Page 77 of Those Who Are Bound

He glanced at the cameras again, and he eased back even more.

Elliott looked to see what had caused his sudden disquiet and moved away even more. “I don’t even notice them anymore.”

“I know we are the most observed society, but there’s knowing it and knowing it.Andknowing Lucy can pop in at any moment on that camera... Some things I don’t want to share. Moments with you, for instance—those should be ours.”

Elliott lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “You’re surrounded, sorry to say. Three in here.” At his startled look, she pointed them out. “There, there, and there. And one in the kitchen. Outside, in the parking lot—this place is well-monitored.”

Jonah stared at her. “No chance for spontaneity.”

She countered, “No chance for thievery.At least, not without having it on tape. The only place not monitored is my house.”

“And it probably should be.”

Elliott shook her head. “No, anyone coming and going can be seen, but there’s a perimeter.” Giving him a grin, she added, “Allows for more spontaneity. But you didn’t come here for a security briefing.”

“No,” he agreed. “I have something for you; it’s out in the Jeep.”

“You keep giving me presents.”

His smile came back. “I like giving you presents. And this one is a requirement, from what I understand.”

She let out a confused laugh. “Requirement?”

He held out his hand to her. “C’mon.”

Taking his hand, she let him lead her out to where he’d parked his Jeep in front of her house, this contact enough to energize her; the roughness of his hand over hers, the firm hold. “But I have nothing for you.”

“It’s not a competition.” He flashed a grin. “And yes, I know to whom I’m saying that.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her forward to smack a quick kiss on her lips before he stepped away and opened the back door.

Elliott watched in delight as he leaned into the back seat and withdrew a white shirt. She could tell he was also palming something, but her curious gaze was on the clothing.

Jonah came back to her and shook out the small shirt made of almost translucent material that proclaimed his college Alma Mater in green cursive letters across the front. “Your penance for losing at Frisbee golf,” he said, causing her to laugh.

“I will wear it with great shame.”Then she gave him a devilish look. “Because I will probably be having extremely shameful thoughts about its alumnus while wearing it.”

Jonah grinned. “I’ll buy you the catalog if that’s the case.”

“I’d rather have more than the shirt,” she said lightly but honestly.

He chucked her under the chin. “Patience.”

Elliott narrowed her eyes. The aching burn that was a constant companion when he was around was hard to ignore. “You’re cruel.”

Expression smoldering, he merely raised an eyebrow at her comment; there were promises he intended to keep, but he had a plan in his head that he wasn’t sharing. His restraint amazed her.

He held up what he had been holding in his hand. “Your something silver, Miss Rork, indicating that you’re mine.”

The words pleased her in a silly schoolgirl manner. Elliott looked at what he was holding, and she burst out laughing: it was a big silverOlapel pin. “What?”

Offering a chuckle of his own, Jonah removed the backing before he helped himself to the neckline of her shirt. She sucked in a breath when his fingers slipped beneath the material and caressed her skin. She arched her back, her steely gaze fixed on him as he concentrated on the task of pinning it on her.

“I did a little research of my own,” he admitted. “Pinning was done predominantly with your school logo.”

Elliott let out a low, breathy laugh. “Oh, I thought the bigOwas a promise for something else.”

Jonah grinned. “You’ll get that, too.”

“You’re such a tease.” She chided playfully.

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