Page 45 of That Kiss

“Not arrogant, self-aware . . . and not presumptuous if it’s true.”

“Let’s put it to the test then.” I’ve completely lost all sense of where we are. The others are focused on going over their duties and responsibilities, and the only thing Deck and I can seem to focus on is each other. “Give me your worst.”

“Here?” I nod. “And how are you going to prove it to me?”

“Um.” Shit, didn’t think that through. “You’ll just have to trust me.”

He grabs me around the waist, pulling me behind a curtained area and away from prying eyes. Before I can register what’s happening, he’s standing over me, his lips coming in to hover over mine as his hand slides around my waist, tugging me toward him. My breath comes out in a puff when I hit his chest, his hand continuing up my back and around my nape. He grips me tightly, his other hand reaching down between us till he reaches his belt buckle. The sound it makes when he undoes it has me gone. My eyes flutter and a small moan is on the tip of my tongue when I hear the zipper.

“You win! You win,” I pant the words, begging for relief from this torture.

“That’s what I thought.” He does himself back up. “Just the suggestion of what I can do to that little body of yours has you wanting to fall to your knees and beg me, doesn’t it?” He’s not even touching me now, just stretching his arm above me, leaning against the wall behind me. “Now you know how I feel every fucking second of every fucking day being around you.”

We’re centimeters apart now, our breath mingling as we both resist leaning in the rest of the way. It’s a delicious agony that I don’t want to end, but I know I can’t hold out much longer.

“Now pay up.”

“With what?” My teeth sink into my bottom lip at the thought of him putting his hands down my panties.

He doesn’t say anything—just lifts his finger to his lips and presses it against them in a hushing motion. He glances to his right to make sure we’re still out of anyone’s line of sight before dropping down to his knees. He reaches both of his hands beneath my maxi dress, careful not to touch me other than hooking his thumbs into the waistband of my panties. I gasp when he begins to slowly slide them over my ass and down my thighs, his eyes never leaving mine.

I step out of them when they reach my ankles, and he immediately brings them to his nose, inhaling my scent. The pink lace crumples in his hand as his knuckles turn white around them. He closes his eyes, his jaw flexing as he buries his nose in them one more time before sliding them into his pocket and returning to his feet.

“Have a good night, sweetheart.” He presses his lips against my temple, his hand at my waist. “I’d recommend not sitting down for the rest of the night; you’re going to leave a wet mark.”

Chapter 19

Decker

“You seriously don’t go to the gym?”

“Nope.” I hand the woman’s change back to her with a smile.

“Your wife is one lucky lady.” She looks over at Juniper, who’s watching us. “Am I right?” She giggles and Juniper just smiles. She lets her hand linger on mine when she takes the bills before slowly turning around and walking away.

“I should have had you working the tent years ago!” Bernice laughs at the way the woman stares at me. “Could have made a killing.”

“You already make a killing, Bernice. The brewery donates these kegs.”

“True.” She grabs my bicep. “She’s right, though. How do you get this big without pumping iron night and day?”

“You keep me busy lifting these kegs.”

“Oh, Deck, you kill me.” She slaps my arm, running her hands over me one more time. “I need to run back and see how things are going at the bar. I’ll be back later.” Bernice waves and takes off out of the tent. I look up to see Juniper watching Bernice and me with a smile on her face.

“I’m not sure I realized just how much the ladies like to flirt with you.”

“Feeling threatened? Want to mark your territory?” I hoist an empty keg onto my shoulder.

“I don’t recall claiming you as my territory.”

“Hmm, well, you’re my territory, darlin’, and I’ve only got about another day in me before I’m gonna mark you.”

“Is that a threat?”

I toss the empty keg onto the others and walk toward her with determination. “Yes, I told you before that I don’t enjoy games, but I’m letting you get it out of your system before you come crawling back to me.”

“Shift change!” Tyson, one of the mechanics from the garage, pops into the tent with Noah. “Bernice said your four hours are up for today and she sent us to take over for you guys.”

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