Page 10 of Bewitched

Paige took some of the kanafeh and smiled. “I’m going to miss this when I leave.”

Sliding his hand across her skin, he gently rubbed her arm. “When are you leaving?”

“At the end of next week. I’ve been ordered to take some time off, so I’m going back to Dallas and celebrating the holidays with my family. Mama is over the moon because I haven’t been home in two years.”

“I figured you for a Dallas girl.”

“Where are you from, Blake?”

I was born in Lubbock and my family’s still there. It was a great place to grow up, but I never saw myself living out my days with a bunch of cows on the same thousand acres that I grew up on.”

Lifting her cup, she took a sip of mint tea. “How in the world did two kids from Texas end up in Jordan?”

“I wanted to see the world. What about you?”

“Same thing. If I had stayed in Texas, then I would’ve ended up living a life that my mama designed for me. Joining the Foreign Service allowed me to escape and see the world. I’ve never regretted it for a moment.”

“The last week being the exception,” Blake added.

“Yeah, didn’t enjoy that.” Shrugging, she ran her hand over the rim of her cup. “But meeting you has been a nice bonus.”

Tightening his hold, he felt a smile cross his face. So, it wasn’t just him. She felt something, too. He’d been pretty sure up in her room, but it was always nice to receive verbal confirmation. “So, what are you going to do before you go home?”

“My birthday is on Thursday, so my friends at the embassy are throwing me a little party. If you and your team are still in town, you should stop by.”

“I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be.” Turning, he grazed his hand across her cheek. “I don’t know what it is, but you have me ten kinds of crazy. You’re so damn pretty.” He leaned in and waited to see if she was going to move away; when she didn’t he pressed his mouth against hers. Boom Crackle. Pop. The electricity that had been buzzing around since he first saw her jolted to life.

The simple act of their mouths melding together lit him up like a damn electrical storm. Holding her face, he tilted it so he could kiss her more deeply. The moment she opened up, he slipped his tongue inside and tasted her sweet flavor. Addicting. That’s what she was.

He tried to pull her closer but felt her hand press against his chest. Lifting his head, he drug in a breath. “Sorry, guess I got a little carried away.”

“I might’ve too,” she said as she rested her head against his.

“Good thing it’s happening for both of us.” Sitting up straight, he ran his hand through his hair. “Guess I should walk you back to your room.” Her soft laughter swept over him and he wondered what in the hell he’d done to deserve a moment like this in the middle of a mission.

“Thank you, Blake. For the rescue, the company, and the kiss.”

“My pleasure, Paige. Definitely my pleasure.” He helped her up and took her hand. As they walked out of the garden, he wondered how in the hell he was going to see her again.

It was all but impossible, but that didn’t stop him from wanting it to happen. No way was he ready for this to be the last time he saw her. No fucking way.

***

Had it been a minute or an hour? She had no idea. A goodbye kiss in her room had turned into a full-on make-out session, and she was losing control. “My goodness, you’re dangerous.” Pushing against his chest, she dragged in a gulp of air. “I lose my good sense when you’re around.” She slid a hand down his face and ran her fingers through his beard.

“Honey, you’re a damn bomb, because I feel like I’m going to explode.”

Wiggling on his lap, she laughed. Good Lord, the man wasn’t lying. “I should get up.”

He tightened his hold and shook his head. “Oh, no, you stay right there.” Tilting his head, he ran his mouth along her neck. “I like you right where you are.”

Wasn’t that the truth? She liked where she was as well. Especially when he slid his tongue along her pulse point and took a little nip.

The door opened and Paige pulled away. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a nurse standing in the doorway. “Oh, hello…”

“I’ll come back to check your vitals,” the woman responded as she shook her head and walked out, closing the door behind her.

“What we’re doing is considered really inappropriate,” Paige whispered against his ear. “We’re in a Muslim country, and making out in public is not okay.”

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