Secret Kiss

by Melanie Shawn

  Part of her wanted to believe that it was just the generic feeling of any arms, ones even Popeye would be envious of. But, since she had spent the better part of the night in the arms of another man—who was equally muscular—she knew she was getting the endorphin-inducing, pain-relieving effect from the man the arms were attached to.

  When they reached her door, he firmly spoke one word. “Keys.”

  She reached into her small handbag and grabbed the keys. When they were securely in her hands, she started to lean up because she figured Adam would set her on her feet so that she could open the door.

  She was wrong.

  Instead, he tightened his grasp around her, one arm holding her securely in place against his muscled form. Using his other hand, he took the key ring from her and had them both safely inside the house with the door shut in the blink of a freakin’ eye. She was starting to wonder if he was secretly some kind of ninja in addition to being a programming genius.

  “Honestly, I’m okay,” she said, sounding more breathless than she’d meant to, as he stalked through the living room into the kitchen.

  He didn’t answer. After setting her on the counter, he kept one hand on her thigh and flipped the light switch. The next thing she knew, Adam was kneeling before her, gently holding her foot up and examining it.

  She wanted to speak. To reiterate the fact that she was, indeed, fine. But she was struck speechless. The concern on Adam’s handsome features, his large, strong hands on her bare skin, and the heat of his breath on her ankle were—sadly—some of the most erotic things she’d ever experienced.

  Adam lifted his gaze to her. “It’s a bee sting. Are you allergic?”

  At the raspy quality of his voice, tiny goosebumps broke out on her skin. Still unable to form any words, she simply shook her head from side to side.

  Concern flashed in his eyes. “Are you cold?”

  Nope. Just turned on. She continued shaking her head.

  After a small nod, Adam stood with her heel resting in his palm. Then he turned the faucet on before pulling her dress up her legs and bunching it in her lap.

  Oh boy.

  Her mind was telling her that he was just getting her dress out of the way so it didn’t get wet, but her body was screaming that his intentions were to make another part of her body wet. She knew that her mind was right, but if she’d believed in superstition, she would’ve wished on a star, broken a wishbone, knocked on wood, crossed her fingers, done anything to ensure that her body had gotten this one right.

  He moved her foot beneath the stream of water and spoke in an authoritative tone, “Hold still.”

  She had the impulse to say, “Yes, sir,” but thankfully, she still hadn’t regained the use of her vocal cords, so she was spared that embarrassing moment. She answered with a nod instead.

  Using his forefinger and thumb, Adam plucked the stinger out of her skin. Then he rinsed the bottom of her foot off with warm, soapy water. Perhaps she should have felt horrified that a man she barely knew—and had a huge crush on—was washing her feet. But her emotions weren’t even in the, this-can’t-be-happening-I’m-horrified ballpark. Nope. They were living it up in the, this-is-too-good-to-be-true-I-think-I’m-in-love ballpark.

  A man had never taken care of her like this. If this was how he treated someone he barely knew, how did he treat someone he actually cared about? Jane didn’t delude herself that she’d ever be that person, but a girl could dream…

  After turning the water off, he patted her foot with a paper towel then stepped away from her to open the fridge. Finally, when he was no longer touching her, the lust cloud cleared enough for her to speak and finally realize how ridiculous this situation was.

  “You didn’t have to do that, really. I’m fine,” she explained as she started to slide off the countertop. She needed to stand on her own two feet—literally—if she had any hope at all of restoring even a shred of her dignity.

  Before she’d even managed to slide an inch, Adam was back in front of her. He wrapped a dishcloth around a frozen bag of peas, lifted her foot, and secured the makeshift ice pack to it with a rubber band he’d removed from her Saturday paper.

  “Who are you?” she asked in awe. She hadn’t meant to pose the question; it had slipped out. Because come on. This guy was unreal.

  When he lifted his stare to hers, he looked about as serious as she’d ever seen him, which was saying a lot for Adam. He was a pensive guy.

  “I’m MacGyver,” Adam’s tone was flat and his face deadpanned.

  It took a second for his words to register in Jane’s brain, but when they did, she doubled over from laughter. Maybe the joke wasn’t that funny on its own merit, but if she factored in the source, it was knee-slapping hilarious.

  She continued laughing, not able to control herself. Her head fell back as she chuckled. After the wave of giggling subsided, she raised her head, and what she saw caused her to suck in a sharp breath of awareness.

  Adam’s full lips were turned up in broad smile. His grin not only showcased perfect, straight, white teeth, but also not one, but two, deep dimples.

  “Wow. You should do that more often.” The observation wasn’t one she’d planned on making, but she didn’t regret it. He really should.

  “What? Make you laugh?” The deep timbre in his voice sent an erotic chill skittering down Jane’s spine.

  “No.” She shook her head, hoping it would disguise the shiver the vibration of his words had caused. “Smile. You should smile more often.”

  No sooner had she clarified her statement than the very thing she’d endorsed and advocated for more of vanished. His eyes darkened, and Jane’s stomach dropped. She knew she’d just stepped in it. She wasn’t clear on exactly what “it” was, but from the dark cloud that now resided over Adam’s countenance, she knew that “it” wasn’t good.

  Her heart began beating faster as she stuttered. “I didn’t mean… I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… I wasn’t trying…”

  When the warmth of Adam’s large palm touched her bare knee, she stopped talking.

  “It’s fine.” His voice was as smooth as honey.

  A charge of arousal shot from where his fingers were wrapped around her kneecap, dipping into her inner thigh, straight up to her core, and she took in a shaky breath. For a moment, they both remained still, looking into each other’s eyes, the energy between them felt electric with anticipation and lust—at least, it was on her part.

  Jane was scared to move. Scared to speak. Scared to breathe for fear that the moment they were sharing would end.

  Dropping his hand, Adam took one small step away from her. “Where’s your medicine cabinet?”

  There were a lot of things she would have expected Adam to say in that moment. Asking directions to her medicinal supplies wasn’t one of them.

  “Right here.” She turned, opening the cabinet over her right shoulder.

  Reaching over her, he grabbed a pink box and a pill bottle. She was trying to puzzle out what he could possibly be doing when he dropped two Ibuprofen and a Benadryl in her hand. Then, with speed that defied his smooth, easy movements, he filled a glass of water and handed it to her.

  “Take these. I’m just across the street. Call if you need me.”

  After barking those instructions, Adam walked out of Jane’s house. She stayed sitting on her kitchen counter, her dress on her lap, pills in her hand, her foot wrapped with peas and a dishcloth, and all she could think was, I thought he was going to kiss me…

  Yeah, she was in trouble. Big trouble.

  Chapter 12

  ‡

  Monday mornings were usually Jane’s favorite morning of the week. She knew she was in the minority where this particular preference was concerned. Most people hated the day that ended their weekends.

  But Jane loved her job. She loved the challenges it presented, as well as the rewards. She loved solving problems. Fixing things. Finding solutions. Mondays felt like they marked the starting line to a
race she had been born to win.

  At least, they had up until last week.

  With Adam working there now, her enthusiasm to look the world in the face and say, “Bring it on,” had faded from a bright firecracker to a dull, flickering candle about to blow out in the wind. Now, she was all nerves and no gusto. All anxiety and no guts. All swoon and no punch. Adam had unintentionally taken the wind out of her conquer-the-world sails on all things work-related.

  Not that it was Adam’s fault. He was totally blameless in his contribution to her losing the zippity in her do-da. Around him, Jane felt like she was walking in one of those attractions at theme parks and fairs, where it looks like the room is tilting or that you’re tilting, but you can’t right yourself. A fun house tilt-a-room; that pretty much summed up what being in the presence of Adam Dorsey was like. Her body’s response was all her doing.

  She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her on her counter Saturday night. Mike, Nikki, and Adam had taken a spur-of-the-moment flight—in Kyle Austen Reed’s private jet—to Los Angeles to meet with the actor’s lawyers and PR firm yesterday. Mike had called and texted Jane at six a.m. to see if she wanted to go, but she’d slept through the messages thanks to the two glasses of wine she’d had at the fundraiser, which had mixed with the Benadryl Adam had given her for the bee sting. Yeah, she was a total lightweight.

  Turning the key to the front door of the offices, Jane took in a fortifying breath. She could do this. He was just a man. A man she couldn’t stop thinking about. A man who smelled and looked so good that she wanted to lick him like an ice cream cone. A man who set her body ablaze with just a look.

  Yep, just a man.

  “Jane,” a deep voice sounded behind her.

  She pivoted and saw Eli walking across the street from the firehouse. His dark hair was wet—she knew the guys often showered at the station. He was wearing khaki shorts and a white shirt that perfectly complemented his olive skin—it also showcased his muscular form.

  “Hey, Eli.” She waved, and he smiled.

  Jane had to admit that it was a nice smile. And Eli was a really good-looking guy who, for some reason she couldn’t comprehend, seemed genuinely interested in her. But she’d spent a good portion of Saturday night with her body brushing against his on the dance floor and she hadn’t felt half the sparks Adam set off in her if she just thought about him. No zip, zap, zing.

  “I had a lot of fun the other night,” he said casually.

  Jane nodded. “Me too.”

  She wasn’t schooled in the art of the pickup, but she’d seen enough movies and read enough books that she was able to sense that she was about to be asked out. That news should’ve made her happy. It should’ve made her excited. Instead, she wished she could disappear.

  Which was the definition of insane.

  A ridiculously good-looking fireman who could dance and had a great sense of humor wanted to spend time with her. That wasn’t a bad thing. It was a jump-for-joy, pop-champagne, write-it-in-your-diary kind of thing.

  “I’m headed out of town with some of the guys for a couple of days for training, but I was wondering if you might want to grab a drink with me when I get back.”

  “Oh, um…” Jane nodded again, more out of nerves than agreement. Say yes! the logical side of her was screaming. Not heeding her own logic, she heard herself saying, “Maybe…yeah…maybe.”

  “Wow.” Eli’s brow rose—as did the corners of his mouth—as he repeated, “‘Maybe. Yeah. Maybe.’ You should try to reel in your excitement. You’ll give me a big head.”

  The corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled and let out a breath of laughter. “No. I didn’t mean to… I was just surprised. I want to go. That would be fun.”

  Even if not, it’s still something I should want to do. This was going to be a fake-it-till-you-make-it kind of scenario. Again.

  Eli’s head tilted, and confusion appeared on his chiseled features. Jane knew he was about to push her further on whether or not she wanted to go, but thankfully, she was saved by the bell. Actually, it was the chime over the door at Brewed Awakenings.

  “Hey, guys.” Vivien bopped up to them, her vibrant, red hair bouncing around her shoulders.

  Jane had to give it to the girl. Even a cardboard cup holder filled with four freshly brewed coffees couldn’t take the pep out of her step.

  “Thanks.” Jane took the cup Vivien had removed and handed to her. “You are a godsend.”

  “So I’ve been told.” Vivien wagged her brow.

  Facing the day would have been difficult enough. Jane wasn’t sure she could have done it without some fortification of the caffeine variety.

  From across the street, Chris, who was also a firefighter, and Jake, Nikki’s brother and the fire chief, called out to Vivien and Eli. Apparently, the other drinks were for them, and the guys were waiting on Eli to leave.

  Before heading across the street, Eli said pointedly, “So I’ll see you when I get back.”

  She immediately noted that he’d phrased it as a statement, not a question.

  Jane lifted her free hand and put her thumb up. “Sounds good.”

  When Eli headed over to the station, Vivien gave Jane a what-was-that expression, to which Jane shrugged her answer before her friend went back inside the coffee shop, smiling with a knowing expression that gave Jane the sinking feeling that Vivien was going to have some follow-up questions on her next coffee delivery.

  Little did Vivien know that Jane would have been more than happy to fill her friend in, but she had no clue herself. She was going along with it because she’d been so blindsided by the offer, and then she’d felt bad that she hadn’t either: A. shown the appropriate enthusiasm, or B. declined the invitation outright.

  But who knew? Maybe, by the time Eli returned from his trip, she would be looking forward to spending time with him. Maybe absence would make her heart grow fonder—or, in her case, fond at all. Maybe she didn’t need to plan everything and she should go with the flow for once in her life.

  After stepping inside the dark office, she shut the door, took another sip of the hot liquid, and closed her eyes as it slid down her throat.

  “Good morning,” another deep voice sounded.

  The difference with this one was that it caused chills to break out on her arm. Which, in turn, caused her eyes to pop open and the hot liquid she’d been enjoying to go down the wrong pipe.

  Choking on the misdirected liquid that was clogging her windpipe, Jane started coughing as her eyes filled with moisture. Before she knew it, Adam was beside her. He took the coffee cup out of her hand and maneuvered her to the sink in the kitchenette. After spitting out the offending coffee, Jane kept her head down, leaning over the stainless-steel sink. She concentrated on taking even breaths and tried not to think about how good it felt to have Adam’s hands on her body.

  When she finally gained her composure, she grabbed a paper towel from the counter, wiped under her eyes, around her mouth, and under her nose. Then she took a deep breath and faced her rescuer.

  “Thanks,” she rasped as she pivoted on her heels.

  She saw something out of the corner of her eye but didn’t register what it was right away. It wasn’t until the pads of Adam’s fingertips grazed her temples as he brushed a stray piece of hair off her forehead and tucked it behind her ear that she realized what was happening.

  Whoa, boy.

  In a gallant attempt to conceal the pitter-patter of her heart at his sweet gesture, Jane put on a brave face in the form of a wide grin before lifting her head to meet his gaze. But the brave smile slipped when her eyes met Adam’s. Swallowing hard, she leaned back against the sink and gripped the edge to steady herself.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” he explained, standing so close to her that his minty breath fanned over her face.

  “It’s okay,” Jane said breathlessly as her mouth filled with saliva at the delicious man standing before her.

  It’d only been about t
hirty-two hours since she’d seen him last, but from being this close to him now, she was reminded of the first time she’d laid eyes on him across the bar at JT’s. His chiseled features were now covered in a sprinkle of five-o’clock shadow she hadn’t seen since that night. It added an entirely new and elevated dimension to Adam’s sex appeal.

  On some level, Jane knew she should have been mortified by the fact that, moments ago, Adam had held her hair off her face and patted her back while she’d coughed up a lung into the sink. She should have been totally embarrassed because there was a pretty good chance she was drooling over his too-sexy-for-real-life appearance. And she was sure that in hindsight this situation was going to horrify her but right then, she couldn’t muster up an ounce of shame over it.

  Nope. Not one little bit.

  *

  Adam had been waiting for hours for Jane to come in this morning because he had something important he needed to talk to her about. It involved how he’d basically broken into her house yesterday morning because she’d left her front door unlocked.

  But, instead of addressing that, he heard himself asking, “How’s your foot?”

  He tried to do anything he could to distract himself from the fact that he’d never been more tempted to kiss a woman in his life than he was as he stared down at Jane now.

  “My what?” she asked, sounding like she was a million miles away. Her eyes were clouded over with an emotion he was very familiar with. Lust. Pure lust.

  He couldn’t help but grin, something he did a lot whenever he was around Jane. “Your foot. The bee sting.”

  “Oh, that.” She blinked as if his words had been a rubber band snapping her out of her dazed state. “It’s fine. It was a little tender yesterday, but now, it’s not.”

  Move away from the girl.

  Adam’s mind had the right idea. His body, however, did not, and he remained in place. Nothing good could have possibly come from remaining mere inches away from the most tempting pair of lips he’d ever seen. He was just a man. And honestly, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could continue to fight against the overwhelming temptation that was Jane Marshall.