Page 55 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

A breath of laughter makes my heart pick up its pace before she takes the rose from my grasp and sets it carefully next to the box I’d left in the hallway outside her door. “Maybe I’ve had enough chitchat for one day.”

“Is that what we’re doing? Chatting?”

“You tell me,” she whispers. Her voice is so quiet and breathy, I’m surprised I heard her at all. Regardless, the sound goes straight to my groin, and it takes everything inside of me to keep my hands at my sides when I’m desperate to drag her toward me and kiss the shit out of her. Still. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

My gaze drops down to her lips. “Can I kiss you again?”

“Is that all you’re here for?”

I pause and drag my gaze back to hers. This feels like a test. I’m just not sure what the right answer is.

“Is that a trick question?” I ask.

She swallows. “I-I don’t know anymore.”

As if in slow motion, I close the distance between us and press a slow, close-mouthed kiss to the birthmark that I know she loathes even more than her father. Her gasp makes my heart pound harder in my chest, but I surprise both of us by pulling away and standing to my full height.

“Goodnight, Bianca.”

A ‘v’ forms in the center of her eyebrows as she watches me carefully. Like a simple kiss managed to turn her world upside down in the blink of an eye. She doesn’t get it though. Mine’s been upside down for months, and I would’ve given anything to fix it until I met her. Now, I’m starting to wonder if the bumpy ride might be worth it if I wind up with her by my side.

Or maybe I really have lost my mind.

Shaking my head back and forth, I turn on my heel and leave her room before crossing the hall to my own.

She’s right. That’s enough chitchat for one evening.

But as soon as she’s ready, I’m coming for more.

17

Bianca

“Where are you taking me?” I ask as I watch the trees slowly blend into rolling hills on the side of the road. We’ve been driving for hours, yet I still can’t decide if I’m getting my hopes up or not.

“It’s a surprise.”

“I hate surprises.”

“I’m not surprised,” Jack returns just as quickly.

With a glare, I tear my gaze away from the horizon and turn them on the culprit of my every waking thought since our little dinner date with his FBI boss.

“Spill,” I demand, using the bossiest voice I can muster up.

He laughs but doesn’t even bother to look at me. “Sorry, Bianca, but I’ve spent years studying interrogation tactics and how to withstand them when they’re shoved down my throat, so the death glare isn’t gonna work on me. A for effort though.”

“You’re seriously not going to tell me where we’re going?” I whine, trying a different tactic.

“I’m seriously not going to tell you where we’re going.”

Even though the bastard isn’t looking at me, I stick my bottom lip out for good measure. “But why?”

Giving me the side-eye, another deep laugh reverberates through his chest. “Because I said so.”

This man is infuriating!

“Come on, Jack. At least give me a hint. Please?”