Page 91 of Strictly Against Policy

“Fine,” concluded Jonathan, giving up far too easily. “You’re just Lina Lee.”

Typically, I’d arch a brow at him. There was something brewing underneath his agreeable facade. I continued eating and so did he. After finishing dinner and paying for our meal, we found ourselves standing in front of our cars. We had parked next to each other.

He pulled me against his chest. Both hands were on my face as he tugged my cheek against his lips. He kissed me, and I thought that was all . . . until his tongue slipped out and lapped over the fullest part of my cheek. His teeth suddenly scraped across my skin before he bit down in one sharp nip.

“Jonathan!” I yelled, pushing him away.

He threw his head back and laughed out loud. I glared at him as I drew my hand over my sensitive cheek. Teeth marks were now embedded in it.

“Soft and sweet. Exactly like how I like my desserts,” he crooned.

I scoffed, placing a hand on his chest. His eyes brightened and the smile he wore twisted into a mischievous grin. When I shoved him a few steps back toward the trunk of his car, his playfulness waxed as his eyes twinkled.

“You’re so fucking cute when you’re being mean to me,” he said.

“Oh, really?” I asked. “I thought you didn’t like that about me.”

He shrugged. “I like it when you yell at me and tell me what to do because I’m yours.”

“Because you’re mine?”

“Tell me what to do like I’m your pet, and I’ll gladly do it.” He chuckled, stepping closer to me and closing the distance between us.

Before he could get any closer, I placed an index finger on his chin. He stopped in his tracks. “Sir,” I said, and the shine in his eyes immediately darkened into an inky-black. “You’re going home.”

He laughed. “Fine, I’ll go home.” I pulled my hand away from him, but he stood firm next to me. “Aren’t you going to give me a good-night kiss before we part ways?”

Without saying a word, I angled my head upward toward him. His smirk stretched wider as he leaned down and kissed me. His greedy mouth licked and bit my lips eagerly before he hungrily swallowed me down.

We kissed for what felt like an eternity until I heard kids coming out of the restaurant in the distance. I pushed Jonathan away at once, and he let out a frustrated groan, so low it sounded almost like a growl.

“Jonathan, we need to head home,” I stated.

He kissed my temple, humming. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I pulled away. When I looked up at him, I discovered this soft, tender expression on his face—gentle eyes with a faint but happy smile. “What?”

He cupped my face with his hands. “When I move out, I want you to come over and stay.”

“Like, moving in?”

“If you like, but I’m not pressuring you. You’re Little Miss Independent and Perfection. And I don’t think I should have any right to interrupt the way your life is right now,” he chuckled softly. “What I mean is, you can come and stay however long you like. My place will be your home away from home.”

Warmth seared across my chest. “I’d love that,” I said.

Jonathan smiled wide. “Yeah?”

I smiled with him. “Yes.”

He leaned over and kissed the cheek he’d bitten earlier. It didn’t ache as much, but it still hurt under the light pressure of his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied as he kissed my other cheek. “Go home and make sure your mom’s fine.”

“She’s on a date. She’s fine,” he laughed. “I’ll see her when she’s sneaking in.”

“I’m glad you were able to talk to her this morning, that you can joke about how she’s dating again.”

“Me too.” Jonathan nodded. “And I’m glad I was able to tell her about you. I’d love to introduce you to her one day soon.”