“Ballard?”

      He blinked as he heard his name on her lips, recovering quickly from his momentary speechlessness as he stared at her.

      “A good-night kiss,” he whispered, moving in closer.

      Her open palms immediately came to his chest, pushing slightly against him. He was certain it was to stop him. The problem was that it hadn’t reached her eyes. Instead, as Ballard looked at Janelle, he saw her lips parting slightly, her tongue snaking out to lick the bottom one then retreating inside quickly as she cleared her throat.

      “Yes,” he began, reaching a hand up to rub the back of his fingers along her cheekbone and down the line of her jaw. “You can agree because you want to. Or you can simply tell me no, and I’ll leave.”

      She hesitated, her hands still on his chest, making his desire burn hotter. After another second or so of indecision, her lips parted once more, and a small sound escaped.

      “Ye—” she began to say.

      And Ballard moved in, swooping his lips down over hers, taking the plumpness into his mouth before pressing his tongue inside.

      She replied hungrily, grabbing the lapels of his jacket tightly in her fingers, tilting her head slightly so that when he deepened the kiss she was more than ready.