Then he broke the kiss, his forehead resting against hers as he caught his breath. “I should say I’m sorry,” he murmured. “This isn’t the time to make things more complicated.”
Avery shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t apologize. Nothing about this is simple.”
She reached for him before he could step back, her fingers curling in his shirt, and pulled him close again. Their lips met,slower this time but no less intense, a promise more than a question.
Whatever came next, they’d already crossed a line neither of them wanted to undo.
Chapter Seventeen
Avery’s mouth came to his, and for Jackson, the world tilted on its axis. The kiss consumed him. Burned right through him. And it made him only want more, more, more.
But more could be a big mistake.
He couldn’t help himself. His hand lifted, slowly, giving her every chance to step back. When she didn’t, he brushed his thumb across her cheek, sweeping away the dirt and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin was impossibly soft.
“Avery,” he breathed.
She surged forward and kissed him again.
Her mouth was on his, hungry and demanding, and Jackson forgot how to think. His arms banded around her, pulling her against him despite the bulk of their vests, needing her closer. She tasted so good, like a mix of birthday and Christmas all rolled into one, and when her fingers tangled in his hair, something inside him snapped.
He walked her backward until she hit the wall, swallowing her gasp. His hands found her waist, fingers slipping under the hem of her shirt to touch bare skin. God, she was warm and real and right here.
When he finally tore his mouth away to breathe, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Tell me to stop,” he said, even though stopping might actually kill him.
“Don’t you dare.”
Heat flooded through him at her words, at the fire in her eyes. He kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring weeks of want and restraint into it. Her hands found his jacket zipper,yanking it down, and he shrugged out of it quickly before helping her with hers.
The Kevlar vests were next. They fumbled with the straps between kisses, and when the heavy weight finally fell away, Jackson groaned at the feeling of her body against his with one less barrier between them.
His hands mapped the curves of her waist, her ribs, memorizing every dip and plane through the thin fabric of her shirt. He wanted to touch every inch of her, wanted to make up for all the times he’d held himself back.
“Bedroom?” he managed, his voice rougher than he’d ever heard it.
“Yes.”
He laced his fingers through hers and still kissing, he led her down the hallway, his heart hammering. In the bedroom, the rain had painted everything gray, and when he turned to face her again, Avery looked almost otherworldly in that light.
Jackson cupped her face in both hands, needing to be sure. “You’re sure?”
“Are you sure?” she countered, and she glanced down at his leg.
“Trust me, an injury isn’t going to stop me.” And that was true. Hell, even if it hurt, being with her would be worth it.
Her answer was to pull him into a kiss that made his knees weak, her hands sliding under his shirt, nails scraping lightly against his abs. He groaned into her mouth, his control going south with every touch.
He found the hem of her shirt and slowly lifted it up and over her head, reverent despite the urgency thrumming through his veins. She did the same for him, and when her fingertips traced the scar on his ribs, he shivered.
They tumbled onto the bed together. Jackson settled his weight over her, careful not to crush her, and mapped the curveof her neck with his lips, tasting the salt of her skin. Her hands roamed his back, pulling him closer, and he’d never felt anything as perfect as this moment.
“I’ve wanted this,” he murmured against her collarbone, his fingers working the button of her jeans. “Wanted you. For so damn long.”
“Then have me,” she whispered, arching beneath him.
Jackson lifted his head to look at her—flushed and beautiful and choosing him—and something in his chest cracked wide open. He took his time after that, savoring every sigh, every touch, every whispered word. The rest of the world could wait. Right now, there was only Avery, finally his.
Her jeans joined his on the floor, followed by the rest of their clothes until there was nothing between them. Jackson paused, drinking her in. Every curve, every freckle, the trust shining in her eyes. She was stunning, and she was here with him.
