Page 46 of Sweet and Salty

I don’t know what to say so I don’t hurt her and don’t piss off the US Marshal Service. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” Her face shutters, like she’s been rejected before, and it fucking stings like I’m strolling through a mob of angry hornets.

I take both of her hands in mine. “I can’t be honest with you. You deserve someone who can give you that.”

“Why can’t you be honest with me?”

“Because there’s stuff in my past that I can’t talk about.” Ugh, that sounds awful, like I’m a serial killer.

Her eyebrow twitches. “Are you a murderer? Mobster on the run?”

Ouch. That cuts it close. “No. I got into some trouble a while ago, and it’s made me gun-shy.” That’s nice and vague, hopefully enough to let her down easy.

But Laura doesn’t back away. She steps forward until her glorious tits press against my chest. “Tell me something honest, then.”

“You’re beautiful.” It’s the only thing I can think of to say, and it makes her laugh. Her body undulates against mine, making it very difficult—nigh impossible, really—to remember why it is I’m not supposed to kiss Laura Marshall.

Did I say I was maybe a little in love with her? Lies, all lies. I’m two thousand percent gone.

“Something about yourself.” Her voice is almost a purr, and it does intriguing things to my cock.

I swallow, but my mouth is dry. All the blood in my body has rushed to my heart and my cock. “I’m not with anyone. I’m single, I mean. I’ve never been very good at casual relationships, though.”

“Me neither.” She loops her arms around my neck and pulls me toward her. “Ma always told me the best way to learn is to practice. I’m not looking for anything long term. I know you’rejust passing through here, and the world holds more for you than St. Olaf can offer.”

This also activates the alarm bells in my head, but they’re dampened by my raging lust for this gorgeous, voluptuous woman. Why am I thinking about dragons? This is fucking Wisconsin. It’s badgers if it’s anything.

She pulls my face even closer to hers, her lips too close and yet never close enough. “I’m not looking for forever. But what about just for tonight? Don’t we both deserve a little fun?”

Then she kisses me, not tentatively, but like I’m a craving she’s been denying herself for far too long. Every single reason why this is a terrible idea promptly flees my mind, because I’m flooded withLaura.Her scent, her taste. All so much better than I ever imagined.

I’m definitely going to a very special hell, the one reserved for people who embezzle from mom-and-pop small businesses or medical insurance companies that prioritize profits over people.

But as I kiss her, pressing her against the door, claiming her mouth, all I can think isWorth it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Laura

Holy heck,Jesse can kiss. It isn’t merely a kiss—it’s a whole-body sensual experience. I fist my hands in his shirt, drawing him as close to me as I can. No matter where he is, it isn’t enough. I need him inside me, body and soul.

It’s just this one night, Laura, my good-girl, people-pleaser brain reminds me. I can do it. Daphne does it. Frannie does it. I can be a one-night stand kind of person, especially if the sex is half as good as this kiss.

Somehow, one of us unlocks the door and then we’re in the foyer of my house. His suit jacket drops off his shoulders and his hands go to the deep V-shaped neckline of my dress.

“Is this okay?” he whispers into my ear, kissing a line of fire down my neck. “I’ve been dreaming about your amazing breasts. Seriously, Laura. What goddess made you?”

Something low in my core melts. While there are parts of my body I haven’t yet learned to love, I’ve always appreciated my breasts. Moving backward toward the staircase, I pull the top ofmy dress down to my waist, appreciating his inhale as he stares down at the upper half of my body.

“You are so perfect. Thinking about your body keeps me awake at night.” He bends down, pushes the bra cup aside, and sucks my nipple into his mouth.

All rational thought flees. All of my personal insecurities vanish as he ministers to my breast, rolling the nipple around in his mouth. All I am, is sensation.

“Bedroom,” I croak. “Upstairs.”

“I remember.” His husky voice is a mushroom cloud of pleasure against my skin.

Jesse leans me back into a soul-crushing kiss. He takes my hand and pulls me beside him up the stairs. I don’t care that I’m half-naked. I don’t care that at some point soon he’s going to see my Spanx and everything underneath them.

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