Page 38 of High Intensity

“Oh wow. This is really good.”

To emphasize, she moans as she licks the tempura crumbs off her fingers and lips.

I’m starting to realize the sounds people make in appreciation of good food, and those made in the throes of passion, are not that different. Or maybe that’s just Jillian making those noises. As satisfying as sharing good food with her is, it leaves me hungry for other things.

I’m thinking at this point it’s almost inevitable, my body is definitely committed, but my mind still throws out faint objections, even as I lean over the table and kiss her shiny lips.

For all intents and purposes, it’s an innocent kiss, but that doesn’t stop the groan rumbling in my chest at the feel of those lips molding to mine. The temptation is strong to haul her across the table, but I resist.

There’s no need to rush. If we are to pursue anything, I want to make sure we’re on the same page every step of the way. A quick fling is not a good idea when we live and work and move in the same circles. Not that I believe for one minute a quick fling would be enough for me.

“Wow, again,” she mumbles, when I release her mouth and sit back down again. “That was really good too.”

She blushes a little when she says that, or maybe the blush is from the kiss, but either way, I like her straightforwardness.

“Agreed.”

Then I shove another piece of tuna nigiri in my mouth.

“I was married,” she suddenly volunteers out of the blue, lifting her eyes to mine. “I believe in full disclosure. Especially if that kiss is going where I think…hope…it might. We live in a small community, hang out in the same circles. I think transparency is important.”

I like her direct approach. No games, no playing coy, just laying the cards on the table.

This conversation is a bit of a departure from the casual sharing of our days. Jillian just finished telling me how Hayley woke up today but still seems out of it, not really talking. However, having Nugget there for a few hours seemed to calm her down, so Jillian is taking him back to the hospital tomorrow.

Now I have the shape of her mouth branded on my lips, and we’re talking relationships.

Surprisingly, I don’t feel the urge to bolt out the door.

“I’m good with transparency,” I find myself responding.

She nods before continuing, “Chris and I ended things five years ago and our divorce was final the year after. It was a fairly amicable split and I’ve mostly stayed to myself since.”

“I’ve never been married,” I reciprocate. “Never really had a long-term relationship. Mostly due to the unpredictability of my work, which also required me to move around quite a bit. Ithink you already know I was a federal agent before joining the HMT team. But, if I’m honest, I’ve kinda liked my autonomy as a bachelor.”

“Past tense?” she asks.

The blush on her cheeks is back, but her eyes on mine are unwavering. My mouth quirks with a smile. Jillian is not only being direct; she’s making it clear she expects the same from me and won’t put up with ambiguous statements.

“I’m not sure it has much to do with the wish to remain a bachelor, but rather with meeting someone who makes you want more than the singular existence you’ve clung onto for forty-three years.”

I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.

“There’s a reason I wanted to see you tonight. I mean, not that there has to be a reason, but Jonas is sending Jackson and me out of town to deliver some horses tomorrow, which means we’ll be leaving early and coming home late.”

“Okay?” She makes it sound more as a question than a statement, and I realize I may need to clarify.

“For someone who’s always valued his independence, it seemed interesting I suddenly felt the need to letyouknow where I would be.”

Her pretty mouth spreads into a smile.

“You’re right, that is pretty interesting.”

“That said…” I push myself up from the table. “We need to hit the road at five, and have a long day ahead of us, so I probably should get home and grab some sleep.”

“Of course.”

She gets up and follows me to the door, where I stop and turn.

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