Page 51 of Those Who Are Bound

She pulled in a breath, overcome. “You know all the right things to say, Mr. Montgomery.”

“I’m being honest.”

“You’re very direct.”

“Why not be?”

“It leaves you vulnerable.”

“Maybe. But I’d rather be vulnerable and take a chance. I don’t want something amazing to pass me by because I was too scared; it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Elliott just stared at him, both in awe of his ability to be exposed and terrified at the thought of exposing herself on any level. They were polar opposites, she and Jonah Montgomery.

He softly challenged, “What’s the worst you can do to me?”

“I could hurt you.”

“How?”

Oh, let me count the ways.

But she answered, “I guess I don’t know if you refuse to be hurt. I wouldn’t want to, it’s not my plan.” Trying to play along, she said, “I could hurt you by not liking you.”

By disappointing you.

“Then why are you here?”

“I do like you.”

He beamed. “And there it is, the worst you could do to me, and it’s a nonissue. I have nothing to fear.” He reached over and closed the lid to the pizza; neither had reached for a slice in several minutes. “Do you want the rest of this?”

Elliott held up both of her hands. “I would not deprive the college boy in you of his cold morning pizza.”

“Morning?” Jonah asked, teasing. “Midnight snack!”

They scooted away from the table. Elliott took the plastic cups inside while Jonah threw away the napkins and balanced the box in his hand. He waited for her by the door before they walked back to the Jeep.

As they drove back down Shawnee Mission Parkway, Jonah pointed down another street. “There’s another pizza shop down there. They have a crab Rangoon pizza that is amazing.”

Elliott glanced down the street as they passed, enjoying the glimpse of college-aged Jonah in his enthusiasm. “What are you going to do when I tell you that I like pizza probably as much as you do?”

He looked around in an exaggerated manner and joked, “Where’s a chapel?”

Elliott laughed, shaking her head at him.

Back at the park, he pulled the Jeep alongside her Mustang. Jonah shut off the engine and hopped out, walking around to her side.

Elliott jumped out, as well, shifting her backpack to access the car keys as she watched him approach. Her heart leaped again. It was a never-ending assortment of riotous sensations being near him. Some of it was terrifying, but all of it was addicting. The anticipation, the need, the want, the hopefulness; it was all she could do to keep herself from begging him not to hate her once he got to know what she was like inside.

Jonah walked right up to her, sliding a hand behind her neck as he pulled her close; no hesitation. Her lips parted for him, her tongue caressing softly as he swept in possessively, that spark and buzz racing through her.

With his other hand, he grasped her waist and pulled her close. She made a small sound of pleasure and felt him smileagainst her lips; she melted against him. Her free hand went to his waist, her fingers knotting his shirt.He kissed her slowly, his tongue delving deeply, like he was savoring the texture and taste of her.

When he lifted his head, she was slow to look back, dazed and full of wonder. She invited huskily, “Please come back with me.”

He shook his head, his expression equally heated. “I have to leave on a pre-dawn flight.”

“I don’t care.”

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