Flustered, I yanked my eyes upward only to find his right there waiting for me, flashing silver and going dark and stormy.
“Can I see you tonight?” he asked.
His question startled me. Not that I could’ve guessed what I expected him to say, but definitely not that. I was tingling all over and felt as if little sparks were bouncing around inside me. I tried to take a steadying breath, but it wasn’t much help. Breathing when Walker was anywhere in my vicinity didn’t exactly work for me. I settled for a few sips of air and ignored the heat rising on my face.
“Sure.” My reply startled me more than Walker’s question because my thoughts hadn’t formed. The word of assent just slipped out.
His slow, naughty smile made me bite my lip as I struggled to get a hold of my runaway pulse.
“Come ’ere,” he murmured, his voice husky.
Because apparently I did whatever Walker said, I didn’t even think before I crossed the room. When I was standing in front of him, he released his thumb from his belt loop and put two fingers in one of mine, tugging me close.
“Seems I can’t get enough of you, Jade,” he murmured as I felt the heat of his arousal pressing in the cradle of my hips.
The ache at the apex of my thighs throbbed. When I looked into Walker’s eyes, the intensity there stole my breath as my heart nearly drummed its way out of my chest. I couldn’t even speak, much less absorb the implications of Walker saying something like that. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Not to me. Not with us.
When I took a shuddery breath, I felt my achingly hard nipples press against his chest. Walker lifted his hand and laced his fingers in my hair. His hand slid down to cup my cheek just before his thumb traced over my lips. His touch was like fire.
And then, he was dipping his head, his voice low. “Just one kiss.”
His hand curled around the nape of my neck as he fit his mouth over mine. If I’d learned only one thing since I’d stumbled into this madness with Walker, it was that he could kiss like no other. He instantly commanded my mouth, his tongue sweeping in and laying claim.
I wasn’t used to being overcome. There was no other way to describe it. I was adrift on the desire crashing through me as he devoured my mouth. At the same time, I savored the way he pulled back and gently dropped hot kisses at each corner of my mouth before diving back in.
The sharp bark of one of the dogs in the kennel barely punctured the haze in my mind. When Walker pulled back again, catching my bottom lip in his teeth with a sensuous tug, I realized I was plastered against him. His knee had slipped between my thighs, and I was rocking my hips over it, piercing bursts of pleasure emanating from my core.
“I think they’re in here,” I heard a voice saying.
I started to scramble away, but Walker held me fast. “Tonight?”
“I’m supposed to get drinks with Valentina and Shay,” I gasped when his knee pressed against my clit.
“Oh, that’s right,” he murmured.
“Walker,” I pleaded in a whisper when I heard footsteps approaching the door.
He released me, and it was only then that I remembered he was actually leaning against the door.
“Call me after that.” He pushed away from the door, right when the doorknob turned.
I hadn’t taken Walker for a tease, but I was quickly learning I’d underestimated just about everything about Walker.
“Hey, how’s our little guy?” Jackson asked as he stepped in the room. “Forgot I needed to give him a dose of antibiotics.”
I could’ve sworn there was a hint of laughter in his eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Walker
“What the hell kind of fire are you playing with?” Jackson asked before taking a pull from his beer.
I twirled a bottle of beer between my fingers on the table. “What the hell are you talking about?” I countered.
Although I knew perfectly well what he was talking about. I was being stupid and reckless. I knew it, and I still couldn’t stop it.
Jackson set his beer down and leaned back in his chair, hooking his elbow over the back of it. “Don’t bullshit me, man. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Jade, but it’s no fake thing. If you’re not careful, Lucas is going to notice too.”
I leaned my head back, letting out a sigh before leveling my gaze with his. “Right. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I guess I should talk to him.”
“If you value your life, I would suggest you talk to Jade before you talk to her brother,” Jackson said flatly. “Are you two a thing?”
“I don’t know what we are, but it’s not fake. I’m in over my head,” I admitted, almost relieved to say it aloud.
Jackson chuckled. “Well, damn. I didn’t expect Jade to ever fall for anyone, and I sure as hell didn’t expect it to be you.”
I masked the shock that sideswiped me at Jackson’s teasing comment by taking a long swallow of my beer. Setting it down, I shrugged, hoping my tone sounded casual. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m not blind. Nor is anyone else for that matter. I’m guessing Lucas either hasn’t paid attention, or has decided not to say anything just yet. Don’t underestimate him. He’s a lot like you.”
“Huh?” I asked brilliantly.
Jackson flashed a quick grin. “Kinda quiet, reserved. Makes it seem like he might not be a reactive kind of guy. When it comes to his family, he is.”
I shook my head slowly, pressing my tongue inside my cheek. “Point taken. I’m not idiot enough to talk to him without letting Jade know first.”
“Can’t believe you’re admitting there is something there.”
I chuckled. “Only reason I’m admitting it is because I trust you to keep your fucking mouth shut.”
“You can count on that. Well, except for Shay. I basically tell her everything. But she’ll stay quiet. Plus, she already picked up on it, so it won’t be coming from me,” Jackson offered with a knowing grin.
“Oh hell,” I muttered before draining my beer.
At that moment, Dawson came striding across the bar, hooking his hand on the back of a chair nearby and spinning it around as he sat down at our table. “Hey, y’all. Sorry I’m late. Evie made me drive.”
“I take it that means you’re not drinking,” I teased as I watched Evie walking in with Shay, Dani, Valentina, and Jade.
“I’ll pass. I could have one beer, but I’m just here to give y’all moral support.”
“Are the other guys showing up?” I asked.
“What? You think I know everyone’s schedule?” Dawson countered.
Jackson leveled his gaze on Dawson. “Yes. You always know everything, dude.”
Dawson gave an easy shrug and a grin. “Boone and Grace are out, because I guess she wanted to watch a movie at home and their cat’s not feeling well. Wade says he’ll be on his way shortly. Dani said he went home to shower first. Lucas is home with his daughter since Valentina’s out with the girls,” Dawson explained, effectively demonstrating Jackson’s point.
I didn’t even want to contemplate the sense of relief that passed through me. I was being an idiot about Jade as it was, but Lucas’s presence certainly complicated matters. I knew I needed to chat with him sooner rather than later.