Page 41 of No Good Fight

“You’re freezing.” The explanation is brief but true. I don’t mention that I love the idea of seeing her in my clothes. Or anything else that’s going through my mind.

Alex shakes her head slightly, but I can see the indecision warring on her face. “I’m damp. There’s a difference.”

“You’re barefoot on wet grass.” I counter.

Instead of stepping either closer or further away, Alex wiggles her toes. “My footwear choices are between me and the universe.”

“The universe thinks you need socks.”

That gets me the smallest twitch of her mouth. I step closer and put the jacket over her shoulders, slow enough that she can move away and avoid me if she wants to. She doesn’t. Her hands catch the front of it, fingers curling into the fabric before she looks up at me.

The air changes between us, filled with an electrical charge.

I hate that I notice every tiny shift, and I hate more that I want her to notice mine.

Her gaze drops to my shirt, then to my throat. “You smell like smoke again.”

“Long day.”

“Was it bad?”

The Miller Street living room flashes in my head. The woman’s split lip. The man’s smile.

“Yeah.”

Alex’s teasing slips for a second. She sees more than I mean to give her, and her hand lifts before she stops herself. Not far. Barely an inch. Still, I track the movement like it’s the only thing happening in the world.

“You can touch me,” I say before I can stop myself.

Her eyes snap to mine.

I shouldn’t have said it. Not like that.

Her cheeks color despite the cold. “I wasn’t⁠—”

“I know.” But I want her to.

With a roll of her eyes, Alex chuckles lightly. “That is such an obnoxious answer.”

“It’s the only one I’ve got.”

She exhales through her nose, annoyed and flustered and alive in front of me. I reach up and catch a wet strand of hair stuck to the corner of her mouth. My fingers brush her cheek when I move it away.

Alex stops breathing.

I don’t.

I’m not that disciplined.

Her skin is cold from the rain. Her mouth is soft and parted, and for one second I let myself wonder what she’d do if I bent my head right here beside the utility panel and the wet grass and the ugly brick building that has no idea I’m ready to tear it apart for failing her. Just one taste.

I drop my hand because there’s no way in hell I’d be able to stop at one kiss.

Alex’s throat works as she looks away. “Do you ever sleep?” She changes the subject masterfully.

“Depends on the night.” I tell her honestly. “Some more than others.” God, I want to let her in so badly, but I know I’m fucking it up.

“And last night?”