Page 23 of Tactically Tied

“Do you want some?” she asked, her voice breathy, uncertain.

He ignored her question, his eyes fixed on her lips as he asked, “How does it taste?”

Jami's gaze dipped to his mouth, watching the way his lips moved, how they formed each word. Her tongue darted out to wet her own lips, and she saw his eyes darken further.

“It’s delicious,” she admitted.

A slow smile spread across his face. His teeth gleamed under the fluorescent lights of the kitchen. She felt like Little Red Riding Hood, trapped in the wolf’s den. The wolf whose eyes were hungry and focused solely on her.

He was the wolf, and she was his prey. She could feel it in the air, the tension, the way he seemed to be holding himself back, as if he was just waiting for the right moment to pounce.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Jed stood by the kitchen counter, his arms crossed, half-listening to Rick’s rundown of the other couples in the competition. Something about the Smiths struggling with the soufflé challenge and the Garcias nearly setting their stove on fire. He nodded at the right moments, but his attention was elsewhere.

It was fixed on Jami. She was on the other side of the kitchen, intently studying his spice rack. Her brow furrowed as she read each label, her fingers lightly brushing against the small jars.

Jed had barely slept last night, knowing she was just across the hall. It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to cross the small distance between their rooms. He swore he heard every movement she made—each shift on the mattress, the soft sighs as she settled against his pillows, the rustling of her legs beneath the sheets. The house felt like it was alive with her presence, each creak of the floorboards a reminder that she was there, just a few steps away.

“Jed?” Rick’s voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. “You listening?”

“Yeah, sure,” Jed replied.

He hadn’t heard a word. He turned his head just enough to show he was paying attention, but his gaze drifted back to Jami.

“I said the execs are loving you two. The banter, the chemistry... it’s perfect. They want you to play up the newlywed vibe. You know, that ‘we can’t keep our hands off each other’ angle.”

That wasn’t going to be a problem. “Yeah, I think I can manage that.”

Today’s challenge was a blind taste test. One person would be blindfolded while the other fed them different dishes they’d prepared. If they guessed correctly, they’d score a point. Simple enough, but the idea of having Jami feed him... of tasting her touch along with the food... his pulse quickened at the thought.

The crew finished setting up. Jed and Jami took their places at a small table. The cameras clicked on, the bright lights illuminating them, casting a spotlight on their every move. Jed sat across from Jami, his pulse picking up as he volunteered to be blindfolded first.

She approached with the blindfold. Her fingers deftly worked through his hair as she tied the fabric around his head. Jed closed his eyes beneath the fabric, letting himself feel the gentle, almost tender way Jami's fingers moved. When she was done, she lingered for a moment, her breath warm against his skin.

“There’s no fork,” she said, uncertainty lacing in her voice.

Rick's voice came from somewhere off-camera. “Just use your fingers to feed him, Jami.”

Jed felt her hesitate. He heard the slight intake of her breath, a mixture of nerves and something else. He knew that sound; he’d heard it from her before, after each of their kisses. It was desire.

Jami's fingers brushed against Jed's lips when she fed him the first bite. His tongue moved to capture the morsel. His mouth closed over her fingertips, savoring not just the taste of the food but the feel of her skin. She gasped softly, her breath hitching in her throat.

Jed chewed slowly, contemplating the taste. “Hmm,” he said, dragging out the moment. “I’m not sure. I think I need another taste.”

He could almost hear her eyes rolling, but she complied. Jami brought the next bite to his lips. Jed nipped lightly at her index finger, eliciting a small yelp from her. He grinned as he chewed, thoroughly enjoying himself, the food, and his wife.

“It’s... chicken dumplings.”

A bell sounded, signaling he was correct. He reached up to remove the blindfold, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the light. Jami was staring at him, her lips pressed together. The look she gave him said she was on to him.

Good, he wanted her to know everything he was thinking. Soon, he'd tell her his every feeling. They were all about her.

For now, he leaned in close, his voice low and intimate. “I know it was dumplings because it was the first meal we made together in Home Ec.”

His eyes locked on hers. Jami's throat worked as she tried to swallow. She hadn't yet eaten anything, so Jed knew it was desire she was trying to tamp down.

“I’ve never forgotten your taste… the taste of your dumplings, I mean.”

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