Page 52 of Legacy of Lies
A stab of pain, like a pinprick on her skin over the temple, came and went. How odd.
“I love my job.”
“Truth. I don’t have to try on that one.”
“And if every day came with chocolate icing, I’d be in heaven.”
“Oh, that’s true. I don’t even need to use my ... instinct. All your feelings show on your face. You’d make a horrible poker player.”
“Too bad.”
“Why too bad?”
“I could pay off my student loans with the winnings.”
“Care to share leftover funds?” At his wry smile, her heart skipped a beat. “Okay. Let’s do an experiment.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“You’ve got another few minutes to ice your arm. We need to kill some time. Close your eyes.” He raised his auburn eyebrows. “Unless you’re chicken?”
Her insides melted right along with the ice in the Ziploc bag. “No way.” She shut her eyes. “What’s the experiment?”
“This.”
He rested his fingers on her shoulder and trailed them over her neck.
When he buried his hand in her hair, she sighed and leaned into the warm palm. Sparks of happiness centered on the back of her head, spread down her neck and chest, and settled in the space between her legs.
He brought his other hand up and massaged her neck and scalp. Slow sweeps that released her hair from the clip, which he set on the end table.
The man had a point. They’d only had a taste of each other. The kiss in the parking lot hadn’t been nearly enough. She had wanted so much more. Maybe he’d consider more. After he finished rubbing her neck and scalp, of course.
“Sara, look at me.” His voice flowed over her like warm caramel.
When she opened her eyes, his irises glinted with gold flecks. How long had he been staring at her? How had he come so close to her, with his mouth only inches away?
“Your face gives it away every time.”
“Gives what away?”
“The truth.”
He tugged her head closer and slid one hand under her chin, and she shuddered, not from fear but longing. The only sound was that of her breathing, much too rapid for calm, polite company.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
He stilled her protest with his heated mouth, his lips demanding her consideration.
No problem there. He had her undivided attention.
The contact took her from toasty to sizzling in the space of a breath. His kiss, insistent and hard, stole her breath. He’d bypassed tender hesitation and gone straight to devouring her whole.
And she was A-okay with Garrison’s devour mode.
She gasped, trying to keep up with his shifting, searching, tasting mouth. When her lips parted, he slid his tongue inside, swooping into her mouth and opening her to him.
The bag of ice dropped to the floor, and she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer to her.
