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“It’s only a matter of time until I figured out what happened that night, Arizona.” Instead of sounding like a threat, it sounded like a plea. “I shouldn’t even have told you this.”
“Why did you?” My words were so soft I doubted he heard me until he answered.
“The same reason I hid the tape in my locker instead of immediately putting it into evidence.” Jack’s mouth moved back over mine. “You.”
This time, his kiss was hard and hungry. I was growing warm, uncomfortably warm. My palms burned, and the scent of ozone, clean but pungent, tickled my nose. I blinked furiously as the surrounding air seemed to shimmer like a heatwave on the hot pavement during summer. The only sound I could hear was that of blood rushing in my ears.
Letting go of my hands, he grabbed my butt, lifting me off my feet. I wrapped my hands around him as he slammed me against the hallway wall, grinding his erection against my core through both our clothes. Clutching his shoulders, I clung to him, unsure if this might be the only time.
“Why can’t I get you off my mind? Why did I have to fight the urge to be near you? Why haven’t I been able to sleep since you opened your front door? Why can’t I walk away from you?”
He asked each question between each breath-stealing kiss, and I couldn’t have answered even if I’d wanted. How could I explain something I didn’t fully understand myself?
Somewhere in the fog of my mind, I knew we needed to stop, that someone could decide to use the bathroom and find us at any moment. But no sooner would I think it than the thought would slip through my grasp, and I would be lost to Jack’s touch again.
Jack’s fingers found their way under my shirt to explore the bare skin of my back, leaving a trail of fire everywhere he touched.
This has to stop. You know she’s hiding something, Jack. Pull yourself together and do your job.
How weird. I never called myself ‘Jack.’ It took a moment for my lust-addled brain to realize I heard Jack’s thoughts, not my own.
Hold the carrier pigeon, the phone, and the internet.
Hearing Rez and Zon was one thing. They were magical beasts. Jack wasn’t. Although he was feeling pretty magical, pressed up against my body and turning me into a needy mess. But if I could hear his voice…
Zon grabbed the back of Jack’s collar, hauling him away from me. Rez caught me from sliding down the wall and carefully tucked me behind him, out of Jack’s line of sight.
“I’m glad you two are getting along so well, but this is probably not the best place to become better acquainted,” Rez spoke, amusement thick in his voice.
“I’m sorry, man. I know she’s your—” Jack’s eyes flicked between Rez and Zon. “Your girl. I never lose control like that.”
“We’re her men.” Rez emphasized the word ‘her.’ It was a distinction that I didn’t think Jack would understand, but I did. Jack hadn’t meant anything by it, but Rez was making it clear that they didn’t consider me their property, and therefore Jack’s apology meant little to them.
I really needed to get it through their minds that we could belong to each other, without actually ‘owning’ each other like a piece of furniture.
But what if I want to? Rez’s question was a featherlight whisper in my mind.
I shouldn’t like it when he said things like that, but I did. Butterflies took flight inside me, and my chest warmed. You keep saying things like that, and I’m going to fall in love with you.
I meant my words to be a teasing retort, but Rez shuddered before every muscle in his body grew stiff.
“Rez?” I elbowed him gently. Peaking around Rez’s body, I caught sight of Zon’s wide eyes and slack jaw. His shock was replaced by wild-eyed panic.
“We have to go.” Zon scooped me up, tossing me over his shoulder, while shoving Rez out the door in front of us.
“But—” I tried to protest.
“Now is not the time,” Zon spoke, voice strained. “Keep your eyes on the ground, Arizona.”
“We need to pay!” I wiggled on his shoulder as we passed our table, trying to get Zon to set me down so I could pay the bill.
Rez rested his hand on the tabletop for a brief second as he strode by it. When he lifted his hand, money lay on the table.
“How did you do that?” I hissed quietly, darting a look around the restaurant to see if anyone had noticed.
“Eyes down, Arizona,” Zon growled through clenched teeth.
Hurt flashed through me. It was one thing being ordered to obey when we were being intimate. Having him treat me as less than an equal outside of that hurt more than I cared to admit.
