Page 36 of Loving at 40

“She is my perfection,” I say, reaching around him to catch her upper arm.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Handsy addresses me, but I’m only watching Jenna, who tugs her arm from my grasp. Her flinch should say it all, but I’m not letting up. My fist lifts, and I’m this close to clocking this guy. This close, until Jenna steps before him.

“What are you doing?” she yells at me, holding up her hands like I’m about to hit her, which I would never, ever do.

“You want him?” I snap, lowering my fist.

Of course she’d want him. Some small-town guy, living a decent life and making an honest wage. He’ll love her right and raise her children, and I’m going to fucking bury him.

“What are you talking about?” she shouts over the music. My eyes search her face. My heart races. Is she trying to bait me? Is she purposely trying to make me jealous? We aren’t even together. So what if I gave her an orgasm or two? I gave them freely. She wants this putz, so be it. Let him get her off.

I wave up my hand. “I’m outta here.” Turning on my heels, I stalk through the crowd, not even needing to force my way as the vibe coming off me reads get the fuck away from me. I press through the front door with a heavy shove and stomp onto the gravel drive.

“Hey,” a feminine voice calls out behind me less than a minute outside. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

I stop and spin, finding Jenna closer than I expected. She halts before bumping into me.

“Oh yeah, ’Locks. Sure you wouldn’t rather talk to him?” Wouldn’t she rather dance with some guy who can? Wouldn’t she rather be with some handsy man who could probably commit to her? Wouldn’t she rather be with some schmuck who can give her everything she needs? She should want those things. I want them for her.

But I don’t want it shoved in my face.

“What do you care?” Jenna snaps.

We glare at one another. My eyes search hers, taking in the depths of that brown, the spark of her anger, and the innocence behind them. Instantly, I remind myself she isn’t Vi. She isn’t playing games. She isn’t trying to bait me into jealousy.

I don’t need to pretend I am because I really am.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I growl back at her, forcing her to step back from me as I lean forward. A new dance begins of her stepping back and me following until her back hits the side of the building after three long strides.

Her eyes hold mine. “You can’t be jealous of him,” she snaps.

“I sure the fuck can,” I huff.

“Why?” Her voice softens but strains. “Why, Archer? I don’t understand you. You’re . . . you’re such a mystery.”

Swiping a hand over my hair, I stare at her. “Too many hard topics.”

“But what does that have to do with tonight? With that guy? With me?”

How can’t she see it? How can’t she feel the pull she has on me?

“You haven’t even kissed me.”

I—What?!

“You wanna be kissed, ’Locks?” I cup her face so fast, her mouth falls open, allowing me the perfect opportunity to crush her mouth with mine, invading the opening with my tongue. My lips sip and suck at hers like she did with that damn tempting ice cream cone the other night. Her mouth is all heat, though, and I crave the warmth as her tongue swirls with mine. My entire body gets into the kiss as I pin her against the building. My lower body presses against her as my fingers delve into her hair, cupping her head. I thrust my hips forward, forcing the bulge in my jeans into the seam of her short shorts while I clutch at the softness of her locks. My ’Locks.

“You don’t think I wanted to kiss you?” I mutter against her mouth, moving down to her chin and scraping my teeth over the hard edge of her jaw. I suck at her neck. “I want to do everything with you, Jenna.”

I want to fuck all the nonsense out of her. Take away that occasional flinch. Settle those wary eyes. Fill her up and watch her explode as she did yesterday. Two times. Give her three. Maybe four.

Hell, I’d be happy to kiss her for an eternity, which is the craziest thought I’ve had since meeting this woman. This incredible woman who’s feisty and protective, sweet and sassy. She’s a good friend, an excellent mother, and this kiss tells me she’d be the best of lovers.

My mouth quickly returns to hers, sucking at the swell of those lips and tangling my tongue with hers. She moans into me, and I swallow the sound, allowing it to curl down my throat and settle in my belly. I want to eat her up and live off her. And this mouth. Her taste. Her sighs.

“Whoa, not seeing anything.”

We part on a gasp at a voice we both recognize. Our breathing is jagged. Our hearts race. Turning our heads, we find Logan standing just outside the bar door, holding up his hands like he’s surrendering to something.