“Loved,” I correct.
Her smile widens as she gathers up the fork and casserole dish and heads for the door.I open it, then bend to lift her into my arms.
“You don’t have to carry me!”she gasps.
I smile.“Can’t have you getting all dirty.”
The air outside is cool after the rain, and the scent of wet earth and pine fills my lungs as I step carefully across the muddy ground.I don’t even glance down.I know where every dip and slick patch is by memory.
We reach Jem’s car too quickly.I don’t want to put her down, but I do, carefully and slowly, like she’s something fragile, even though I know she’s not.She’s stronger than most people I’ve met, but that doesn’t stop the instinct.
My hands linger on her waist a second longer than they should after her feet hit the ground.Neither of us moves nor speaks.Her eyes lift to mine, and there’s something there, something soft and uncertain, something that makes my chest feel too tight.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
I nod, my throat dry.
Say something!I tell myself.Do something.
Instead, I reach up, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.My fingers skim her cheek, and her breath catches.
That’s all it takes.I lean down, slow enough to give her time to pull away.
She doesn’t.
Her eyes flutter shut as my lips touch hers.The kiss is soft at first, but when I hear Jem moan and feel her lean into me, something in me snaps.
My hands come up, and I cradle her head in my palms, my thumb sliding under her chin and tilting her head just so.My tongue licks against her lips, and she gasps, giving me the opening I was looking for.
Every instinct screams to pull her closer and deepen the kiss until we’re both breathless.I can’t hold back any longer.I might not see her this week or next.What if the next time we’re together is at the wedding in a month?I need to do something so she remembers me.So she misses me.
My tongue flicks against hers, and I groan when her hands tighten on my shirt.She clings to me, her lips moving with mine.When her tongue licks into my mouth, I feel it like a spark straight down my spine.My hand tightens at her waist, and for one second, I almost lose control.
Almost.
I pull back before I can throw her down on the hood of her car and ravage her.We’re both breathing hard, panting as we try to catch our breath.
Jem stares at me, and I lick my lips, still tasting her there.I’m so close to reaching for her again when she takes a step back.She nods at me, and I grit my teeth and nod back.
My cock is like a steel pipe in my pants, and I reach down to adjust it, but there’s no room.Jem’s eyes drop, and her cheeks flame with a blush.
My guys come out from lunch, and I clear my throat, taking another step back.
“Drive safe,” I murmur.“Text me when you get back to work.”
Her eyes snap back to mine, dazed, like she’s still somewhere else.“Okay,” she whispers.
I force myself to step back, even though every part of me wants to pull her against me again.
Jem opens her car door, but before she gets in, she looks at me again, as if she’s trying to figure something out, like maybe she feels it too.
Then she slips into her seat, closing the door gently.I stand there like an idiot, watching as she starts the engine.She gives me a small wave before pulling away.
I don’t move until her car disappears down the road.Only then do I drag a hand through my hair and let out a long breath.
Fuck.This isn’t fake for me.It’s never been fake.
My jaw tightens as I turn toward my office.Nothing about this feels temporary.Nothing about this feels safe.