“Maybe we should get out from under here, then,” I suggest.
“Good idea,” he says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before climbing out from under the sink.
I’m left disappointed when the warmth of his body is gone. I peek my head out to find his hand extended, and I can’t help the flutter in my chest as he helps me rise to my feet.
“Thanks.”
“You’re the one who fixed the busted pipe. I should be thanking you,” he says.
I like this side of Jensen. He appears more relaxed. His typically serious demeanor has faded, and I’m getting a glimpse of the playful side usually reserved for Caleb.
An expression I can’t decipher flickers across his features, and my heart rate speeds up when his gaze flits across my face, settling on the spot just below my mouth.
“What is it?” I whisper.
He steps closer. “You’ve got a smudge—right here.”
My breath hitches when he slowly reaches out and drags his thumb across my chin, grazing my lower lip, his fingers resting lightly on my jaw. My heart races as I imagine what it would be like if he leaned in and kissed me. Given the intensity in Jensen’s eyes, I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” His voice is barely above a whisper.
I swallow hard, my hooded eyes glancing up at him. “No,” I say, hoping he doesn’t hear how loud my heart is racing. “You’re practically walking around naked, so it’s hard not to stare.” I don’t bother hiding my smirk.
“Didn’t exactly improve my repair skills now, did it?” he asks, his gaze shamelessly lingering on my mouth. “But you, on the otherhand, were exceptional. Especially for someone who managed to fix a pipe without stripping.” He winks. “I’m honestly impressed. You’ve definitely earned that gold star.”
“High praise coming from the shirtless distraction committee,” I tease.
He damn well knows the effect he’s having, standing there all bare-chested and smug with confidence, close enough that I can feel the heat rolling off of him.
“Glad I could be useful,” he quips, his eyes glimmering with fascination. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I swear he leans in a fraction. “You smell like apples,” he murmurs.
My knuckles turn white as I grip my hands into fists. “It’s my body wash.”
“It’s nice.”
I force myself to remain still, my body coming alive with him so close. My pulse is pounding in my ears as his breath whispers against my lips, the undercurrent of desire in his touch leaving me trembling. We’re supposed to be roommates, friends at most, and I can’t let my emotions get the best of me.
The adrenaline from the chicken heist is still coursing through me, and I haven’t had a real release in a while. That’s why I’m so hot and bothered—not because of the shirtless man in front of me.
On impulse, I reach toward his chest but catch myself before losing complete control, forcing my hands back to my sides.
“I have an early morning tomorrow, so I should get to bed,” I say, forcing the words out.
Jensen runs a hand through his hair, blowing out the breath he must’ve been holding. “Yeah, me too.”
I take several steps back toward the stairs. “Night.”
Jensen’s face is unreadable, but I catch the subtle flex of his hand, the fingers that brushed my skin rubbing together. I can’t tell if he’s trying to shake off the moment or if he’s grappling with the same rush I felt when he touched me.
“Night, Briar,” he drawls.
I offer him a quick wave before darting up the stairs, not stopping until I’m in the bathroom with the door shut. I turn on the faucet and splash cold water on my face, trying to calm my racing heart.
I must be ovulating.
That’s the only explanation I can come up with for why I reacted the way I did. Sure, Jensen was shirtless, but I’ve seen plenty of men working bare-chested in the fields on a hot day, and not one of them ever made my knees go weak just by standing next to them.
I blame those damn Wranglers. Seeing him slowly start to embrace his cowboy roots is messing with my head, especially when that lazy Montana drawl slips into his voice, turning every word he says into a slow-burn seduction. It’s absolutely unfair to my nervous system.