Page 1

Chapter 1

Jimmy – Kiss of Death

Iwas a killer kisser, but I never expected her to pass out. Melena’s lips were luscious and soft. Everything about her was luscious and soft, and I was enjoying every second until she wasn’t. Conscious, that is. She went limp in my arms, and I realized it was more than desire. I ripped my lips from hers. She hung slack in my arms.

Shaking her gently had no impact.

“Melena! Melena! Are you okay?”

Her face was lax, and eyes closed. Not okay. I was an idiot. The worst kind of idiot; the kind who hurts people. I didn’t think I’d sucked the life out of her, but clearly, I was doingsomethingwrong.

I could easily handle her weight, but boneless as she was, the best I could manage was to help her slither awkwardly to the cold linoleum. Her kitchen floor was icy compared to the heat we generated together. Laying her on a blanket would be better, but breathing was a priority.

Melena’s lashes lay like deep shadows beneath her eyes, and her skin had a bluish cast. “Melena!”

Idiot.Saying her name wasn’t doing anything for her. I’d trained for this. I shouldn’t be panicking. Apparently, an EMT grade first aid certification wasn’t enough to keep calm when it was someone close to me.Focus. First step: get her on her back. Check. Second step: see if she’s breathing.I held my own breath, watching intently for hers. Her chest moved slightly.Thank God.Check her pulse.I placed my fingertips at her wrist. Her heart beat was rapid, but so was my own.

Her lashes fluttered, but her eyes didn’t open.

“Melena, come on. Wake up. Please? You’re scaring me here. If you don’t wake up in a moment, I’m calling EMS. I’ll never hear the end of it with my squad. Come on.”

I scanned her body for anything restricting her breathing or blood flow. Our evening up to now hadn’t been strenuous; we’d had drinks, and I’d lost track of time talking to her. Melena had become more than the cute girl I’d met at yoga. I’d noticed her slipping into the weekly class at my gym but hadn’t worked up the nerve to do anything other than steadily move my mat closer to hers. After weeks of subtle maneuvering, I’d finally managed to score a spot a few mats down from hers. I’d nearly groaned aloud when Dina, a silver-haired cougar, slid in between us. As the teacher led us through each new pose, the older woman let out ostentatious groans more suited to a porn set than stretching. No one else seemed to find anything odd as more moans filled the quiet studio, but Melena’s sparkling eyes met mine in the mirror in barely suppressed laughter, and her conspiratorial smile told me I was more than empty-headed gym scenery, but someone she could joke around with. But tonight’s episode wasn’t funny.

Her shiny dark hair was fanned around her head like a halo on the cool floor, but her lax expression was more Madonna than imp.Please, stay earthbound, angel.

Melena’s cherry-red top showed a fair amount of generous cleavage. I slipped my fingers beneath her back, scrabbling for a clasp. It was first aid. #NotAPerv. I made quick work of the fastener and tried to convince myself she was breathing easier. She still wasn’t awake. Her top was long, covering the wide waistband of her leggings. There was nothing there to restrict blood flow or breathing. My gaze continued down her shapely thighs and calves to her feet, clad in killer heels with pointy toes. Torture devices for sure. But they didn’t look like they’d induce unconsciousness. Still, to be safe, I pried them off her feet.

“Jimmy?” her weak voice got my attention. She glanced down at me in confusion.

“Melena. You had me so worried.”

“What are you doing to my feet?”

“You were unconscious. I wanted to make sure you weren’t wearing anything restrictive,” I answered in my most matter-of-fact tone.

“I’m not one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. My shoes fit just fine.”

I ignored the fine tremor in my hands as I moved back up to her shoulders. What healthy thirty-something woman passed out?

“How do you feel? You scared me there.”

Her breath was shaky. “I scared me too. I’m not sure what happened. One moment, we were kissing, and my heart was racing, and the next moment, I woke up to you removing my footwear. Are you sure you don’t have a weird foot fetish?”

I was pretty sure she was joking. Pretty sure. “Nope. Feet are not my thing. I’m a boob man.” Smooth. I was smooth like that.

“Is that why my bra is undone?” she asked.

I sighed. “I wish. No, that’s still the first aid. Do you know why you passed out? I mean, I’m a good kisser, but that’s not the usual response.”

She shrugged and took a big breath. “I’m not sure. My blood was rushing in my ears and then, boom, lights out. It hasn’t happened before.”

I squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re back with me.”

Her liquid brown gaze met mine. “Thanks,” she said softly. Her voice tremored as she continued. “I’m glad you were here.”

I smiled. “Me too.”

Her expression turned wry. “But don’t go getting a big head.”