Page 38 of The Marriage Mission

"I'm my boss."

He raised his brows.

She bit her lip.

He tracked the movement. "Spend the day with me."

"You have work to do, too."

"I finished the wiring job last night."

Something sank in her belly. He was done. He had no reason to stay.

"I saw some other repairs I want to make after I finish with your sister's bakery. But they're not urgent."

"How much are you going to charge me for those?"

"One day off," he said each word deliberately like it was its own sentence. "With your husband. The more you hesitate, the more interest I'm going to charge you."

"Interest?"

He nodded solemnly. "One kiss for every hesitation."

Her lips parted.

Noah moved closer. He moved slowly, giving her the opportunity to back away. Or to say no. Jacqui did neither.

The corner of his mouth lifted higher with each inch as he came closer. His approach was deliberate and unhurried, giving her every chance to back away or to voice any objections. The familiar scent of him—clean soap mixed with a hint of citrus from his cologne—filled her senses. Jacqui found herself rooted to the spot, anticipation tingling across her skin.

"Why do you want to kiss me, Noah?"

"Because I didn't get to dessert last night."

When Noah was just a breath away, he paused, his eyes searching hers for any sign of reluctance. Jacqui consciously held herself still. She kept her features as they were, not wanting to show him any sign that she didn't want what was about to happen.

Noah got the hint. But he didn't pounce. He continued his slow assault.

He leaned in, his breath mingling with hers, a prelude to the promised kiss. Jacqui closed her eyes, the world narrowing down to the sensation of his breath on her face, warm and slightly uneven, as if he were just as affected by this moment as she was.

Then his lips met hers. Soft and tentative at first, as if he was savoring the moment before deepening the kiss. The sensation was electric, sparking a warmth that radiated through her entire body. His lips were gentle yet insistent, moving against hers in a rhythm that felt achingly familiar. The taste of him was just as intoxicating. So much so that it drew a soft moan from her throat.

Noah's hands found her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them, his touch firm yet tender. She could just make out the faint sounds of the world around them—the distant chirping of birds, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was all drowned out by the rushing of blood in her ears and the thudding of her heart.

The kiss deepened, and Jacqui's senses were overwhelmed by him. The feel of his strong hands steadying her. The sight of his eyelashes fluttering closed just before their lips met again, and then again. The sound of a soft sigh that escaped him as he pressed her more tightly against his chest.

Reluctantly breaking the kiss, Jacqui opened her eyes to find Noah watching her. There was a satisfied look on his face. Yet there was also a question in his eyes.

"You got your dessert," she said.

"What if I want more?"

Breathless and a little dazed, Jacqui reached up to touch her lips, still tingling from his kiss. In answer to his question, she nodded her head. This time it was Jacqui who dipped her head to meet his mouth. But before she could take hold of his lips, the doorbell rang.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Noah tapped out a rhythmic beat on the steering wheel. Better that he take out his frustration on his car than reach over and claim his wife like he truly wanted to do. Though he was now convinced that she just might possibly not rebuff his advances. Maybe?

Beside him in the passenger seat, Jacqui sat glancing out the window. Her hair was loose and down around her shoulders. She wore a sundress that hugged those curves that had lain snuggled up against Noah in the midnight hours on the couch last night. Her fingers absently tugged at her lower lip—an unconscious gesture that spoke volumes about her lingering thoughts on their unfinished kiss just an hour ago.

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