Chapter 18: Itemized

Jo's POV

The roll-up door was open a foot at the bottom, with a line of yellow light under it.

I ducked under and found him at the workbench with a broom, sweeping up screws that were still on the floor from last Monday.

He stopped when he saw me.

I had his page in my fist, folded small and soft from reading.

"You wrote that you almost told me at the lake," I said. "At two in the morning, with my hand on your chest."

"I did."

"You wrote that you stood on the dock for an hour and decided to let me sleep."

"Yes."

"You decided that for me."

"I know."

"You make it sound like a kindness." My voice was shaking.

"It wasn't a kindness. You wanted one more night, and you took it."

"Jo."

"Now you give away a quarter of a million dollars so I'll feel bad for yelling at you."

"That's not why I did it."

"Then why?"

"Because I couldn't stand being the man who profited."

He set the broom against the wall.

"Hit me if you want. Go ahead. I'd rather you did."

I crossed the floor and put both hands flat on his chest and shoved.

He took a step back and hit the door to the stairs.

"I'm so angry at you," I said.

"Good."

"Stop saying good."

"Okay."

"I hate that I read it twice. I hate that I came here."

"Jo."

I grabbed his face and kissed him.

It wasn't gentle.

I bit his lip and he groaned into my mouth.

His hands came down on my hips and dragged me against him.

He was already hard. I felt it against my stomach through his jeans.

"You want me?" I said against his jaw. "Say it."

"For six days I've wanted you every second. Fuck, Jo."

I yanked his belt open.

He pulled my shirt over my head and my bra off after it, and his mouth closed on my breast, hot and rough.

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