Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(108)

No reason to deny it. “Sex would be great.”

Her lips softened, and her blue eyes went dark. “Jesse—”

“But if that’s all I wanted,” he told her gently, “I could get that without you.”

The sensual heat cleared away, replaced with an overdose of attitude. “Then maybe you should—”

Crowding into her personal space, Jesse kissed her. Soft, warm and so incredibly hot. Even though he kept it light, barely there, it affected him.

Because this was Tonya. Because he hadn’t yet had her.

Because he liked and admired her and, hell yes, he wanted her. Bad.

From the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, he’d been physically attracted. With every minute after that he’d grown to like her more.

He’d already realized that what they had between them was special. Now he just needed her to understand. But she’d had so much dumped on her that he had to put the revving engines on idle, go slower, ease her into things.

And even thinking that made him tense with lust.

“Fact is, I want you, Tonya, and that’s not the same thing as just wanting to get laid.”

Nervous fingers touched her mouth. It took her a second before she whispered, “All the reasons I couldn’t before—”

“Are more valid than ever, I know.” He smoothed back her silky-soft hair. “You were trying to help your sister?”

“Yes.” She dropped her hand, and her breath released in weariness. “And protect Kevin.”

In the end, Kevin had gotten badly hurt anyway. He’d been neglected by the only parent he knew—and now that parent was gone. But Tonya wasn’t, and she’d make a better life for him.

Jesse badly wanted to help her with that. “I’m glad he has you.”

She took his right hand in both of hers. “Then surely you understand that I can’t...can’t push him aside to get involved with you right now.”

A dozen replies came to mind, ways to convince her, to win her over.

He settled on being blunt. “I just got here. Don’t piss me off, okay?”

Frowning, she dropped her gaze. “I didn’t—”

“Number one, we’re already involved. Denying it won’t make it go away because I’m not budging.” He smoothed her hair again. “And besides, I’m not the only one feeling it.”

Lashes lifting, she stared into his eyes.

No reply was admission enough for him.

“Number two.” He cupped his hand around her nape and resisted the urge to kiss her instead of talking. Given the subject wasn’t an easy one, kissing would be a lot easier.

But ultimately, that wouldn’t get him anywhere.

“Do you honestly think I’d expect you to do anything that’d bring more grief on that kid?”

She searched his face. “No.”

He gave in and kissed her forehead. “Good. So stop shoving me away. Let me help.”

“You are so stubborn.”

“Look who’s talking.”

She covered her face, but still he heard the strained laugh.

“Number three,” he whispered, pleased that he’d lightened her mood just a little, “you don’t have to choose. Give me a chance to show you that I can help without getting in the way.”

Still hiding behind her hands, she laughed again. “You distract me.”

Far as he was concerned, she could use some distractions. Encircling her narrow wrists, he pulled down her hands and gave her another quick kiss, this one on her smiling mouth, then, securing her hand in his, led the way through her house.

As a Realtor, Tonya had found the perfect property. She lived in one side of the old house that had been turned into a duplex and rented the other half to Merrily—the woman now very involved with his best friend, Brick.

Brick, aptly named given his hard head, had introduced him to Tonya without realizing just how complicated things would become. He had Jesse’s gratitude all the same.

He could handle complications; it was Tonya cutting him out that he couldn’t handle.

With Merrily next door, so too was Brick, which gave Jesse plenty of excuses to be nearby...if Tonya didn’t see reason. But hopefully his plan would work out for all involved and Tonya would invite him to stick close.

The house had a lot of character that, as a carpenter, he especially admired. But the fact that it was divided into two living spaces meant limited room to grow and add a kid. He knew she had a second bedroom, but she’d mostly used it for her office.

Now that she’d cleared everything out so Kevin would have a bedroom, where had she relocated her work space?

Thinking ahead, it was possible Merrily would be moving out once she and Brick married, something they were currently planning. At that point, it would be easy for him to turn the house back into a single dwelling—if that’s what Tonya wanted.

But maybe she needed the income from the rental, in which case he could probably convert the attic into a cozy office for her. He’d have to ask Brick about their plans. If they did move, they’d need a place with a yard for Merrily’s two dogs and three cats.

It was from Merrily and her menagerie that Jesse had gotten his inspiration for how to help. Well, from her and from fate.

When they entered the kitchen they found Kevin slouched in his seat, his knees pointing outward, big feet hooked around the chair legs, his head propped on a fist. Only one bite had been taken from his sandwich.