Page 25 of Tactically Tied

Jed took a step toward her, his gaze intense, unyielding. “What if I don’t want it annulled?”

He closed the distance between them, backing her into the corner of the kitchen. She felt trapped. Not by the loss of space, but by the feelings he stirred inside her. Feelings she’d been trying to ignore since the beginning. Since that very first kiss back in high school.

“Jed...” she began, but her voice faltered. His eyes bore into hers, dark and demanding.

“Is this all just a game to you?” he asked, his voice low, rough around the edges. “Because it’s not to me.”

His breath was hot on her skin. His jaw tightened. There was raw emotion in his eyes.

“You hate me,” she whispered, her voice shaky, betraying her confusion and fear. “You’ve always hated me.”

Jed let out a bitter laugh, his eyes never leaving hers. “There’s a thin line between love and hate, Jami. And I’ve always been on one side of that line.”

What did that even mean?

He closed the remaining distance between them, capturing her mouth in a fierce, desperate kiss. It was like the world shattered around her. All her defenses crumbled in the heat of his touch. His lips were demanding, his hands cupping her face as he kissed her with an intensity that left her breathless.

Jami clutched at his shoulders, the taste of him flooding her senses. She couldn't think about leaving. She couldn’t even remember where she was. All she knew was that she didn’t want this kiss to end. She didn’t want to stop kissing Jed Winchester—not ever.

Maybe he could travel with her. Maybe they could have adventures together. Maybe…

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard. Jed was trembling, his hands still holding her as if she might vanish if he let go.

“I fell for you,” he rasped, his voice hoarse with emotion, “the first time your soufflé didn’t rise. And when you kissed me that day in high school, I knew there would never be anyone else for me.”

"You kissed me." She had no idea why she chose to focus on that. She should've been focused on what he said about her soufflé. It had, too, risen.

"I did kiss you. And you kissed me back."

She had to admit that that was true. She searched his face, looking for any sign that this was still part of their act, but there was nothing but raw, naked truth in his eyes.

“I’m never taking this ring off.” He looked at the ring on his finger. “And I will never accept yours back. You’re my wife, Jami. And I’m not letting you go.”

She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think past the rush of emotions crashing over her. He meant every word. This wasn’t for the cameras, wasn’t for the competition. It was real. And she... she didn’t know what to do with that.

Jed leaned in again, his lips brushing hers in a gentler, sweeter kiss, one that stole the last of her resolve. “Let's not talk about you leaving,” he pleaded, his voice breaking. “Not now.”

Jami’s throat tightened, the words lodged there, unspoken. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to make a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep. But right now, in this moment, she knew one thing.

She kissed him again, pouring everything she felt into it, hoping he could feel the answer she couldn’t yet voice.

And for now, that was enough.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

“We're going to make some changes to the barbecue chicken dish for tonight’s special. We’re incorporating some of the fusion spices my wife brought over.”

A wave of shock rippled through the room at Jed's directive. His staff exchanged bewildered glances, some of them looking at him as if he’d just announced they were serving tofu in a steakhouse.

“What?” he asked, genuinely puzzled by their reaction.

One of the younger cooks, Tim, shifted on his feet, eyes flickering nervously. Finally, he spoke up. “It’s just... we’re not used to... well, we usually do everything by your recipes, Chef. Exactly how you want it.”

“And?”

“And...” Tim swallowed, looking around for support. When no one else spoke, he continued, “We’re just surprised you’re, uh, compromising.”

Jed raised an eyebrow, a slight annoyance flaring in his chest. “I compromise plenty.”

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