Walking away doesn’t guarantee anything. Neither does staying.
But I can’t.
I won’t take away the opportunity to discover myself.
“I will.” My hands slide over his, reluctant to let go.
I close my eyes, forcing a steady breath into my lungs.
I never want to forget the smell of him—sweet and cedar and pepper.
I lean in to steal it one last time.
“Hopefully every moment is as memorable as this stop.”
I laugh. “This was quite memorable.” The sound wobbles, betraying me.
“I agree.” His thumb traces my cheek, slow and reverent.
My resolve fractures.
“Stuck here because my car broke down.”
A knowing smile curves his lips—the kind of smile like a shared secret.
“That’s quite a way to start a trip.”
“Then some naked guy was in my room.”
His eyebrow arches. “Prick.”
“I agree. I let him have the room.”
“That was kind of you.”
I shrug, forcing lightness. “Yeah, I was a delight.”
He chuckles low and warm, and something in my chest eases. “I don’t doubt it for a second.”
“Then I had my suitcases switched.”
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes. And the guy was such an arrogant prick.”
“He sounds like it.”
“Tricked me into a baking class.”
“Asshole.”
“And then invited me up. Which he never does.”
Cash grows serious. “Maybe he couldn’t resist the feelings inside him when you were around.”
“He’d only met me twice.”
“I didn’t expect this.” His voice is honest and bare.
