Page 42 of Protecting Kelli
Flash gave her a look. “I thought we already talked about this. You’re perfect, Kelli. I mean it.”
“I know, but?—”
“No buts.”
“Okay,however, I don’t think I’m strong enough to lift that manhole cover.”
Flash grinned at how she’d avoided using the word but. “Don’t underestimate yourself. Even if you can’t, I’ll be under you, all you have to do is put your hands on it and lock your elbows. I’ll push upward, and hopefully that will be enough to move it. All I need is just enough of a lip to get my hands out, and I can get it moved.”
“Then what?” Kelli asked. “We drove pretty far into the jungle. We have no idea where we are, or who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.”
“I’ve had extensive jungle survival training,” Flash reassured her. “I can find us food, water, make a shelter, we can hang out in the rainforest until my team finds us.Being out there in the jungle is way better than being in here.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Okay, let’s do this,” Kelli said, sounding more confident.
Flash couldn’t keep himself away from her if his life depended on it. After they stood, he stepped into her personal space and pulled her against him. Her hands landed on his chest, and she blinked in surprise.
“Flash?”
“I’m going to kiss you,” he warned. “More than a brushing of our lips. Is that okay?”
“Um…I’m not sure my breath is all that great,” she admitted.
He grinned. “Mine isn’t either. But since we both smell like callaloo, I think we’re okay.”
She stared up at him.
Flash licked his lips as he stared back. “If you don’t want this, it’s alright. I just?—”
She didn’t let him finish his sentence. One of her hands moved up to tangle in his hair, and she pulled him down at the same time she went up on her tiptoes.
Flash took over from there. As soon as he knew he had her consent, there was no way he could hold back.
His lips covered hers, and he groaned as her tongue immediately found his. She wasn’t shy about taking what she wanted, and the feel of her against him was like…coming home.
Flash bent Kelli backward until he was holding her up as he devoured her. Their kiss went from a tentative exploration to a deep, carnal exchange of what was to come in the future.
He would have this woman. In all ways. Not justphysically. He wanted to know everything about her. Her hopes, fears, dreams. He’d make those hopes and dreams come true and slay all her demons.
He lifted his head, but didn’t bring her back up.
“Flash?” she whispered, licking her lips.
“When we get back to California, I want to see you again. I want to take you out. Bring you to my crappy apartment and make dinner for us both. We can watch all ten seasons ofAloneand be all judgmental about the decisions they make. I want to be your boyfriend, Kelli.Exclusiveboyfriend. I want to introduce you to my friends, pick you up from a girls’ night out, help you find your dream career, and watch you shine from the inside out. Please say yes. Give me a chance. I swear I won’t let you down.”
Kelli put her hand on his cheek and said, “I know you won’t.”
Flash’s arm was beginning to tire, so he stood them up straight, but he didn’t let go of her. He realized how hard he was pushing. He’d come onwaytoo strong.
He had a gut feeling that was going to be an ongoing problem when it came to this woman.
“And if we get out of here, yes, I’d like to see where things might go between us.”
That wasn’t the firmest yes, but Flash would take it.
“Whenwe get out of here. It’s a date then. Come on, let’s check out that manhole cover.”
He took her hand in his and walked over to where they’d been dumped inside this tomb of a bus. He jumped, and could just barely touch the ceiling.
