Page 63 of One Reckless Night

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JARED

Even three labs away, I was still pulsing from Amelia. The boldness of what we’d just done. My skin felt too tight, and my blood raced with the memory of how she’d begged for me.

She tried to act like she didn’t want it. Like she could resist me. But fuck, the way she trembled and the way she sounded when she came apart gave her away. She wanted it as much as I did. It was only a matter of time before we both gave in again.

It was clear that whatever was between us was very real. It wasn’t a one-off. It wasn’t just getting out some tension. There was this strange connection between us. My scientific brain was already trying to come up with a reason. What was the draw? Why couldn’t I keep my hands off her? Even now, I could still taste her, and I wanted to go right back in there for seconds.

I smirked at my own reflection in the glass window as I passed an office. Even rumpled and looking like I’d been thoroughly spent, I felt like a fucking king.

I went back to my office feeling like I could actually focus now. My mind was clear. She was back and getting laid always helped. I sat down and pulled one of the files from the stack.

I couldn’t help picturing her when I closed my eyes. Amelia on that table, all mine. The thought came with a stab of need that was as shocking as the first time I’d had her. Whatever this was between us, it couldn’t be ignored any longer. Tonight, we’d figure things out.

After a long day, I was on my way out when I heard Amelia. My body responded immediately. I turned and spotted her. Damn. I was halfway to being erect just hearing her.

I watched as Amelia walked out of the building with Clair. She saw me and glanced over her shoulder at me. Goddamn, she was gorgeous—just thinking about how undone I’d left her had my adrenaline spiking again.

And how she’d left me.

I didn’t know if there was a word for it, other than maybe obsessed. I hadn’t seen it coming and I didn’t know how to stop. Fuck, I didn’t even want to. When it came down to it, this whole thing with her made sense in a way nothing else did, even though it was a tangled mess that had me spinning in circles.

“Jared!”

I stopped and turned to see Shawn strolling toward me.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Let’s get a drink,” he said.

My first thought was no. But I wasn’t expecting Amelia until later. I may as well do something to pass the time, or I was going to be sitting at home pacing like a caged tiger.

“Yeah, sure,” I said.

We walked out of the building together. Amelia and Clair were up ahead. They looked to be having a serious conversation. I wondered if Clair knew about us. I didn’t care if she did. Not really. We were all adults.

Amelia and Clair headed toward the residences while Shawn and I headed for the cantina. We sat down and ordered burritos and Coronas, then talked about nothing in particular. I didn’t see her, but I felt her. I looked up and there she was. Across the room, Amelia and Clair were seated at a table, deep in conversation.

She had to have seen me. I was sitting in the middle of the fucking bar. People were walking by our table saying hello. She knew I was there, and she hadn’t so much as glanced in my direction. It was driving me insane.

“You’ve been weird all week,” Shawn said.

“What?”

“You’re distracted,” he said. “I’ve never seen you distracted. You’re always laser focused. What’s wrong with you?”

I finished my beer, my eyes still on Amelia. “I’m fine. Just overworked. Need a vacation or something.”

I held up my empty bottle to signal for another.

Shawn snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, right. You’ve been grinding your teeth so hard I’m surprised you haven’t cracked a molar.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed you staring at Amelia for the last fifteen minutes.”

I shot him a glare, but he just raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s nothing. Just… work stuff.”