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I’m rewarded with another sweet smile as she picks a show I’ve never heard of called The Night Agent .

She starts the series and we dig into our food.

I do my best to stay focused on the show—it’s actually right up my alley, with tons of violence and action—but the little sounds of pleasure Audrey makes as she eats are distracting.

My attention keeps dragging her way, gaze catching on the way her lips wrap around the spoon as she adds a bite into her mouth.

Zeroing in on the way her eyes almost roll back as she chews.

When she licks her lips, I’m forced to adjust my position, hoping to hide my body’s reaction to all her little moans and soft sighs.

Maybe this is a side effect of my injury.

Another way my body is coming back online after being out of commission.

When I first was able to do cardio again, I couldn’t seem to get enough.

I’d run for miles or spend hours on the stepper.

It was like I craved that physical release. Maybe this is the same sort of thing.

Because I fucking hated cardio before. Not that I hate sex.

I love sex. I just don’t generally crave it unless I’m in a very specific sort of situation.

One where I’m borderline obsessed with a woman and she’s borderline obsessed with me.

There’s got to be feelings—strong and mutual—for me to fuck.

I know it’s not that way for everyone, but that’s how it’s always been for me.

So this little… development? It’s kinda throwing me off.

I let out a sigh of relief when Audrey finishes her meal and slides the empty bowl onto the table.

“That was delicious.” She turns to me, angling her body on the cushions as she tucks both feet up under her butt. “Where did you learn to cook like that?”

“Savannah, actually.” I finish off my own food and stack my bowl under hers. “She and her husband Zeke live right next door to me, and she’s pretty much my best friend, so I’m over there annoying them a lot.”

A sad smile curves Audrey’s lips. “That sounds really nice.” Her head tips, resting against the cushion. “I don’t know any of my neighbors.” She lifts one shoulder and drops it in a shrug. “Outside of that, they’re all about fifty years older than I am.”

“That’s not a bad thing. Probably why it’s so quiet.” It worked against me when I came through her window, but it will definitely help if someone else tries to get in. I’ll hear them coming a mile away.

“It is quiet, but it’s also kind of lonely.” She straightens, eyes staying on my face. “It’s been nice having somebody else around. I’m sure my television was getting real tired of listening to me lecture everyone making stupid decisions on the shows I watch.”

“I’m happy to be of service.” I waggle my brows at her. “How do you feel about cookies?”

Audrey’s eyes widen. “You know how to make cookies too?”

I flash her a grin as I reach for our dirty dishes. “Killing people isn’t my only skill.” I grab the edge of the bottom bowl. “Let me take these into the kitchen and I’ll show you what else I can do.”

I don’t realize the suggestion in my words until Audrey starts to laugh, head tipping back as the light sound spills from her lips.

“I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s said awkward things.

” She pulls in a choppy breath as she leans my way, resting her hand in the center of my chest. “When I said I would get you dressed earlier, I wanted to die.”

“Don’t die. That’ll go on my record.” She also shouldn’t die over something like that, because while it might not have been what she meant, it did manage to occupy my mind for a little while.

A lot of while. The whole time I was folding that fucking shirt everyone who walked in the door inspected, I thought about her words. Accidentally might have even imagined Audrey’s soft hands moving over my skin as she peeled away the layers I was wearing.

But in my imagination, she didn’t exactly replace them.

Audrey laughs harder at my teasing about the reason she shouldn’t die. “I definitely don’t want my death to sully your record.” She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “You’re so funny.” Then, before I realize what’s happening, she leans in and plants her lips right on mine.

The second our bodies connect, we both freeze. I go completely still, shocked and confused. And—if I’m being completely honest—that confusion isn’t over what she’s doing, but my body’s reaction to it.

Before I can really analyze what’s happening, Audrey pulls back, a hand flying to cover the lips that were just pressed so sweetly to mine. Eyes wide, her skin pales as she says, “Oh my gosh. I don’t know why I did that. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. Don’t apologize.” I release the dishes I was still holding, deciding now is not the time to walk away.

“You’re in a high stress situation and you’ve been dealing with the unthinkable for years.

You’re going to do things you wouldn’t normally do, and that’s okay.

I’m not upset.” Not in the slightest, though that might be an issue worth investigating.

But Audrey still looks mortified, upset by her actions to the point I’m worried she might cry. And seeing her cry earlier today was fucking awful. I don’t want to deal with it again.

So, in a moment of possibly flawed thinking, I pull her hand from her face, and lean in to kiss her back.

I mean, if me saying something suggestive made her feel better about what she’d accidentally said, this should work the same way, right?

She kissed me and felt bad about it, so me kissing her will negate those feelings.

Except my kiss isn’t quick like hers. I linger, not wanting to give up the plush texture of her lips against mine.

I’ve overcome a lot recently, but forcing my mouth off Audrey’s takes an amount of willpower I haven’t had to exert in a long fucking time.

“There.” My voice sounds wrong. Too deep. Too raspy. “Now we both made things weird.”

Audrey’s eyes drop to fix on my mouth. “You did a better job of making it weird that I did though, so things still seem a little unbalanced.” Her hands come to my face and she leans close, this time kissing me with intent. With purpose. Forethought and resolve.

I can’t stifle my groan as her tongue flicks against the seam of my mouth, taunting me. Tempting me.

And I am not nearly as strong as I believe, because I give in.

Not only do I give in, I fucking jump with both feet.

In the blink of an eye, Audrey’s no longer beside me, but straddling my lap as I pull her close, the heady taste of her overwhelming my senses.

Her hands move from my face to my hair, fingers digging in to hold tight as her tongue teases against mine.

She tastes so sweet they should fucking bottle it up and sell it on the shelf.

She smells just as good—fresh and floral—and I pull as much of it into my lungs as I can manage, trying to memorize the scent.

Sliding both hands up her back, I grip the plush fabric of her robe and pull her closer, wanting to feel as much of her as I can.

Her thighs spread wider, and the hot line of her pussy presses right against the ridge of my dick.

For the second time since meeting Audrey, it’s fully hard and rubbing against her soft body.

Or maybe she’s rubbing against it. At this point I can’t tell who’s doing what and I don’t really care. The mistakes probably belong to both of us in equal part.

I bring my hands to her hips, fingers gripping the slight curve as they move against me.

I urge her on, chasing the same thing she is as her breathing speeds up, coming in sharp pants against my cheek as her lips stay sealed against mine.

When they drag free, my name whispers between them as she comes against me, dark lashes splayed across her cheeks as her head falls back and a shudder wracks her frame.

Her body barely finishes twitching before Audrey’s eyes fly open, that look of horror back. “Oh my God.” She tries to scramble away, but I hold tight.

“Audrey, relax.”

“Relax?” Her voice pitches. “I just rubbed against you until I came.” Her hands press against her cheeks, the distress she’s feeling evident. “Who does something like that? You’re my bodyguard. I’m paying you to be here, and I just humped you like a dog.”

That reminds me about her dog, but I’m gonna have to circle back to that later.

“Calm down. You didn’t do anything wrong.” I lower my voice as I remind her, “I kissed you back, remember?”

Was it a wise decision? In hindsight...

Yes. Yes, it was.

I try to meet Audrey’s wild gaze, continuing to hold her tight so I know she won’t try to run away again. “Look at me.”

Her eyes finally come to mine, and the humiliation and regret simmering in their depths stabs through me like a knife. I want to fix it. I want her to understand it’s fine. Nothing has changed. “Do you remember what I said to you?”

She shakes her head, chin wobbling.

“I said all you have to do is stay alive.” And I meant it. Just as much as I meant the rest. “I’ll take care of everything else.” I risk letting go with one hand so I can smooth back her still-damp hair. “So don’t feel bad for letting me take care of something for you.”