Page 44 of Second First Kiss

His answer hung between them and so did a warmth that went beyond chemistry. But as quickly as it appeared, she trampled it with that Can’t touch this attitude she was famous for.

“Well, the moment has officially passed, Ranger.”

His lips curled into a smile. “Until the next moment presents itself.”

“Good luck with that.” She tucked his keys into his duty belt and then ducked under his arm.

“Your car fixed?”

“Not yet.”

He took the keys and tossed them back to her. “Keep the truck until it is.”

It was like a game of hot potato, the moment the keys touched her hands she threw them back. “That could be weeks.”

He took her hand and placed the keys inside, then closed her fingers around it. “Then you can give these back in a few weeks.”

She looked puzzled. “Is this your inner Superman complex coming out?”

“Maybe,” he said. “Or maybe I want to be one of the people who make your life a little easier rather than harder.” When she tried yet again to hand them back, he shook his head. “You’re still working nights at the bar?”

“Do unicorns fart rainbows?”

That got a little chuckle out of him. “Then you need transportation.”

“I need a new job,” she mumbled. “And I can find my own way to work.”

Hand still closed around hers, he gently squeezed it. “Keep them, Kitten.”

Her eyes were locked on their connected hands, but she didn’t move. “What did I say about calling me that?”

“Then why do you blush every time I do?”

She jerked back. “It’s an allergic reaction to prolonged exposure to nice guys.”

He chuckled. “You say it like that’s a bad thing.”

She rolled her eyes. “Haven’t you ever heard that nice guys finish last?”

Nolan leaned in until his lips grazed the outer curve of her ear and whispered, “As long as you finish first, I’m good with that.”

“Nolan,” she said in warning, but he noticed that she shivered. “We are not having sex any time soon, big guy.”

“Soon. So that means it’s still on the table.”

“It was never on the table.”

“Hmmm.”

“What?”

“Never took you for a liar.” He looked at the garage. “Now you want to talk about that monstrosity?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Then why are you waiting on my front porch with a can of orange paint?”

“You saw me before I could flee the scene of the crime. And the spray paint isn’t mine. A friend left it behind.”

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