“The storm system’s a few hours out, and I’m exhausted.” My shoulder throbs in agreement, though that’s not exactly what’s making my pulse jump. “I think I should lie down for a bit. Jonah, can you help me inside?”
Lucas frowns. “But I was hoping to get some footage of you two setting up?—”
“Lucas,” I cut in, flashing my sweetest smile, “would you mind taking Max for a walk? He’s been cooped up and could use it.” I glance at the golden retriever. “Right, buddy?”
Max’s tail starts wagging immediately, and Lucas reluctantly takes the leash I offer.
Jonah looks between us, confused. “I thought we were going to review the radar data before?—”
“Just go with it,” I murmur, leaning in so only he can hear. I give him a pointed look, hoping he picks up what I’m not saying out loud.
It takes a second, but then it clicks. His posture shifts, realization settling in.
“Right,” he adds, clearing his throat. “Rest. Very important.”
Lucas glances between us, realization spreading across his face like a sunrise. “Oh, I see how it is.” He grins, wiggling his eyebrows in a way that makes me want to smack him. “You’re saddling me with the dog while you two…”
“Lucas,” Jonah growls again.
“Yeah, we’re going to go. We’ll be back soon.”
I’m practically dragging Jonah inside, my good hand locked around his wrist as I pull him through the motel lobby. My shoulder throbs with each quick step, but I couldn’t care less right now. The elevator seems miles away, and I jab the button with more force than necessary.
“Lila, slow down. Your shoulder?—”
“Is fine,” I cut him off, watching the numbers above the elevator with impatience. When the doors finally slide open, I tug him inside and press our floor number, then immediately turn to face him.
“That growly voice thing?” I say, backing him against the elevator wall. “We’re going to explore that more thoroughly.”
“Here? In the elevator?”
I laugh, pressing closer. “I’m injured, not an exhibitionist. But the second we get to our room...”
The elevator dings, and I reluctantly step back, leading him down the hallway with determined strides. My heartbeat hammers in my ears as I fumble with the key card, cursing my injured arm that makes everything take twice as long.
“Let me,” Jonah says, taking the card from my fingers. His hands are steady as he unlocks the door, but I can see the rapid rise and fall of his chest, the slight tremor in his movements.
The door swings open, and I waste no time pulling him inside. As soon as it clicks shut behind us, I pounce.
JONAH
I barely havetime to process what’s happening before Lila has me pressed against the door, her good arm snaking around my neck as she kisses me with an urgency that steals my breath. My hands hover uselessly at my sides for a moment, caught between desire and concern.
“Lila, your shoulder—” I manage to get out between kisses, but she silences me by nipping at my lower lip.
“Forget my shoulder,” she murmurs against my mouth, her fingers already working at the buttons of my shirt withsurprising dexterity for someone with only one functioning arm. “I’ve been thinking about this since the bathtub.”
My brain short-circuits at her words, at the memory of our desperate kiss during the tornado. The rational part of me—the part that cataloged every detail of her medical chart while she was sleeping—can’t fully surrender.
“You’re not fully healed,” I protest weakly, even as my hands find her waist, drawing her closer despite my better judgment. “The doctor said?—”
“The doctor,” Lila says, successfully undoing three buttons and pressing her lips to my newly exposed collarbone, “did not factor in how incredibly hot you are when you go all commanding on Lucas.”
I feel heat flood my face. “I wasn’t?—”
“You were.” Her teeth graze my neck, and I have to stifle a groan. “And I’m going to need you to do it again. Preferably with fewer clothes.”
My entire body feels like it’s on fire as Lila’s mouth traces a path along my collarbone. Every rational thought dissolves under her touch.
