Page 23 of Under Daddy's Spell

He put his fists on his hips, clearly displeased. “Which means he hasn’t gotten back to you about servicing the A/C.”

“No.”

This time, his protracted grunt declared his irritation. “I’ll have a chat with him about his poor response time. For the rent we pay, one call should be sufficient.”

One and done was expecting a lot from Thompson. He wasn’t farsighted enough to see the benefits of preventative maintenance and never got in a hurry with repairs in the four years she’d rented from him. It was the reason she kept a fully equipped toolbox and had a DIY site in her favorites list on her phone and laptop. And he’d never responded to anyone after a single call, as far as she knew. If Jordan could get the man to return a call after three attempts, she’d be happy.

“Lighting aside, you shouldn’t be out here after dark alone, Tessa. It’s a decent neighborhood but not crime free. We’ll escort you. Since we both close at nine o’clock, it’s not an inconvenience, and I insist.”

“You shot down all my arguments.”

“Then we’ll move on, once you say,Thank you...Jordan. I accept your kind offer.”

Noting his hesitation, she wondered what he really wanted to say. She dutifully replied but could not resist a bit of teasing. “Thank you, Jordan. I accept your bossy decree.”

He moved closer until he was in her space. “I’m serious, Tessa. I don’t want you hurt out here. You’re a temptation for any man with all that hair and a fantastic ass, but I’d do the same for any woman.”

She blinked. That was a compliment, wasn’t it?

Yeah, he’d lend his chivalry to the entire gender. He was that kind of guy. But he was focused on her, thought her round bubble butt was fantastic and liked her frizzy at-the-end-of-the-day curls. Maybe she should pinch herself to make sure he was real and not something out of her dreams.

“Are you going to give me more lip about your new closing procedure?”

“No, sir! And, Jordan...”

“I’m right here, cher.”

“I meant the thank you part.”

“Good,” he murmured as his arms curled around her and he pulled her against him. “Now, we can get serious about the kissing part.”

When she didn’t object or give him lip, as he called it, he lowered his head and brushed her mouth with his. It started out light and sweet and wonderful, but when she rose on her tiptoes, seeking more, he gave it to her. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips until she opened for him. Then, warm and insistent without being suffocating, it swept inside.

One hand sank into her hair as his arm encircled her waist and he pulled her against the length of his much-longer frame. He was hard everywhere, and Tessa didn’t doubt the strength and security of his hold. But her hands fisted in his shirt, compelled to hang on as his phenomenal mouth, lips, and tongue rocked her world.

She lost track of time and space as his lips moved over hers and his tongue teased and tangled with her own. He seemed more spatially in tune than her and ended it when she needed air.

Breathing hard, she stared up at him. If not for the moon that peeked out from behind the clouds at the right moment, she wouldn’t have seen the glittering passion in his eyes.

“I’m appalled I kissed you for the first time by a stinking dumpster. We’ll have to do better next time.”

That he wanted a next time sent her already fast-beating heart racing.

“Have dinner with me tomorrow?”

“I...uh...yes,” she stammered. Then she remembered. “I’m short-staffed this week. It will have to be after I close. Nine thirty, at least.”

“Wednesday then? No, damn. I forgot. I’m flying out that afternoon.”

Tessa felt a little thrill that, wanting to see her again so badly, he’d forgotten something as crucial as going out of town. But she also didn’t want him to leave, not when something was happening between them.

“It’s going to be a helluva week. My schedule is packed next week, too, but I don’t want to wait until next Friday.”

“Me, either. But the advance notice will give me time to arrange for someone to close the store for me.”

He lowered his head again but not for another kiss. Darn it.

Instead, he rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “Ten days. At least we have this moment of passion by the dumpster under the moonlight to tide us over.”

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