The same risk in a different form.
I can’t stop smiling. "Okay," I say. "But my condo has rules too."
His mouth curves a little more dramatically this time. A smirk he can’t hide. "Oh? Should I be concerned?"
"First rule," I say, tracing my finger down his sternum, "no one wears underwear to bed."
"Devastating. Whatever will I do?"
I bite back a chuckle.
"Second rule. Absolutely no showering alone."
He huffs out a laugh. "I like your rules."
"You don’t get automatic privileges."
He shifts suddenly, rolling us so I’m on my back and he’s hovering above me before I can process the movement.
I squeal softly as he braces himself over me, forearms planted beside my shoulders, heat radiating from him.
"Well then," he murmurs, lowering his mouth close to mine, "how do I earn an invitation?"
His tone is playful, but his eyes aren’t. They’re steady, waiting for my answer.
"You have to kiss me so good that it lasts for the rest of the season."
He nods. "I can do that," and then he lowers himself to me and kisses me, long and steady.
Outside, the snow keeps falling.
Inside, he wraps himself around me as if he’s not planning on letting go anytime soon.
And for the first time since I met him…
I’m finally getting the genuine version.
Chapter Twenty-Five
NATALIA
The café smells like a cinnamon-sugar bomb went off in a croissant, and I’m instantly hungry now as I find a place to sit.
Setting up my laptop, I can’t miss the reflection in the screen of me smiling like an idiot, because of him.
I keep replaying last night. The way he saidI want to try. With you.The way it didn’t feel impulsive or reckless. It felt… chosen.
And then this morning.
He left before sunrise. I barely remember stirring until I felt him press a slow kiss to my forehead.
"Don’t try to save the world while I’m gone," he says, voice groggy with sleep.
"No promises," I whisper back.
I watch a couple walk past the window, snow crunching beneath their boots, and I catch myself wondering what offseason in Scottsdale looks like with Luka Popovich.
Him in the Arizona heat.
