Page 21 of Startup Fire

Wayne couldn't agree more. His hands found the hem of her tank top and pulled it over her head. She was already working on his shirt, fingers fumbling with buttons until she gave up and just yanked it open. Buttons scattered across the barn floor.

“I'll fix it later,” she murmured against his mouth.

“Don't care.”

Jess laughed, the sound breathless and delighted, and Wayne felt something in his chest crack wide open. This woman—fierce and funny and completely unafraid of him—was choosing him.

He kissed her again, slower this time, trying to pour everything he couldn't say into the contact. Thank you. I'm sorry. Please don't leave.

Her hands were on his belt again, more successful this time. Wayne's jeans hit the floor, followed quickly by her own. They came together with renewed urgency. Wayne's hands mapped every curve, every hollow. Jess's fingers dug into his shoulders, then his back, pulling him closer.

When he finally pushed inside her, they both froze—caught in that perfect moment of connection.

Jess's eyes were dark and wide, her lips parted on a gasp.

“Okay?” Wayne managed, though holding still was killing him.

“Better than okay.” She rolled her hips experimentally, and they both groaned. “Move. Please move.”

Wayne didn't need to be told twice.

They found their rhythm quickly—urgent and primal and perfect. The workbench was solid beneath them, the heat from the forge wrapping around them. Jess's nails raked down his back, and Wayne buried his face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her.

This was everything. She was everything.

“Wayne.” His name was a gasp, a plea. “I'm close.”

“Let go.” He changed his angle slightly, and Jess cried out. “I've got you.”

She came apart in his arms, her whole body tensing and then releasing. Wayne followed seconds later, burying himself deep as his own orgasm hit with overpowering force.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. Wayne stayed buried inside her, their foreheads pressed together, both breathing hard. His hands were still on her hips, hers still clutching his shoulders, neither willing to move and break the spell.

She cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs stroking his cheekbones. The gesture was so tender it made his chest ache. “You okay?”

The question caught him off guard. Most people asked if sex was good, if they'd enjoyed it. Jess was asking if he was okay—if his heart was okay, if he was surviving this vulnerability.

“I don't know,” he admitted. “This feels like a lot.”

“Good lot or bad lot?”

“Terrifying lot.” But he was smiling when he said it, and so was she. “In a good way.” He kissed her forehead. “I'm sorry. For yesterday. For pulling away."

“You were scared.” Jess's hand found his, their fingers interlacing. “I get it. But Wayne? I'm not going anywhere just because this is complicated.”

Something loosened in his chest. “We should probably talk about this.”

“Or we could just see what happens.” She smiled up at him. “Take it one day at a time. No pressure, no expectations. Just... this.”

It should have terrified him. But looking at Jess—relaxed and warm and completely unguarded—Wayne found he wasn't scared anymore.

Well. Maybe a little scared. But the wanting was stronger.

“Okay,” he said. “Let's see what happens.”

They cleaned up slowly, helping each other find scattered clothes, stealing kisses. The barn felt different now—charged with new possibility.

Jess gathered her things while Wayne banked the forge.

“I should get back to my grandparents,” Jess said finally, shouldering her bag. “They'll be expecting me for dinner.”

Wayne nodded, his chest tightening. This was the part where she left. Where the spell broke and reality set back in.

Then Jess paused at the door. “Unless... would you want me to stay? For dinner? We could order pizza.”

The relief that flooded through him was almost embarrassing. “Yeah. I'd like that.”

“Yeah?” Her smile was uncertain, hopeful. Like she'd been just as worried about how to navigate this as he was.

“Yeah.” Wayne crossed to her, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her slowly. “Stay.”

When he pulled back, Jess was grinning. “You're going to have to let me know what you like on your pizza though. I'm not sharing if you're one of those pineapple people.”

Wayne laughed, the tension finally breaking. “I'm not a monster.”

“Good. Because that would've been a deal breaker.”