“Yes.”
“And you shut it down.”
I met his eyes.“I didn’t shut him down.I defined the line.”
A pause.
“I noticed,” Creed acknowledged.
And somehow, that meant everything.
Creed crossed the space between us without haste.Every step was measured, like he’d decided something and wasn’t backing down from it.His hand reached out, slow, and deliberate, brushing a knuckle along my jaw.
“I see you,” he said.
His hand slid behind my neck, fingers splaying across my skin.I leaned into it.
When Creed kissed me, it wasn’t about heat.Not at first.It was about grounding.
His lips moved against mine with purpose, his thumb stroking once at the hinge of my jaw like he was memorizing the way I held still for him.Then the kiss deepened—slightly.Heat curling into intention.A promise that hadn’t yet been spoken out loud but was no longer hiding.
He pulled back just enough to press his forehead to mine.
“No more hiding,” he said, the words low, steady.
I nodded, breath warm between us.
“Then stay,” I whispered.
His fingers tightened, just slightly.A breath.A decision.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
* * *
IBARELY MADE IT THREEsteps toward my office before I heard it.
“Oh no,” Mavis said brightly.“Absolutely not.”
Dixie appeared at my other side, perfectly timed, coffee in hand, eyes alight with curiosity.“You don’t get to walk away from that meeting without commentary.”
“I do,” I said.“I’m the Editor-in-Chief.”
Mavis laughed.“And we’re your emotional board of directors.”
They followed me into my office without waiting for an invitation, Dixie perching on the edge of the chair opposite my desk, Mavis leaning against the bookshelf.
I closed the door.Slowly.
Mavis first.Always Mavis.
“Well,” she announced.“That was delicious.”
Dixie leaned back, arms crossed, eyes sharp.“That man wanted to climb you like a social ladder.”
I laughed despite myself.“Manny wanted control.”
“Same thing,” Mavis said.“Different day.”
