Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“What stopped you?”
“You hate being kissed without permission,” he replied frankly. “I wasn’t sure you wanted that.” He drew in a deep breath. “Because that dress is so fucking spectacular on you, and I don’t want to ruin it. I need to have a proper shower before I touch you. I want you to wear it for me again. When I take you out on a real date.”
I was so shocked at his words, I was barely able to speak.
“A date?” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“Um…”
He frowned. “Will you let me take you out?”
“We’re not going to the bar for the pasta special, are we?”
He threw back his head in laughter. “No, Pixie. I promise you something so much better than pasta night.”
“Okay, then.”
“Good. Now, this is what is going to happen. You go and chat to Martha or someone safe. I’m going to go and have a hot, soapy shower so I don’t get you dirty when I touch you.”
I tilted my head. “I like it when you get me dirty,” I whispered.
He shut his eyes. “Pixie, I’ve had a hard-on ever since I walked in here and saw you in that dress. Don’t tempt me. I’m hanging on by a thread.”
I grinned at him. “Do you have private showers?”
He pulled a hand through his hair. “Jesus,” he muttered. “Just what I need—getting written up for having sex with my girlfriend in the station.”
I felt a shiver at the word girlfriend. I’d never been called that before.
“Okay, I’ll stay down here. Hurry back.”
“As fast as I can,” he assured me. “But I’m going to have to find a quiet spot. I need to kiss you and ask you to forgive me for my behavior.”
“I already did.”
His eyes softened, a smile playing on his lips. “I still want that kiss.”
“I’ll give you two.”
“I’ll be right back.” He lifted his hand as if to touch me, then pulled back. I grabbed it and pressed a quick kiss to his knuckles. He touched a finger to my mouth and turned, hurrying away.
He was as good to watch leave as he was to arrive.
Chapter Twenty-Five
CASEY
Iwandered around, chatting to a few people. Mark and Linda waved me over, and we talked for a bit. Mark grinned at me. “I saw the goliath storming your way earlier.”
“Um, yeah. He, ah, wanted to tell me something.”
“Probie said he was marking his territory.”
I felt my cheeks redden. I really didn’t know what Thorne wanted me to say—or not to say—about us.
Linda slapped his arm. “Stop it. You’re embarrassing the girl.” She smiled at me. “I think it’s great you and Jesse are together. He looks happy.”
“Thanks.”
I saw Cal and Lori waving, so I excused myself and went over to say hi to him. He was friendly as usual, chatting and laughing. He looked over my shoulder with a huff. “Dammit. I told him not to come. Excuse me.”
I turned and saw Chris sauntering our way. He was leering at me, and it gave me the creeps. I excused myself and rounded the corner, where there were only a few people. I looked at the various displays and stopped in front of a wall of recognition exhibit. I wasn’t surprised to see Jesse’s picture in several spots.
“So, you do have a dress,” a snide voice spoke.
I rolled my eyes, turning to find Chris standing behind me.
“Go away, Chris. I have nothing to say to you.”
“So I’m not good enough to get dressed up for, but you fix yourself up to come here. Hoping to land a firefighter? Someone worthy of your efforts?”
I had no desire to listen to him. I turned to leave, but he made the mistake of grabbing my upper arm, stopping me. “You reject me, then you send some ape after me?”
What was he talking about?
“Let me go.”
Chris narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth, but another voice spoke first.
“You heard the lady. Let her go or I will remove your hand, and I can’t guarantee it’ll remain attached to your body when I do.”
Jesse’s tone was furious. Barely restrained violence dripped from his words. Chris looked over his shoulder and froze. “Shit.”
Jesse strode toward us, his fists clenched, his shoulders back, ready for a fight. His shirt clung to his arms, his face set in anger. Fury rolled off him.
Chris let me go, stepping away quickly. Jesse kept coming, and Chris pressed himself to the wall, almost sniveling. Jesse stopped inches from him. “What did I tell you?”
“To, ah, stay away from her.”
“Do you not understand English?”
“Y-yes. We were just talking.” His gaze flew to mine, pleading.
I crossed my arms, the red imprint of his hand showing.
“It looked like you were hurting her. Threatening her. That makes me very unhappy,” Jesse said. “Very unhappy.”
“Oh dear,” I muttered. “When he’s unhappy, it’s sort of like the Hulk. Look out.”
“I’ll leave,” Chris whined. “I’ll go, and you’ll never see me again.”