Page 16 of F Is for Honey Bee

In the beginning, their relationship seemed full of potential, but after only two weeks, it had become toxic due to Flint’s insecurities and jealousy.

Thankfully, Jonah had gotten out of that situation nearly unscathed, at least physically.

“Do you have to work today?” Jonah added a ton of sugar and a splotch of cream to his cup of coffee. He needed his caffeine turbo-charged to start his day.

“Third shift.” Kijani took a drink of his coffee, watching Jonah over the rim.

“What time is that?” Jonah tried to keep the nervousness out of his voice. He didn’t want to think of spending tonight alone. That was where the “nearly” unscathed part mattered. The slight bruise on his arm would heal faster than the one Flint had mentally caused.

Now Jonah really was considering getting a dog. A big, snarly beast that would eat Flint if the guy showed his face again.

“I have to be there by ten.” Kijani set his cup aside. “Would it be okay if I stopped by after my shift?”

“I have to be at work tomorrow morning at seven.” Jonah wasn’t looking forward to seeing Arlo. Despite claiming he wanted to be there for Jonah as a friend, that spark of hope said otherwise.

Was there a neon sign blinking over Jonah’s head that said he was into insecure losers? If so, he wanted to find the damn thing and smash it to pieces.

“I never thanked you for watching over me while I healed,” Kijani said.

Jonah gaped at him. “Like I could say no after you showed up at my door naked and sweaty and crashed on my floor then transformed into a five-ton wolf!”

“I thought I was a ten-ton elephant.” Kijani’s lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. “You’re gonna give me a complex if you keep increasing my weight, honey bee.”

“You can’t deny you’re a ginormous guy,” Jonah argued. “I almost threw my back out trying to help you out of my car.”

“You get an A for effort.” Kijani winked.

“I get an F for...” Jonah paused, searching for the right word.

“Fantastic?” Kijani suggested with a grin.

“Failing to be of any help getting you unstuck.”

“Fierce determination in spite of the odds.” Kijani stepped right in front of him, the smolder in his eyes knocking the breath right out of Jonah. He gently rubbed a few strands of Jonah’s hair between his fingers, the side of his mouth kicked up into a cocky grin.

“Foolish determination,” Jonah whispered. That ache threatened to burn him alive, to plunge him into the depths of very wild and rash decisions. He could no longer remember any damn good reason why he shouldn’t kiss Kijani, shouldn’t give in to the maddening heat between them.

Kijani tucked a finger under Jonah’s jaw then lowered his head slowly, stretching out the moment. As if bewitched, Jonah couldn’t look away. There was so much need, so much longing in those russet eyes, drowning Jonah in them until he felt like he couldn’t breathe.

“Because your honey is an ambrosia to savor,” Kijani said huskily. “A delicacy to indulge in.”

“Your brownie points just hit an epic level,” he murmured.

Kijani’s silky smile demolished Jonah, the touch of his lips a carnal decadence made of pure sin. He pressed a hand against Jonah’s back, coaxing him closer as Kijani’s mouth possessed his, consumed him in a way that left a mark on his soul.

It was a shooting-star first kiss.

An explosion of pure bliss.

A purge of all the pain and misery Jonah had suffered through before this very moment.

Jonah curled his hands into Kijani’s shirt, determined to keep him close as the steady pressure of their lips and swipes of their tongues felt like an uncontrollable firestorm burning between them.

No past.

No shame.

No guilt.

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