Page 26 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Seven

Liv

When we leave the animalhospital, I’m on such a high. I want to sing, dance, run. The fact Jerry made sure the vet was compensated for his time only confirms he’s a decent guy.No matter what people in town choose to focus on when it comes to him.

I search out Jerry’s closest hand and squeeze it tight. He swings our joined hands between us as we stride towards his Ute.

He didn’t hesitate to help that animal. The way he moved into action, hauling his shirt off without a second thought... it was all I could do to draw my eyes off those rounded biceps and the definition of the muscles wrapped tight around his torso.

It’s a struggle to keep my eyes off him with so much skin on display, his nipples now pebbled tight with the chilly autumn air.

“Probably should get home and get some gear on,” Jerry says and chuckles, leaning back against the passenger door of his car.

“Probably.”Do you have to?I step farther into his space, my shoes sitting between his dusty boots and stare up into his dark eyes. His Adam’s apple bobs.

Our conversation was awkward at the café, but I’m glad I shared something with him if only a little about my past. It wasn’t much, but I feel a little lighter. And now, with our trip to the vet, we’re growing closer.

I press my body into his, smooth my hands over his pecs, then link my fingers behind his neck. “You’re a good man, Jericho McAllister.”

He smirks. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard those words, well, I’d be as poor a man as I am now.”

He winks, but it doesn’t cover up the flash of vulnerability. He puts on this bravado most of the time, but with the occasional self-deprecating comment like that, it leaves me wondering why he puts himself down. Is it a result of his childhood, or does he not want to come across as arrogant?

Strong arms sweep around my waist.

Unable to stop myself, I push my lips to his. A simple kiss turns sparks into more, lighting me up from the inside. The heat of his mouth teases my senses, and the way his teeth graze my lips has my toes curling.

My head spins as the hunger inside me multiplies. I press my body harder against him, needing to bask in his heat. The intensity of our kiss deepens. A desperate moan escapes me, the sound of it foreign to my ears as if someone else made it.

What am I doing?I’m seconds away from mounting him in the vet hospital carpark.

I pull back. My brain seizes.

“Liv,” he says as he breathes out, his chest rapidly rising and falling.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

A deep chuckle reverberates in his chest. “What in the hell for?” He licks at his lower lip, making me miss the sensation of his stubble and those soft lips against mine.

Heat flushes up my neck. “It’s just with the wombat, and—”

“Wombats get you hot?”

I laugh and close my eyes for a beat. When I open them, his hungry gaze pins me in place.

“No, Jerry. You do.”

“What are we gonna do about that?” His voice is low and deep and laced with a promise of what may come.Hopefully both of us...

Tiny bumps push up all over my skin. “Maybe you should take me home.”

Jaw slack, I swear Jerry stops breathing.

If we go back to my place, what’s my plan? Invite him in? There’ll be nothing stopping us from taking the kissing further. Last night I told Jerry I wanted to take it slow, so why does my body want to move full speed ahead like a runaway freight train?

“Yeah?” he asks, his chest expanding.

A shadow passes overhead, followed by a rush of air.

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