Myles gives me a relieved smile, sliding his fingers into my hair and tilting my face up. When he finally takes my mouth with his, joy sings across my skin and through my bones, making my whole body vibrate. I feel like I’m going to burst with how much I love him.
“I’m never letting you go now,” I murmur.
“Good.” He kisses me again, and again. “Damn, I missed this mouth.”
And I hum in agreement, sinking into his kiss, feeling happier than I have in forever.
* * *
When we eventually head back intothe bar, Cory strides over, his brow pulled low. “Are you okay? That dude won’t bother you again. Jimmy and I took care of him.”
“Did you break a bone?” Myles asks, and Cory gives a harsh laugh.
“Nah. I just broke his nice watch and destroyed his suit.”
I smirk. Somehow, I think Shane will have found that more painful than a fist to the face.
“But seriously, Cat,” Cory says, scrutinizing me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m glad Myles stepped in, though—”
“Are you kidding?” Myles laughs incredulously beside me. “You smashed him, Cat.”
“Yeah, you should have seen him,” Cory agrees. “I don’t know what you did, but he could hardly stand when we got him outside.”
Myles nudges my arm. “You didn’t even need me. You know how to take care of yourself.”
I lift my head high. It’s true, I can take care of myself. In fact, I’ve always prided myself on that—to a fault. But now, I know I don’t want to do everything on my own. Because even though I can be strong alone, with Myles, I can be vulnerable. And that’s a whole different kind of strength.
“You’re right, I don’t need you,” I say, gazing up at him. “But I’m glad you were there. I always want you there.”
His arm comes around my waist, pulling me into his warmth, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Then I’ll always be there.”
Cory ponders the two of us for a second, standing as close as humanly possible, and a grin splits his face. He turns back to the bar, satisfied that I’m okay.
Myles releases me with a contented sigh. “Let me get my girl a drink.” He steps behind the bar and I pull myself up onto a stool. Then he slides a vodka soda across to me, leaning down on his elbows so we’re level. And we just stare at each other, grinning like idiots, the rest of the world slipping away.
That is, until a woman leans across the bar asking for a drink. Myles pours her a glass of Prosecco, and as he hands it over, she touches his arm with a flirtatious smile. My whole body goes rigid on the stool. I have to physically hold myself back from tearing her hair out.
“Thank you,” she purrs, stroking a hand over his tattoo.
He gives her a polite nod, then carefully lifts her hand off him, dropping it back onto the bar. “I wouldn’t do that. This one here”—he cocks his head in my direction—“is totally in love with me, and she’ll throat-punch you.”
The woman glances my way and I click my knuckles, definitely in the mood to throat-punch someone. She looks at me like I’m a maniac before scurrying away, and I turn to Myles with a giggle.
“You scared her off before she tipped you.”
He shrugs, grinning. “Too bad.”
“You know… I never actually told you I’m in love with you.”
He contemplates me for a beat, and I watch as his smile evaporates and his whole posture shifts. “Oh, yeah,” he says, issuing an embarrassed laugh. “You’re right. Sorry.” He picks up a dishcloth and wipes the bar, and when I see his cheeks color, I know I can’t wait any longer.
I stand and walk around the bar, grabbing the dishcloth and tossing it aside, taking both his hands in mine. “I am, though. I’m crazy in love with you, Myles.”
His grin appears again, tugging his mouth wide. “Really?”
I nod, grinning back. “Like, you have no idea how much. When I saw what you named the site, I thought you were giving me a sign, that you were telling me you still loved me.”
