If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,43

practically vibrating beside me. She kept peeking into the back of the truck after asking me if she could open up a small window between the front and the back.

After we arrived at the clinic, we found Skylar already there along with Shay. Jackson was washing up in the back. Between Skylar and Shay, we got the opossum into a carrier to bring him inside and Skylar promptly gave him a sedative.

Jackson examined the opossum and confirmed he had a broken hind leg. Jade insisted on waiting until Jackson confirmed there were no internal injuries and he’d set the broken leg. Jade only agreed to leave after he assured her the opossum was going to be fine, and he and Shay would make sure he was comfortable for the night.

The space inside my truck was quiet as I drove through the darkness toward home. I’d come to discover it was impossible to be near Jade and not feel that crackle of electricity between us. However, during the opossum rescue, I’d been understandably preoccupied. Now that was over, it felt as if the air around us was shimmering and vibrating with the desire banked inside my body.

Moonlight fell through the window, casting her profile partially in shadow. Her face had clean lines with a slightly stubborn tilt to her jaw. All of it was softened by her full, lush lips. As if she sensed my gaze on her, she turned, her eyes catching with mine. It felt as if a flame flickered to life between us.

I had to look away—I was driving, after all—but I had to force it. This thing with Jade, whatever it was, was powerful, its own force to reckon with. Although it was unsettling, I wanted her fiercely and with a need that should have given me pause.

When I pulled into her driveway, I faced her. “I’ll walk you in.” When I cut the engine, the air was heavy, laden with raw, charged electricity. The power of it was burgeoning with each passing second.

I didn’t wait for Jade’s reply, climbing out quickly and rounding the truck to get her door. She was already opening it and cut me a sharp look as I held it.

“I do have manners,” I murmured.

Her laugh in return was throaty, the sound of it tossing more fuel on the flames kindling between us. When we stepped onto the small landing in front of her door, Jade turned to me.

I decided not to bother playing this any way other than blunt. “I want you.”

Her breath came out in a startled puff and then she laughed again. “Well, just get right to the point, why don’t you?”

“Thought it might make it easier.”

I waited, giving her a clear chance to send me packing. There was a small light under the curved enclosure above the landing. Her green eyes glittered underneath it, and her cheeks were tinged pink.

“Okay,” she said simply, before turning and unlocking her door. She held it open for me to follow her inside.

My gaze scanned the space. I couldn’t help myself, my curiosity for Jade continued to grow. Just now, I took in that she had gauzy gray curtains in her windows, with touches of purple accents around the room. A half-wall served as a divider between the living room and kitchen and was painted in a deep purple, while the rest of the walls were soft cream. There were hardwood floors with round rugs strategically placed.

The living room had a large sectional sofa in the corner and a cushioned ottoman. Aside from a television mounted on the wall and two end tables, that was the extent of the furnishings. The kitchen, to the left from the front door, had a round table and counters lining three walls. The space was cozy, although I would’ve expected as much given the size of the house. It was a single-story bungalow style home.

Jade kicked off her shoes and shrugged out of her jacket, hanging it on a coat stand that looked like a flower. The space, though simple, was a touch more whimsical than I would’ve expected for Jade.

She tossed her purse on the table by the door. “Well, are you coming in?”

I felt my lips kick up into a smile. “I’m already inside.”

“I guess you can stay there. Would you like something to drink?” she called over her shoulder as she strode away.

My eyes immediately were drawn to the subtle sway of her hips and the swing of her hair. I didn’t know