Page 12 of Burly and Honorable

He gives me a half-smile and my stomach tenses as the butterflies start again. “Sure.”

I drop my bag by the dresser, focusing on unzipping it instead of the way his shirt clings to his chest or how his blond hair is a little messy after a long day at the festival. Did I make a mistake suggesting we share the bed?

By the time I step out of the bathroom, the room feels even smaller. Jordan’s lying on the bed, his arm draped behind his head. His shirt has ridden up, exposing a sliver of his stomach—taut and tan and deliciously distracting.

He glances at me, his eyes lingering a second too long. “Your turn to get comfortable.”

I hesitate, then slip under the blanket on the far side of the bed. The mattress dips as I settle, and for a second, I’m hyper-aware of every breath he takes, every inch of space—or lack of it—between us.

“You good?” he asks, his voice softer now, more intimate.

“Perfectly,” I lie.

The corners of his mouth lift in a knowing smirk. “You’re a terrible liar.”

I roll onto my side, turning my back to him, but it doesn’t help. His presence is everywhere, wrapping around me, making it impossible to think about anything but him.

Why does it feel like the air is heavier when he’s this close? Like I could drown in the space between us and never want to surface?

The first lowrumble of thunder vibrates through the room, and the soft patter of rain grows heavier against the window. I shift restlessly, the tension wrapping around me like a second skin.

Without thinking, I turn toward him. My hand brushes his arm—warm, solid—and his breath hitches enough for me to notice.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice rough around the edges.

“I don’t like storms,” I whisper.

“Come here,” he says, lifting his arm. I move closer to him, and he pulls me tight against his body. “Better?”

“Yes,” I say, my voice wavering. The heat of his body burns against me, and I forget I’m scared of storms. I’m scared of the storm brewing in my heart and between us.

We’re so close now that I can see the faint stubble along his jaw, the way his lashes lower as he looks at me.

“I like having you in my arms,” he says quietly, and the vulnerability in his tone makes my chest ache. His arms tighten around me when a fresh boom of thunder shakes the night.

My core flames to life in a rush and I realize the desire I’ve been feeling for Jordan is real. Like really real. He strokes one of my arms, his fingers lingering like a question I’m desperate to answer.

“Jordan…” My voice trembles, and I’m not sure if it’s from the storm or the way he’s looking at me, like I’m the only thing thatmatters. All I know is that I’m staring into a possibility I couldn’t have imagined before this trip, but now desperately want.

He turns to me slowly, his movements deliberate, and I can see the battle in his eyes. My heart stutters as I stare into his brown eyes.

“Tell me you feel it, too. Please,” he says, his voice rough.

Jordan brushes his fingers against my cheek. His touch is featherlight, but it stokes the desire in my core higher, like every nerve in my body has been waiting for this moment.

“I do,” I say, my voice trembling as tears sting my eyes. “God help me, I do.”

The air between us shifts, electric and intense. Then his mouth is on mine, tentative at first, but when I lean into him, it deepens, turning passionate and intense. His beard brushes roughly against my skin.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he says, his voice low and full of wonder. He gently pushes my hair away from my face, his brown eyes never leaving mine.

“You’re only just now noticing?” I tease, my voice breathless. Am I doing this? Damn straight I am.

His answering laugh is deep and husky, and he leans in, his lips brushing against my ear. “I noticed the moment I met you. I’ve been trying not to notice ever since.”

Jordan’s confession sends a shiver through me, and I reach for him, my fingers tangling in his hair.

I kiss him, and fireworks explode behind my eyes. He quickly deepens our kiss, his hands roaming over my body and making me squirm with need.

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