Page 118 of Those Who Are Bound

Again: devilish woman, but he enjoyed her playfulness.

They were seated quickly and provided with the customary hand towels.

“Wine?” he asked.

She raised an eyebrow as she perused the menu. “Getting all fancy on me.”

Fighting the urge to grin like a jackass, he ordered a red wine. He watched her as she pushed her lips to the side in indecision over the variety for food.

“Do you think I’m going to let you down?” he asked, revisiting the conversation. He’d let her deflect, but he wasn’t going to let this go. “Because I promise you, I wouldn’t enter into a relationship with a hidden agenda. What would be the point?”

“Not a hidden agenda, exactly.”

“Then, what? Eventually, everything comes out. What would be the point in working toward a partnership with deceit as its foundation?” He’d meant for his words to assure her, but she looked… pained. “Elliott?”

“What if…?” She frowned, distressed. She mulled over her words as she looked over his shoulder. Eventually, she shrugged. “Never mind. Borrowing trouble, as my mother would say.”

Jonah studied her. Something was bothering her, causing her unease. He wanted to erase the crease between her brow, to relieve her of doubt regarding his intentions. Whatever she was struggling with, he wanted her to know they would approach it together.

Because, yeah, Lucy could tease him, but he’d admitted it to himself repeatedly: this was it for him.Shewas it. He also knew that she was nowhere near ready to hear about that level of commitment or to make such declarations.

So he changed the subject. “Kale has decided he wants to take up kickboxing.” He asked ironically, “I wonder where that influence came from?”

Elliott beamed.

After dinner, they walked down to the observation deck overlooking the Missouri River. He watched in heated delight as Elliott preceded him several steps, swaying her hips, arms out to her sides in an exaggerated saunter. She was stunning. Especially when she was being playful.

A whistle rent the air from nearby. A few remarks addressed her attractive curves. He sent a warning glare to the three teenagers below the catwalk they were walking along. The urge—the need—to possess and protect jarred him. They were admiring the woman, as he was, but she washisto admire. He was about to rebuke them for their language when Elliott’s response halted him.

She laughed, turning slightly in their direction and giving a bow of acknowledgment. “Thank you, sirs.” She wasn’t the least bit offended, choosing to accept the inappropriate cat-calling as a compliment. It stole their thunder as they laughed.

She reached for him; a simple gesture, but it was a statement of who she was with. At least, that’s how he wanted to interpret it. He took her hand and gave a gentle tug. She completed her turn easily and tripped lightly into his arms.

“I can’t fault them for their powers of observation, I suppose,” he said wryly.

“They’re harmless,” she dismissed them. “But I enjoy that fierce look on your face that says you’d defend my honor… although I can easily take all three of them.”

He smiled down at her. He loved that about her: yes, she could defend herself, but she also appreciated that he naturally wanted to protect her, too, and didn’t take offense.

“And I sincerely doubt they can deliver the kinds of kisses you do.” Her lips tipped up in invitation. “Kiss me, Jonah?”

Sweet Jesus, this woman.

He obliged enthusiastically, mouth crashing into hers. Still holding her hand, he guided her arm behind her back and pressed her against him, his other hand on her jaw. She fell into him; her body melted against his on a low moan. Her fingers gripped his behind her back, her tongue slid along his.

That’s all it took, and he was on fire for her. Hard, throbbing, and out of his mind.

More whistles and catcalls filled the air.

She eased back, looking up at him. She let out a soft laugh at his expression, which he was sure was probably close to murderous at the disruption. Her attention darted to the side before returning to him. She said devilishly, “I believe you have an apartment nearby, Mr. Montgomery.”

A low growl escaped him, and he dropped his forehead to hers. “I will be hard-pressed to keep my hands off you in private, Miss Rork.”

She grinned. “I have faith in you.”

He gave a small shake of his head. “You have more in me than I do in myself.”

Laughing, she pulled away. Hand still entwined with his, she spun away and pulled him after her. “Give me a tour of your abode.”

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