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Alyssa jutted her hip out. “Stop acting like a ten year old and give me my phone.”

“Promise to leave it?”

She gritted her teeth behind her smile. “Yes.”

He plopped it in her hand. “Come on. I’ll give you a lift home.” Turning to Ford and Jace, John said, “I’ll hit ya’ll up later.” They looked at him as if he’d spoken a foreign language. John just shook his head, a smile dancing across his face.

John pulled Alyssa to his side as they began walking to his truck. He gave a light squeeze to her shoulder and she leaned into him almost perfectly, fitting in like a missing puzzle piece. He questioned himself about her. What was it that drew him in, aside from her beauty and smart mouth? At times she appeared drawn and closed off, other times she was all smiles and a breath of fresh air. Most of the time he felt like girls only wanted to be his friend because of who is brother is, but Alyssa didn’t seem to care about Luke’s status. Or maybe it was because she didn’t care for country music either?

John opened the driver’s side door and Alyssa climbed in, scooting over to the passenger seat. Their movements felt natural, like they had been doing it for years … and she liked it. Strangely, she found reliability in John. The one thing she wanted. Like roots that couldn’t be cut. She couldn’t quite place it, but he called out to her silently and she took the bait.

After a few songs played on the radio, they were pulling into her driveway.

Turning to John, she said, “Thanks again for the lift.”

“I told you it was no problem.”

“See you later.” Alyssa smiled, and stepped out of John’s truck. She slammed the door shut and stepped to leave.

“Wait.”

“What are you …” she trailed off as John walked around the front of his truck, his eyes never leaving hers. She took two steps back and he pressed her against the door with his body.

He had to. John had to kiss her, or at least see if she wanted to kiss him the way he did her. Her kissable lips were begging for his. He knew it was crazy, but he didn’t care.

John rested his forearm above her head on the hood of his truck while he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He hovered above her mouth, breathing quietly and taking her in. She was so beautiful. Something about Alyssa stirred John deep inside and it scared him. Maybe it was her feisty attitude combined with her tough demeanor underneath her pretty soft skin that got to him. Maybe it was her sparkling blue eyes.

Maybe he didn’t care what it was as long as he was near her.

“Tell me you want to kiss me, because I sure as hell want to,” he drawled, and it was sexy as hell.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she whispered against his lips.

John didn’t move. “Why’s that?”

“Because nothing good can come from a kiss?”

His eyes danced with trouble. “Says who? If that’s the case, then you aren’t being kissed right because a lot of good things can come from a kiss, honey. Trust me,” he said huskily, pressing his hips into her.

“While that may be true,” she held him tighter. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“May I? I promise to make it worth it,” John whispered when she didn’t answer, caressing her jaw with his thumb. He was just inches from her mouth.

Her lips tingled, her heart thumped against her chest. Alyssa became immobilized under him. Her eyes drifted closed waiting for his mouth to descend. And then, soft lips blanketed her parted ones. She nearly sighed at the feel of John’s warm mouth on hers. He tilted his head to the side and sealed every inch of her mouth with his as he held both sides of her jaw.

John nipped at her lips, pulling then kissing, but not delving in as much as his dick was telling him to. His tongue slipped out and danced across, sneaking in here and there. His blood was simmering and his heart was pounding from wanting more than what she was giving.

Slowly opening his eyes, John looked for her sparkling blues, but they were closed. Alyssa’s black lashes rested against her flushed cheeks as he continued to drop kisses to her mouth.

Grazing across her lips, he whispered, “See you tomorrow.”

Alyssa was breathless as she walked away, unable to form words. She’d never been k

issed in such a simple, yet sensual, way before that left her with goose bumps. It was electric and wild.

As crazy as it sounded, she wanted to feel his lips on her again, and soon. Alyssa stood still watching John drive away, a cloud of dirt flying up behind his truck with a smile so big her cheeks hurt.

Later that night, long after the sun set and her class work was completed, Alyssa struggled with falling asleep. She worried about finding a job, but was at ease knowing she was finally being able to settle in one place. Throughout her jumbled thoughts, she kept drifting back to John. She hadn’t been expecting his kiss, but oh did she like it. It was a blend of temptation and desire, taunting her with what he was capable of. Just thinking about it caused a tingle to run down her spine.