Page 14 of Tactically Tied

Jami burst through the courthouse doors. Her heart was pounding in her chest like it was trying to escape. It was trying to escape, but not in the direction she was going. Her heart was pounding not against her ribcage but against her back. It wanted to get back to Jed. Jami ignored the stupid organ and pushed forward.

The sunlight hit her full force, but it was nothing compared to the heat still burning on her lips. Her fingers kept brushing against them, testing the heat, feeling the imprint of his kiss.

She’d stood in Italy, next to some of the finest pizza ovens in the world, their heat radiating off the stone, crisping dough to perfection. She’d even traveled to China, where pizza was first born, but none of it—none of that legendary heat—compared to what she felt from Jed Winchester’s kiss.

This wasn’t just like standing near the oven—it was like being inside it, with the flames licking at her skin, warming her from the inside out. Nothing in her culinary journey had ever sparked this kind of fire.

Her mind raced as she scanned the parking lot. She needed to get away. But there was a small problem.

Her car wasn’t here.

She’d sold the car years ago to pay for one of her overseas adventures, back when traveling had been the only thing that mattered. She had walked to the courthouse this morning, convinced she could sneak back to Jacqui’s unnoticed after marrying Ryan. But now, after that kiss with Jed, there was no sneaking anywhere.

The heat still simmered inside her. Jami felt like it was about to bubble over. All she wanted was some space. Some air.

She set off on foot, her legs carrying her away from the courthouse with long, determined strides. Her mind whirred, replaying the moment over and over—Jed’s hands warm and firm on her waist, the way he had wrapped her up like he never intended to let her go. And that kiss… God, that kiss. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a declaration. One that left her feeling far more rattled than she was willing to admit.

As she walked, the late morning breeze ruffled her hair, a welcome contrast to the furnace blazing inside her. She’d been heading toward Jacqui’s, but she quickly realized the restaurant was closer. She could hide out there, regroup, figure out what she’d just done. Before she could make it far, she heard the hum of a car engine pulling up beside her.

"Get in, Jami."

She didn’t even look at him. She kept walking, her pace quickening as if she could outrun the heat spreading across her cheeks.

"Jami," Jed called again, this time with a hint of amusement in his tone. "Get in the car."

She shook her head, still refusing to meet his eyes. Her fingers brushed against her lips again, as if to remind herself of the chaos he’d caused.

"No."

Jed kept driving slowly beside her, the car creeping along the sidewalk at an almost ridiculous pace. Cars behind him began to honk, frustrated at his slow pace. Jed didn’t seem to care.

"You're going to cause a traffic jam," she muttered, keeping her eyes on the pavement in front of her. She was not getting in that car. Not after what had just happened. Being near him again? Not a chance. Her heart was still pounding from the kiss, her body still flushed with heat.

"Then get in and help clear the road," Jed replied with a chuckle. "Come on, Jami. You’re walking in the heat. It's only going to get hotter."

It was fall, sweater weather. The air was brisk. But she knew what he meant. Jed Winchester knew exactly how he was affecting her.

"No," she said firmly, still walking. "I need to… think."

Jed sighed, exasperated but amused. “Is this how it's going to be between us, my darling wife?"

That stopped her cold. Jami turned to him then. His darling wife? Why did that endearment cause her to get equally hot and cold at the same time?

Jed must have seen it because he smiled that devilish smile at her.

Jami turned away and picked up her pace.

"Just get in.”

She shook her head, setting an even faster pace. "I can’t be near you right now, Jed."

"Why not?" Jed leaned out of the car window. "Afraid you’ll like it?"

Her heart skipped a beat, causing her feet to trip. But she steadied herself and kept walking, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how flustered she really was.

Of course, she liked it. That was the problem.

The cars behind him honked again, louder this time. Longer, too. Jed glanced in his rearview mirror, then back at her with a sigh. "You’re making a scene, you know."

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