Page 36 of Simply Yours

“I think there’s an ‘X’ on the ground for you to stand on—” she started to explain, but her words trailed off as he took two measured steps forward and, without a second thought, tossed his wallet onto the table like he was placing a bet he knew he’d win.

Her stomach tightened.

“What are you doing?” she asked, genuinely confused, though her pulse had already picked up speed as if it somehow knew exactly where this was headed before she did.

Jason leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping to something low and intimate. “Whatever it costs, I’ll donate it for a chance to kiss you.”

Her breath caught.

He wasn’t joking. There was no teasing lilt to his voice, no hint of hesitation. Just that steady, unshakable determination she’d always admired about him—except now, it was directed squarely at her.

“I sent Matthew and Luke home with the first trailer, so they can’t screw this up for me,” he continued, his tone lighter, but his eyes… oh, his eyes were dark, unwavering. “So take your time deciding how much you want me to donate and get ready because I’m not leaving without a shot at whatever this is.” His fingers flexed at his sides like he was holding himself back. “I want your cell phone number and a kiss, Caitlin.”

Her throat went dry.

The weight of his words settled deep, something warm and thrilling twisting in her chest. She had never seen Jason like this—so forthright, so open. And oh gosh, was it ever flattering.

“And I meant it about the coffee, too,” he added, as if trying to soften the moment, though there was an edge of nervousness in his voice now. The great and confident Jason Baird was just a little unsure.

She stood there, momentarily frozen, her mind racing through a thousand different responses but settling on none.

Instead, she took a slow, measured step forward.

Jason didn’t move.

Not at first.

Then, like some unspoken signal had passed between them, he reached up and yanked off his cowboy hat, the motion almost instinctive. Her eyes flickered to his hair, the way the brim had flattened parts of it, leaving soft waves curling at the edges.

Would it feel as soft as it looked?

She barely had time to entertain the thought before she noticed the way his gaze dropped—to her mouth.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Her lips parted almost on command like they somehow knew what was coming before her brain could fully catch up.

“Are you really sure about this?” she managed to strangle out, her voice an uneven whisper.

Jason’s eyes flicked back up to hers.

“Don’t you want to kiss me?”

Her heart pounded.

“It’s not about me,” she hedged, her pulse rioting in her veins. “It’s about what you…”

She didn’t get to finish.

Jason moved, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair as he tugged her toward him in one fluid, effortless motion. His lips met hers, and for a fleeting second, a ridiculous thought hit her—this can’t possibly be real.

But then?—

Heat.

A slow-burning fire that started at the base of her spine and roared through her like a backdraft exploding into life.

Her prom kiss with Matthew had been stiff, awkward, forgettable – and they had laughed and laughed about how bad it was.

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