Page 79 of When We Burn

“Walk, peanut.”

She slows down, walking calmly back to her room.

“I’m so glad that she’s feeling okay. She scared me today.”

Bridger marches around the island, and I turn on my stool, facing him as he reaches me. His face is so serious, so intense, that I put my hands on his chest and blink up at him.

“What’s wrong?”

He frames my face in his hands and tips his head down so he can lean his forehead against mine. “It’s really good to have you here, sweetheart. And you’re wearing my shirt.”

“Your clothes pretty much make up my whole wardrobe when I’m not at work these days.”

He grins, and his hands slide back into my hair as his lips find mine, and my whole body goes from simmering to boiling with just that simple touch.

I grip his forearms as he steps closer, nudging his way between my knees, and my nipples are at full attention. Finally, he growls, palms my butt, and lifts me onto the countertop as if I weigh nothing at all. I let out a little gasp of surprise.

“I like being able to put you where I want you.” His voice is raspy, and one hand is back in my hair now, gripping tightly. I love the slight tug against my scalp. “And Ifucking love your hair. It’s so soft, so thick, and it looks good wrapped around my fingers.”

“Have I mentioned that you’re good with your mouth?”

That has his lips tipping up in a sly grin, and I let out a breathy laugh.

“That, too, but you say the sexiest things.”

“I can’t help myself.” He plants his lips on my forehead. “And later, when it’s dark and Birdie’s asleep, and we’re behind a locked door, I’m going to whisper all the sexy-as-fuck things that I’m going to do to you.”

I don’t suppress the shiver that runs through me with that comment.

“Yes, please.”

“And you’re going to do the same.”

“Uh …”

“You know I love your dirty mouth,” he says, kissing down my cheek and over to my nose. “If you want to come, you’ll use it.”

“Well, when you use that kind of incentive, how can I argue?”

He laughs, and then I press my hand to his chest, pushing myself back.

“Wait. I have plans tonight.”

His eyebrows climb in surprise. “You do?”

“Yeah, so we might have to take a rain check for dirty talk.”

He braces his hands on either side of my hips, caging me in. “Who do you have plans with tonight, kitten?”

I lick my lips, watching his mouth. Ireallywant it on me again.

“Dani.”

“Yeah?”

“Who.” He kisses my nose. “Do you.” Kisses my cheek. “Have.” Brushes his nose over my jaw. “Plans with?”

“If I don’t tell you, will you keep doing that?”

---