I dropped my forehead to his shoulder with a groan.What a sweet, irrational, irresistible man.“This is your idea of a big romantic gesture, isn’t it?Gifting me half of a bar that I don’t want.”Lifting my head, I let the papers flutter to the floor.
Sam’s hands, those warm, soft fingers that I’d become so familiar with, cupped my face.“Everything that I want, I want with you.”
“Dammit, Sam.You can’t just say shit like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes it hard to say no to you.”
“Then don’t say no.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I know.I think it’s what makes us perfect for each other.”
“Sam,” I groaned, but he only smiled wider.He knew he was getting to me, picking away at my resistance.“There’s so much to work through.Talk about.We shouldn’t rush into this.”
This, finally, stopped him.“I don’t think I ever imagined hearing those words from you.”
“Trust me, I know.But it’s your fault for teaching it to me.”
“You’re right.We should talk.We can talk all night if you want.I’m not going anywhere.But you’re not going to change my mind on this.I want this, and I want you.And if you feel the same way, I don’t know why we would let anything stop us.”
“You’re starting to sound like me.”
“We make a good team.”
I looked at the paperwork again.Noticed the name.“Your Bar?”
He shrugged.“I know it’s a bit on the nose, but ...I like it.Like a mission statement.I want people to know that this is for them, a place of community, of enjoyment.It’s not going to be like ‘nothing they’ve ever seen before’, but it’ll be a comfort, a home, a common ground where all are welcome.”
“You’re such a sap,” I said fondly.“But it’s a good name.”
“The second choice was ‘complete fool’, but I thought that might sound too self-referential.”
I barked out a surprised laugh.“No, for that to be true, you’d have to call it stubborn bastard.”
“I deserve that.”
“Yes, you do.”
My eyes skimmed over the words.I was in awe of what I was holding in my hands.At how monumental this gesture was.Just the thought of it, of what Sam was saying with it, overwhelmed me.I didn’t need it.I didn’t need anything but him, but I was tempted.I just needed time.
Catching his eye, I passed the papers back to him, pressing through when I saw the disappointment show on his face.“I’m not saying no, but I need to think about it.”
He swallowed, nodded slowly.“Okay.Anything you need.”
Once he’d taken back the contract, I stepped closer, tentatively reaching up to caress his cheek.“As for us, there’s no question for me.I’m all in if you are.”
“Without question,” he said, turning his head to kiss the palm of my hand.“I love you.”
I pulled at the collar of his shirt, tugging him closer, speaking against his lips.“You love me.”
Our smiles met, making hard work of our kisses, but neither of us caring.“More than you know.”
“Oh, I’d say I’ve got a pretty good idea.But how about you show me.”I hauled him towards me, walking us backward to my bedroom.“And don’t spare a single detail.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
