Jackson stepped into the front hall, kicked off his shoes at her request, then followed her deeper into the apartment. His curious gaze ate up his surroundings, taking in the cozy space. The living room offered mismatched furniture, bright blue curtains that led out to a small balcony, and a shit-ton of green plants and colorful flowerpots sitting on various shelves and ledges in the room.
He smiled when he noticed the framed photo of Mia and Danny on the television unit. In the kitchen he discovered even more pictures tacked on the fridge, including a series of photo booth shots that showed brother and sister making goofy faces at the camera.
As he looked around, he noted that the apartment definitely showed signs that a teenager lived there—piles of Xbox games, a pair of scuffed-up sneakers, a stack of textbooks on the coffee table.
“Sorry I didn’t get a chance to tidy up,” Mia said with a blush. “I literally got home ten minutes ago and decided a shower was more important. I was covered head-to-toe in dirt.”
He turned to her with a grin. “I already told you, I like you dirty.”
She rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh. Anyway, what do you want to do first? Order a pizza or make out?”
Jackson laughed. “Mia, just for future purposes, you should know that the answer to that question will never be ‘order pizza’.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Now get over here and give me a kiss. I haven’t seen you in four agonizing days and I’m gonna die if I don’t kiss you right frickin’ now.”
“Jeez, you’re so melodramatic.” Even as she threw the mocking words at him, she was leaning on her tiptoes so she could brush her mouth over his.
The brief peck was nowhere near enough to sate him. Groaning softly, he cupped her face with his hands and stole another kiss, this one deep and thorough with a helluva lot of tongue.
Mia was breathing hard when they broke apart. “How do you always manage to turn my brain into mush?”
“It’s a gift.” He slanted his head “What time does your brother get home?”
“Usually around seven.”
Jackson’s gaze drifted to the clock hanging over the kitchen doorway. It read five twenty-three. Dang, they didn’t have much time.
“Wanna fool around until then?” He flashed her the little-boy grin he’d perfected over the years.
And it worked, just as intended.
“Bedroom,” Mia announced. “Now.”
They practically sprinted to the corridor, laughing like a pair of teenagers as they dashed to Mia’s bedroom. Jackson couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so excited to spend time with a woman.
Apparently Mia shared his thoughts because she tossed him a wry look over her shoulder. “Jeez, I turn into a horny teenager whenever I’m around you.”
When they entered her room, he took a second to glance around. Bed, dresser, rug—the bedroom was empty save for those items, which didn’t surprise him because Mia was the least materialistic woman he’d ever met. She wouldn’t care for frilly curtains or designer furniture. The room was as no-nonsense as she was, and he appreciated that.
His gaze lingered on the perfectly made bed before shifting back to Mia. As cute as she looked in her black yoga pants and thin yellow tank, the garments didn’t mesh with what he had planned for her.
“Lose the clothes,” he told her. “Now.”
“Aren’t we bossy.”
“Yup. But we both know you like it, so don’t give me that indignant look, sugar. I want you naked and you wanna be naked, so let’s not waste time.”
The fact that she whipped off her shirt without a single complaint told him he’d been right about her. She liked letting him call the shots. It excited her. He could see it in her eyes, which burned with anticipation. And her cheeks, which were flushed with arousal.
She was out of her clothes in a heartbeat, standing before him in nothing but a bright red bra and skimpy black panties.
“What part of naked don’t you understand, Mia?”
“Are you going to take your clothes off too?”
“Maybe.”
“At least take off your shirt.”
He just smirked.
She crossed her arms in defiance. “I’m not taking anything else off until you lose the shirt.”
He supposed he could’ve argued, but he decided to throw her a bone. Very methodically, he began unbuttoning his plaid shirt.
Mia’s eyes followed the movement of his fingers, those gorgeous green depths flickering with appreciation when he finally peeled open the garment to reveal his bare chest. Her visible approval brought a rush of pure male satisfaction.
“Like what you see, darlin’?”
“Uh, duh. Dude, you’re shredded like lettuce.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Lord, he liked her.
Mia took a step closer, her fingers toying with the thin straps of her bra. Jackson’s mouth went drier than a desert and his pulse sped up as he waited for her to make a move.
Keeping her gaze locked with his, she reached behind her, undid the bra and let it fall to the floor.
Jackson licked his dry lips. “Now the panties.”
Her fingers hooked in her waistband and the flimsy underwear joined her discarded bra on the hardwood.
“Lie down on the bed,” he said in a low voice.