Page 49 of Passenger Princess

"I could be," I say, taking a small step forward and smiling up at him. He's so fucking tall, and I haven't put my shoes on, making me even smaller than normal around him.

"I'm your bodyguard," he says as if he doesn't want to say it but is forcing the words out all the same.

"But if you weren't," I clarify. "If I wasn't a client, if I wasn't someone you were paid to protect, you'd want me?" One more step, and I'm almost chest-to-chest with him. I feel exposed like this, in a tiny outfit, him dressed in a black tee and black pants.

"Ava…"

"For science, Jaime." I put a hand on his chest and feel his heart beating there, pounding against my palm.

He must see something on my face or maybe he's as tired of the games as I am, because he finally makes what feels like a confession. "Yeah, Princess, if you weren't a client, I'd kiss you."

That's what I need to hear. I won't throw myself at a man who doesn't want me, who never wanted me or neverwouldwant me, but this? This I can work with.

Slowly, giving him time to say no, to push me off—a move I would respect even if I'm constantly pushing at his buttons—my free hand moves up until it's on the side of his neck. Then I move, lifting to the tips of my toes, rising to try and meet him, using light pressure on my hand to urge him to bend his head a bit, which he does before he wraps an arm around my waist, pasting my body to his in the most delicious way.

And then my lips are on his, a gentle press, a lingering of lips on lips that has my heart racing and butterflies erupting in my stomach.

It's over much sooner than I would like as I lower back to my flat feet with a gentle, easy smile on my lips. My eyes slowly float open to look at him, his head tipping down to look at me, eyes discerning and reading me.

"You kissed me," he says simply, and I feel every syllable as it moves through his chest against my nipples in the absolute best way possible.

"I did," I say with a smile.

"You kissed me," he clarifies like he finds the concept absolutely baffling.

"Sure did," I repeat, with a smile.

"That's not how that works, Ava."

I lift an eyebrow and tip my lips up. "I think it's exactly how it worked," I say with a laugh.

"No, not with me."

I tip my head to the side and roll my eyes. "Then how's it supposed to work, Jaime?" I say with challenge in my words, waiting for his stupid man-explanation where he will probably tell me I shouldn't have done that because of work or blurring lines or who the fuck knows.

Instead, as seems to be his way, he surprises me by doing neither of those.

"Like this."

TWENTY-FOUR

JAIME

My knees bend a bit, and my free hand moves under Ava's ass before I stand up straight, lifting her off the ground and moving toward the wall behind her. Instantly, her legs wrap around my waist on instinct, as if even her body knows this is how it's supposed to be.

I thought I was in my head.

I thought she was just gorgeous, and we were around each other too much, because there is no way this all-consuming attraction I feel for Ava is anything more than convenience or in my head.

Then she kissed me, and that theory was thrown out the window.

Now, I need more.

I am so fucked.

But I can worry about that another time.Anyother time.

Right now, I press her back against the wall, her face right in front of mine now that we're on more even footing, her lips brushing against mine as I whisper, "This is how it works, Ava. I kiss you. Every time,Ikissyou, and I do it in a way that you can never forget what it's like to be kissed by a man wholly and completely obsessed with you."

---