Page 37 of Ride the Lightning

Deny. Deny. Deny.Jonah opened his mouth to dispute Avery’s accusation, but the truth spilled out instead. “No, I didn’t.”

“Why?” Avery asked.

Jonah didn’t trust himself to speak, so he shrugged.

“You were furious when you mistook my allergic reaction for the aftermath of a serious make-out session. Why?”

Jonah’s mouth was suddenly too dry to speak, so he shrugged again.

“Bullshit,” Avery growled. He rose on his tiptoes, gripped the back of Jonah’s neck, and pulled him down into a kiss.

Jonah stiffened at the first tender press of lips against his because he’d fantasized about kissing Avery for so long. His hesitation made Avery second-guess himself, and he started to step back.

“I don’t fucking think so,” Jonah roughly growled, pulling Avery into his arms and slanting his mouth over the younger man’s.

Avery gasped either in surprise or pleasure, and Jonah took advantage, slipping his tongue inside Avery’s mouth to tease and explore. Avery moaned, fisted his hands in Jonah’s hair, and melted against him.

Jonah backed Avery up against his car and ravaged his mouth. Every fantasy he’d had over the past eight months paled in comparison to the real thing. Heat, longing, and lust slammed together, twisting and swirling through Jonah’s body like a cyclone, threatening to wreak havoc on him and everyone who stood in the way. Still, Jonah couldn’t get enough. He slid his hands down to cup Avery’s firm ass, loving the way the smaller man canted his hips toward Jonah, seeking friction and heat.

Avery sucked his tongue, and it took everything Jonah had not to throw him over his shoulder and carry Avery off to his bedroom.

Honk. Honk.

The blaring car horn startled Jonah and Avery apart.

“Do that shit inside your house,” a snarling punk yelled out the window of a passing car.

“This has been one of the strangest days in my life,” Jonah muttered as they watched the bright yellow Honda Accord disappear around the corner. “I wouldn’t be screaming at people from a vehicle that recognizable.”

Avery mumbled something indecipherable. Jonah hooked his forefinger beneath his chin, lifting his head until Avery met his gaze.

“What was that?” Jonah asked.

“It’s not all bad, right?” Avery asked.

Jonah traced his thumb over Avery’s thoroughly kissed lips. He liked being the reason for Avery’s flushed cheeks and plump mouth instead of an avocado. “I said strange, not bad, and some of it’s been pretty fucking amazing.”

Avery nipped Jonah’s thumb. “You’re not freaking out?”

“Oh, I am,” Jonah countered. “But I don’t regret it.”

Avery heaved a relieved sigh. “I should probably head back to work.”

“Is Trexler treating you okay?” Jonah asked, brushing his knuckles along Avery’s cheekbone.

Avery leaned into his touch. “You’re making it hard to be good.”

“Sorry,” Jonah said. He started to lower his hand, but Avery made an adorable growling noise, so Jonah continued touching him. He would’ve encouraged Avery to do the same, but it could result in them getting arrested for indecent exposure. He settled for tracing Avery’s jawbone before resting his palm against his neck, smiling when he felt the erratic pulse throbbing beneath Avery’s skin.

“Um, I forgot what I was going to say,” Avery whispered.

“I asked if Trexler was treating you okay.”

“Oh, him. Yeah,” Avery said, nodding. “Too nice. I think Trexler’s going out of his way to prove he’s not the problem in your dynamic. Everyone knows better.”

Jonah hated knowing everyone talked about him. Pitied him. Placed bets on him. He needed to reevaluate how badly he wanted to continue working in a hostile environment. Was it worth the stress? He shoved the thoughts aside to focus on the man in his arms. Jonah lowered his head and kissed Avery long and slow, loving the way Avery clung to his biceps.

Avery broke the kiss suddenly and panted for air. “Jonah, if we don’t stop now, I will drag you into the house and do wicked things to your body.”