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Suddenly, the shadows of his past were gone, and all he was aware of was the woman in his arms. Piper. Only Piper.
He slipped his hands under her shirt, spanning his palms across the bare skin of her lower back. They both sucked in their breath at the same time, and they laughed. "Wow," she said. "That got my attention."
"You have a great back." He bent his head to graze his teeth over the side of her neck, still palming her lower back. He loved feeling her skin beneath his hand. There was something so intimate about skin-to-skin. An intimacy that made his awareness slow down and become fully immersed in the experience.
Piper let out a little groan. "Dear heavens, this is just ridiculous. How can one kiss feel this amazing?"
"Chicks dig guys in uniform," he said as he nibbled his way across her collarbone.
"You're not in uniform."
"I have one, though. Several, actually. That's all it takes. It's a vibe." He kissed her again, deeper, more personal, asking, taking, wanting more. Needing more.
When she sighed and leaned into him, gripping his biceps, he knew he was lost. He wanted it all with her. "I want you naked and wrapped around me," he whispered.
"Oh, God. That's a visual." She pulled back, staring at him with wide eyes. "You're so terrible. We're platonic. Jellyfish friends."
"There's no jellyfish anywhere in sight, and you know it."
"Don't destroy my illusions. That's just rude." She was breathing heavily from their kiss, and he could see the desire etched on her face. "Damn you, Declan. You're literally pure temptation. That's so rude to be that compelling on so many levels."
He grinned. "Back at ya, sweetheart."
"Really?" She brightened. "You're nearly desperate to rip my clothes off and lose yourself in all the glorious curves of my body?"
"Yeah. That."
"Well, level playing fields are always good."
The tension was coiling tighter and tighter between them. Desire was strung between them like a spring, dragging them closer and closer. All it would take was one of them to break the impasse, and they'd be naked within seconds.
He couldn’t make that move.
The deal had been platonic. He wasn't going to be that guy who broke her trust.
She had to make the move.
Was she going to lean in? She might…she might…
A sharp bark sounded behind him, and before he could turn, Angel launched herself past him at Piper, taking a flying leap. Piper's eyes widened, but she managed to brace herself before seventy pounds of dog landed in her arms. She caught the dog, laughing as Angel started showering her face with kisses. "Oh, baby, your timing is perfect."
"Is it?" But he was grinning, too. "Angel's afraid of everyone except me and my family. But I've never seen her leap into anyone's arms except mine."
Piper backed up and sat on the couch. "I'm special like that." She laughed and hugged the dog. "We became friends when I was at your place showering. We have a bond."
"I can see that." He wasn't sure if he was relieved or frustrated by the interruption, but he knew damn well the joy it gave him to see his dog happy. It gave him an idea, a solution to the problem that had been gnawing at him. "Hey, when I go back to work, I'm going to have some long days. Any chance I could pay you to take care of her while I'm at work?"
Piper raised her brows. "I have long days too."
"Yeah, but maybe not on the same days I do." He nodded atthe dog. "She's had a rough time. I'd rather her be with someone she trusts."
Piper looked at the dog. "Do you want to hang with me while your papa is off shooting bad guys?"
Angel wagged and yelped.
"Great. We're in."
"Great." The worry that had been gripping him eased off. "I should go."
