts through the communication rune.

"Lee, you're missing absolute chaos over here."

I stare blankly at Matt while Theo continues in the most dramatic voice imaginable.