“Not tonight,” I tossed over my shoulder as I headed in the direction of the stairs, taking them two at a time. For the past week, Deborah had been sharing a room with Kimmy. I’d kept my composure, made sure not to pressure her to share my room with me or vice versa, because I knew she wasn’t ready for it, but all of that was over and done with. Kimmy would need to find another place to sleep that night because I had business to take care of.

“What do you want?” Deborah demanded as soon as I barged in the room, slamming and locking the door behind me. Her eyes narrowed to slits.

“What the hell are you pissed at me for?” I questioned just as angrily.

“For embarrassing the hell out of me like that!”

“I embarrassed you?” I pressed, moving closer and snatching the folded clothes she had in her hand, tossing them to the chair where her opened suitcase sat.

“Yes! You and Jackass!”

I almost grinned at the nickname she’d given Jack but I didn’t.

“And just so we’re clear, I’m not a damn stripper. I’m a cocktail waitress,” she stated as if it made any difference to me.

“You could tell me you tamed lions for a living and I’d believe you,” I responded, inching closer, wrapping my hands around her waist. It was a risky move. She was pissed. The tight set of her mouth and single wrinkle in her forehead told me that. However, she was also irresistible at that moment.

“I don’t like cats.”

At that I did respond with a chuckle.

“No cats, got it,” I murmured, nuzzling the side of her neck with my nose. “What else don’t you like?” I pressed my growing hard-on against her abdomen. A rush of energy shot through me when she responded by pressing her body against mine.

“Jackass. I don’t like him.” Her voice was airy, just above a whisper.

“Me either.” I pressed a kiss to her neck and then another. “What else?”

“Um … sp-sprained ankles. I-I don’t like those,” she stammered as I continued to press kisses to the side of her neck and cupped her cheeks.

I brushed my lips against hers. A small sigh escaped her lips.

“Why not?”

“B-because it hurts to stand for too long.”

I stepped back, remembering her injury. “That’s not a problem.”

Scooping her up in my arms, I swiftly carried her to the bottom bed of the bunk beds that were in the room. Wouldn’t have been my first choice but I had to make due with what was available.

“How’s your ankle?” I asked, staring down into her half-closed eyes, our lips barely touching as I hovered over her.

“Better.” She surprised me by lifting her head and capturing my lips.

My surprise didn’t last for too long, however, as I parted my lips, allowing myself to experience the feel of our mouths tasting one another. I reached down, moving my hand underneath the turtleneck shirt she wore, feeling the tender skin of her waist and abdomen.