Page 11 of Messy Match

The memory of that kiss, of how quickly he took control of it, even though I started it, has haunted me all day. It’s exactly why I had to make the first move. Because Jake Maddingly is the kind of man who will overwhelm you if you let him, who somehow, with just one look, one touch, makes you forget all the reasons you shouldn’t want him. And I refuse to be that woman. The one who melts just because a guy, with biceps that belong in a calendar, turns his attention her way.

No, if anything happens between us, it has to be on my terms. Which is exactly why I kissed him first, and why I need to keep the upper hand now. Before he can work his way past my carefully constructed defenses with that slow smile and those knowing eyes that see far too much.

“The coordinator really knows what she’s doing with this setup.” Maya gestures to the white chairs arranged in neat rows. “The aisle is perfectly aligned with that tallest peak.”

Before I can respond, deep male laughter rings out behind us. My heart thumps in my chest. We turn to find Jake, Levi, and Mack coming out the door, all three in fitted polos and shorts that showcase the physiques they’ve earned by hauling fire equipment up flights of stairs and breaking down doors in full turnout gear for years. But it’s Jake in particular, in a deep-green shirt that matches his eyes, who steals my breath.

“They sure clean up nice,” Maya murmurs. She would know. She gets just as grimy as the guys, holding her own on every call and drill since she joined Ladder 24 this spring.

I mumble a halfhearted agreement, distracted by the way Jake’s gaze rakes me from head to toe. Our eyes lock for the first time since that kiss on the terrace. Heat floods my cheeks, and just like that, I’m back in that moment with his lips on mine, tasting hops and dangerous possibilities.

A soft “Mmm” escapes through Maya’s lips as she nudges me with her elbow, her eyebrows arching meaningfully as she looks sidelong at me.

“That was nothing,” I insist, smoothing my sundress.

“Didn’t look likenothingto me. And it certainly didn’t look like the daggers the two of you shoot at each other any chance you get.”

“We’ve signed a temporary ceasefire. Just,” I emphasize, holding up a hand, “for the weekend.”

“Uh-huh.” Maya’s tone drips skepticism. “Keep telling yourself that.”

I want to argue, but the truth is, this truce is making everything worse. Without our usual cutting comebacks and biting banter, I’m remembering why I was attracted to Jake in the first place. How that first New Year’s Eve, before everything went wrong, his slow smile made my knees weak.

But I’m not the kind of woman Jake needs, even if he were interested in more than one night. He’s hardwired to be a hero, to protect and save. Whereas, I vowed never to be the kind of woman who needs rescuing.

“Alright, everyone!” The coordinator’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she stands near the arch at the front of the aisle. “If I could have the bride and groom up here, along with the parents? The rest of the wedding party, I’ll meet you at the back to practice the processional in just a few minutes.”

Maya and I, along with Zoe, the maid of honor, meet up with Levi, Mack, and Jake on the stone patio at the back of the grand lodge. Before I know it, Jake is at my side, close enough his cologne wraps around me like a caress. My skin prickles with awareness.

“That’s a beautiful dress,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I turn my head, finding his face closer than I expected. Warmth unfurls in my low belly. “Should I be concerned? Is it a potential hazard?”

His eyes darken at the reference to last night.

“The dress isn’t the hazard,” he says. “It’s the woman wearing it.”

A shiver races down my spine, despite the summer rays. Behind us, Mack clears his throat obnoxiously.

“Get a room, you two,” Levi says, earning a chorus of snickers.

I force a laugh, but my mind is already racing. The truth is, these feelings aren’t going away. If anything, they’re getting stronger. The kiss last night proved that. Maybe, the only way past this is through it. Maybe, if we just gave in once, I could get Jake Maddingly out of my system. Plus, Jake’s the kind of guy who lives for the pursuit. Once the novelty has worn off, he’s out of there. One night would be enough to get him out of my system, and me out of his mind. Two birds, one stone. And being here, at a luxurious mountain resort, hundreds of miles from the city, is the perfect opportunity.

Fortunately, the conversation moves on as everyone gushes about the gorgeous setting. A few minutes later, the coordinator glances up from her tablet and calls Jake and Zoe to the front of the aisle. Before he steps away, I catch his arm.

“Jake.” My voice is taut, and he turns, one eyebrow raised in question.

“What if…” I wet my lips, conscious of our friends nearby, and pitch my voice low. “What if we stopped fighting this? Just once. You know, made the rumors true. Get…whatever this is out of our systems?”

Confusion flickers across his features as my words sink in, and his brow furrows. Until, in a split second, understanding dawns, and that famous smile spreads across his face. But upon closer inspection, this isn’t his typical easy playboy smile. Anddefinitely not the one in his Mr. March picture. No, this smile reaches his dark green eyes, carrying an intensity that makes my chest tighten.

But before he can respond, the coordinator’s voice cuts through the air. “Jake, are you coming? We need you here, next to Brock.”

My question hangs in the air, crackling with possibility. A muscle in his jaw ticks as he swallows hard, the only sign my suggestion has affected him as much as it has me. But before he responds, he turns to fulfill his best man duties, and I’m left wondering, just like I was in that dark cab in the wee hours of the morning on New Year’s Day, if I’ve just made a huge mistake.

Chapter eight

Jake

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