Page 18

We were quiet as we descended the wall and headed down the street. It was empty, and most of the lights were off in the surrounding houses.

Soon, Jess stopped and walked up a short path. Her wooden house looked the same as mine. It had an angular, black roof, and wooden siding. The roof absorbed sunlight during the day and generated power. There were some green plants in a large planter by the front door.

She hadn’t left any lights on and the house was draped in shadows.

She turned to face me. “Well, thanks for walking me home, and for the stargazing.”

I nodded and slid my hands in my pockets. I felt… Hell, I didn’t know what I felt. I just knew that Jessica Ramos unsettled me.

She stepped closer and I smelled her perfume. Something with a lush, sexy undertone.

“Good night, North.”

“Night.” I lowered my head and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

She stilled. I stilled. My lips were touching soft skin.

Then she made a sound.

A soft, hungry sound.

My gut clenched, and I dug deep for some control. But I still let my lips ghost over her skin. Her hands tangled in the front of my T-shirt.

Then she turned her head. Our gazes connected, just as her lips touched mine.

I heard something inside me snap like a rubber band. Then my mouth was on hers—hot and hard. I kissed her, and she returned it just as eagerly.

Before I knew it, our tongues were tangling and I lifted her off her feet.

She let out a husky sound and wrapped her legs around my waist. I slid my hands around to cup her curvy ass.

I took two steps, and her back hit the front door.

Then I devoured her.

Jess

God,the man could kiss.

I surrendered to it. I stopped thinking and worrying and overanalyzing. My tongue stroked his and I slid my fingers into his thick hair. North tasted like sin and the best mistakes. For the first time in a long time, I just let myself feel.

There was no work. No grief. No worry. Just pure desire.

It felt so good.

His hard body pinned me to the door. I slid my hands to his broad shoulders, kneading the muscles that I found there. I moaned. He was all hard muscle.

“Jesus… Jess.” His mouth moved to my neck and pleasure shot through me.

With a cry, I arched into him. “Inside,” I panted.

“What?”

I fumbled for the door and slapped my hand to the lock.

I heard it beep and the door clicked open. We stumbled inside. North caught me so we didn’t fall. I already knew he had strength and good reflexes.

He slammed the door shut, and then I was pinned to the wall beside it. We shared another deep, sexy kiss. I was going up in flames.