slides a towel that was hanging on the shower rod down to the side of the curtain that I can’t see. When he opens the curtain, he’s covered in the towel and brushing the long strands of his dirty-blond hair back with his hand.
His chest is glistening with moisture and pink from how hot the water must have been. His back is to me as he brushes his teeth at the sink. I admire the muscles in his back as they flex with the simple movements.
I know he knows I’m here. If I’ve learned one thing about Jesse, it’s that he is aware of everyone’s whereabouts at all times.
“I like your place,” I say.
He spits into the sink and wipes his mouth with a towel. “It’s the nicest place I’ve ever stayed during a job. I rent it from a woman in a nursing home. Her family can’t sell it, so they rent it for a small amount. It’s hard finding something on a bartender’s salary.”
“You don’t get paid by the bureau?”
He turns on his electric razor. “I do, but that’s all in a savings account.”
“Big plans?” I tease.
“A few.” He finishes buzzing his jaw. When he turns around, his face is clean and fresh. “You seem disappointed.”
I bite my lip and look down in embarrassment. I didn’t know my face showed my inward reaction. “Nothing. I just … liked your scruff.”
“Good to know.” He walks to his closet and takes a pair of black dress pants and a black dress shirt off the hangers.
He lays them on the bed and then walks up to me by the dresser. His steps slowly pad on the carpet as he closes in on me, pinning my hips to the edge. He smells like soap, musk, and all male. I stare at the smattering of hair on his chest and can’t resist laying my hand on it, feeling his body jolt with the touch.
I look up at the wet hair that now falls to the side in front of his eyes. There’s trepidation in them.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask.
His tongue darts out and licks his lower lip. I watch it glide across and sneak back in as his teeth bite down hard.
I let out a panted breath.
“I need to get in there.” He smiles as he motions to the drawer that my butt is resting against.
I move to the side, and he laughs lightly as he takes a pair of black boxer briefs and socks out.
At the foot of the bed, he glances back at me with raised brows. I raise mine back in question.
He spins a pointed-down finger. “Privacy, please.”
I oblige.
“I’m kidding. You’ve already seen me naked.”
I turn back around. “Still, changing in front of someone is kind of intimate.”
He nods as he drops the towel, showing his full masculinity. “Good thing I like being intimate with you.” He slides on his boxers. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.”
“Why did you date that guy for so long?”
“Expectation, I guess. I liked him a lot when we started dating. I loved him actually. At least, I told myself it was love. We got along, and we enjoyed each other’s company.”
Jesse grimaces as he pulls his pants on. “You didn’t seem that happy.”
“Do I ever?” I joke, knowing I’m the serious one in the family.
“Yes,” he states, and my head pops up. “When you’re talking about work or art, when you take that first sip of a drink, and when you’re joking with Sienna.”
I smash my lips together. “I can think of one more.” He quirks a brow, and I add, “When I’m talking to you. At the bar, those are some of my favorite times. I looked forward to that more than you know.”
His shirt is still on the bed, but he ditches getting dressed and strolls over to me, just as he did before. This time, he doesn’t hesitate in sliding a hand around my waist, leaning down and kissing my lips.
We make out like this for a long time. My hands find his ass, and his explore the curves of my waist and hips until he pulls away and rests his forehead against mine.
The air in my lungs is thick. “I was starting to think you weren’t going to kiss me again.”
“I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“I’ve waited months to kiss you. I’m not missing out on any more chances.”
He stares down at me in shock. “Months?”
My hand flies to my mouth. I’m embarrassed—no, mortified at my