Page 32 of Loving Lies (Granton University 3)

“Well…” She glanced at him from under a veil of her long lashes. “I’m still with you, aren’t I?”

“Yeah,” he murmured. “You seem to be.”

Her shoulders fell. “Oh, my God. You still think we’re not together anymore, don’t you?”

“You have to admit,” he confessed on a shrug, “it seems a little too good to be true that you’re really mine.”

He liked the pleasure that bloomed on her face. He liked the way her breathing kicked up and her pulse fluttered in her throat. Jonah told himself he needed to compliment her more often, because looking at her like this was downright intoxicating.

“Well, I guess I’m going to have to prove to you that we’re really together.” Tess touched his face, thrilling his skin with the slide of her soft hands. Then she leaned down. When she kissed him, he was a goner.

Her lips were perfect and plush. Soft with just the right amount of suction. And he clung to them even as she slowly pulled away.

Those long lashes of hers lifted enough to show him a spark of sensuality in her blue eyes as she met his gaze. “So, what do you think now?”

Though his throat was dry, he managed to croak, “I think I’m the luckiest damn bastard on earth.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes. “Says the man lying in a hospital bed with three bullet wounds and a coma under his belt.”

“Like I said, luckiest damn bastard on earth.” Then he hooked his hand around to the back of her neck since she was still close and tugged her back for another round.

Taking control of this one, he thrust his tongue into her mouth, causing her to gasp and then moan. Her fingers curled into his shoulders, a couple catching at a tender pocket of flesh at the edge of his cast, making him flinch. But it was the best kind of pain ever. He wanted her to clutch him like that forever.

Breaking her lips away from his, she pressed their foreheads together and stayed molded to him a moment as if she needed to catch her breath. “You sure are in a frisky mood tonight.”

He slipped his fingers through her hair, relishing this moment of contact with her. “That’s because you’re here. It’s easy for me to forget about all the bad shit when you’re here.”

She swallowed loud enough to tell him how profoundly his words affected her. Then she pulled away and straightened to her full height, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “I think that’s actually the amnesia making you forget.”

Since he knew she wasn’t ready for any serious declarations, he made a silly face. “Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

Laughing, Tess nudged his shoulder. “Honestly, what’s gotten you into such a good mood?”

He frowned. “Honestly, I just told you. You did. And that dream.” He let out a refreshed sigh. “It was a really awesome dream.” And it had been the only non-nightmare he’d had since waking up from his coma. The woman literally took his nightmares away.

Tess lifted her eyebrows. “I guess.”

Needing to touch her, and still grateful he had someone here to see him, he caught her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. But when he tugged her skin close to his nose, he drew in a deep whiff only to pause.

“Why do you smell like French fries?” Damn, French fries sound good.

Flushing, she tried to jerk her hand back, but he wouldn’t let her go. Testing his theory, he popped her index finger into his mouth. Mmm. Yeah, there was definitely French fry salt on her.

“Jonah!” she gasped, immediately yanking the digit free.

“You taste like French fries too!”

“Okay, fine,” she grumbled. “I may have stolen a couple of your fries.”

“Did you say my fries?” Now he was downright intrigued. After turning away, Tess came back around with her huge purse in her grasp. When she unzipped the top, the smell that came wafting out made his mouth water.

She pulled out a familiar paper bag with a red-headed girl on the front, and he damn near whimpered.

“Hamburgers?” He reached out with both hands. “Oh, my God, you didn’t.” He ripped the sack from her clutches and dumped the contents into his lap. “Oh, my God.” He moaned again. “French fries.”

He consumed a handful of fries before he turned his attention to the burger. He nearly didn’t push down the wrapper in time before he sank his teeth into the meat and breading mixed with onions, cheese, and tomatoes. The groan that followed was probably too carnal to be motivated by food alone, but he didn’t care.

It tasted so frigging good.

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