We finished that load and to change the subject, I said, “How about you use those muscles so we can finish unloading the truck? I was promised food for helping out and I expect to be paid. In full.”
Thankfully, Jamie took the hint that I was done talking about my problems. “Friends don’t bribe friends to help with something as basic as moving.”
“No,” I agreed. “They don’t, unless the bribe was part of the ask for help, which makes it legally binding.” My stomach chose that moment to let out a growl of hunger. “See?”
“Your bottomless appetite is one of my favorite things about you, Maddie.”
I stopped and stared at him. “You really need to work on your compliment game, Jamie, because as far as compliments go, that one sucked.”
His deep laughter brought a smile to my face, the sound, so rumbly, reverberated deep in my chest—and other parts. “I thought it was a pretty good compliment.”
“Think again,” I said, unable to hide my giggle.
Eventually, we had all the boxes from the moving truck scattered all over Jamie’s condo, every single one in the room indicated on the box.
“Your organizational skills are one of my favorite things about you, Jamie.” Along with just how well he filled out a gray t-shirt.
“Thanks, I think.”
I laughed at his tone and made my way to the kitchen because that was the room to unpack first. It was where the food and coffee lived. I worked on my own for more than an hour while Jamie set up his bedroom, a place I had no intention of going if I could help it. The temptation was strong and, unfortunately, the attraction was even stronger.
“Ready to eat?”
“Holy shit!” I whirled around and glared at his stupid, smiling handsome face. “You scared the hell out of me, Jamie.”
He laughed. “Who were you expecting?”
I shrugged, still on edge while my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest. “Hell, I don’t know. Damn! You scared me.”
“Sorry.” He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight, and like the weakling I was, I leaned into that hug. I wanted the warm strength of his arms, his masculine scent invading my senses, and most of all, I wanted to hear the wild beat of his heart in my ear.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, Maddie.”
I looked up into his eyes. “I know. It’s just, hell I don’t know what it is Jamie. I’m jumpy and out of sorts, that’s all.”
His brows dipped into a low, concerned vee. “Did something happen? Talk to me.”
I smiled and cupped his cheek because he really was the sweetest man I ever met, wrapped up in that big, strong body. “Nothing specific, Jamie. It’s just life in general, I guess.”
“You sure?”
I nodded, feeling my nipples bead against his rock hard body.
“Positive.” I took a step back and grinned. “You’re sweet for worrying.”
“Sweet?”
The word came out on a low growl, and before I could take another step away, Jamie’s mouth crashed down on mine, demanding and intense.
It was a totally unexpected kiss, but holy hell, it was the mother of all fucking kisses. In fact, I was sure that no one in the history of the world had ever been kissed as thoroughly as he was kissing me.
His lips were soft, but his scruff scraped the edges of my lips and chin. He tasted like the cinnamon gum he chewed nonstop, and suddenly, it was my favorite flavor, Jamie and hot cinnamon gum. It was fantastic. My nipples were as hard as diamonds and my panties got wetter by the second, and when Jamie pressed his whole body against mine, I shuddered and let out a sigh.
God, yes. I wanted this kiss and what it was leading to more than anything in that moment. But my brain chose that moment to step up and inject logic into the proceedings.
Jamie’s your friend.
Your best and only friend.
But I like him. A lot.
But relationships don’t last, and you’ll probably lose him.
That reminder was the equivalent of a bucket of ice water mixed with acid all over me, and I took a step back, chest heaving with breathlessness.
“Jamie.” My eyes were wide as I stared up at him. “That was…wow.”
His lips curled into a satisfied smile. “It was.”
“It was also a bad idea.”
“It was?”
I nodded, seeing the future in quick takes laid out before me. From that one kiss, we’d wind up naked and having fun, a lot of fun, but after that would come awkwardness and accusations and eventually, goodbye.
“It was. I should, uh, go.”
Feeling sad and disappointed and so turned on I wanted to scream, I fled Jamie’s condo like it was on fire.
Chapter Fourteen
Jameson
Checking something out. Be in a little later. Ellison.
That was the message I sent to Agent Beck from the lobby of Savannah’s brand new office building. The men in my family were big on asking forgiveness rather than permission, and I was no different. It was easier to apologize if it didn’t pan out than to argue with Beck who was at times, irrational.