appealing than I thought it would be. Just so you know—later I’m going to ask you to show me how to disarm someone with a Q-tip.”
“Why are you afraid of someone with a Q-tip?”
She crossed to him and put her hands on her hips. “Very funny. You know what I mean.”
“I do and a Q-tip is a pretty silly weapon.”
“A spoon, then.”
“You can do a lot with a spoon.”
As he spoke, he put his hands on her waist, drawing her against him. She went willingly, aware of the sudden interest from her girl parts. She was conscious of the danger, but the possibility of being left seemed less significant now that they were standing so close. And the possibility of him kissing her again seemed so much more important.
They weren’t touching anywhere good. At least not yet. But she was close enough to feel the heat of him.
He was tall and broad and strong and should be someone who made her nervous. Only he didn’t. It was probably their past. Because she’d adored the boy, she trusted the man. She’d been predisposed to like him from the second he’d returned to her life. She could only hope he wouldn’t prove to be yet another romantic mistake.
She gazed into his eyes, noting the various colors of blue that made up his irises. His lashes were slightly darker than his hair. With his chiseled chin and high cheekbones, he was handsome but still masculine. All in all, an impressive package.
“What on earth are you doing in this tiny town?” she asked. “Shouldn’t you have settled down in Paris or New York?”
“My French sucks and Angel hates New York.”
Good information but it didn’t answer the real question. Probably because she hadn’t asked it.
Are you going to break my heart? That’s what she really wanted to know.
Apparently Justice was a mind reader in addition to his other bodyguard-based skills, because his gaze intensified.
“I’m not one of the good guys. You have to know that.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant the information was common knowledge or that it was important for her to realize the fact. In the end, she supposed it didn’t matter.
“Does it occur to you by saying that, you’re proving the opposite?” she asked.
He moved his hands to the bottom of her T-shirt. He pulled on the fabric, studying the design. “Flamingos?”
“They’re fun birds who love a good martini.”
“I can see that.”
His gaze locked with hers. He raised his arms and slid his fingers through her hair. “What the hell am I going to do with you?”
She supposed she should be quiet and let him work through the problem on his own. However, the answer seemed obvious and she couldn’t help saying, “Kiss me.”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Still cupping her head, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. She rested her hands against his chest and let her eyes sink closed. The feel of his mouth—soft, yet firm, anchored her in place. In the space of a single heartbeat, she knew surrender was inevitable. Maybe not today, but soon. When he asked, she would say yes. Not because of how long it had been but because this was Justice and she’d felt connected to him for half her life.
There would be consequences. There were always consequences. She would figure out a way to keep her heart safe. But that was for later....
She tilted her head, then slid her hands up to his shoulders. He dropped his to her hips and drew her against him. Even as his tongue slipped inside and brushed against hers, his fingers settled on her rear and squeezed.
She sank against him, letting his body cradle hers. The deep kisses stirred her senses. She traced his shoulders, then moved down his arms, wanting to feel all of him. Need took on a frantic edge.
He moved his head so he could press his lips to her jaw, and then he eased down to her ear where he bit on the lobe. Jolts of need and hunger burned through her and he licked the sensitive spot right below her ear.
At the same time he shifted his hands to her waist and began to move them higher. Her breath caught in anticipation. He kissed his way down her neck. She let her head fall back and waited for his fingers to touch her—
He straightened, dropping his hands to his sides. Her eyes snapped open. Passion darkened his eyes, but along with the desire was a determination. The question was a determination about what? To avoid the obvious next step? Because she was ready. More than ready. She was eager.
She dropped her gaze and saw what looked like a very impressive erection straining against the front of his jeans. Okay, that was good. She wasn’t the only one panting here.
“I’m not who you think.”
The statement came out of nowhere and took her a second to process. “Because you used to be a woman?”
The tension in his face eased. He gave a raw laugh. “No. Because of my past. What I’ve done and seen. It’s complicated.”
She wanted to argue with him. To say it was simple. So simple they should take off all their clothes and just get to it. But advice from friends suddenly popped into her head. Something along the lines of when a guy tells you he’s flawed, it’s important to listen.
A man admitting he had never been faithful or that he wasn’t interested in a commitment was probably telling the truth. So when Justice said things were complicated, she should pay attention.
“Is there someone else?” she asked.
“No.”
“Are you playing me?”
He touched her cheek. “No. I give you my word.”
“It’s because you didn’t come back before now, right? This is about why you stayed away?”
She saw the truth in his eyes and took a step back.
“Okay,” she said slowly. “Tell me now. Why didn’t you? Why was it okay to see Ford and not me?”
“Because I can’t hurt Ford.”
“And you can hurt me.” She raised her chin as she spoke, determined to be strong.
“I don’t want to.” He seemed to struggle for words. “Dammit, Patience, I know what’s right and I can’t resist...”
Her? Them? Sex? This was not the best time for him to be unable to finish a sentence. She waited, hoping he would say more. Maybe admit she’d haunted him. Because she would love to be thought of as the kind of woman who haunted a man rather than one who wore fun T-shirts and did hair.
He cupped her cheeks and lightly kissed her mouth. “Complications. Come on. I’ll buy you
