He draws me in with his hands around my waist and presses his lips to mine. It’s a good thing no one is in here because the kiss turns heated quickly.
I’m always like this when I’ve gone through a spell without seeing him—desperate and needy for both his company and his body.
When he pulls away, he rests his forehead against mine.
“How was your flight?” I ask.
“Fine. How’s Carla?” He nuzzles into my neck and places a chaste kiss there that makes goose bumps break out on my arms.
“Still making strides every day.”
The relationship between him and my mom is still a little strained, but they’ve come a long way. They’re not close by anymeans, but he can be in her presence, and no one feels as though they’re walking on eggshells around them anymore.
Maybe they’ll develop a mother-son relationship in the future, or maybe they won’t, but either way, it’s okay. I think just knowing each other has healed a little something in each of them.
“Does that mean I get you home with me soon?” he says against the sensitive flesh under my ear.
I hum low in my throat. “Very soon, I think.”
He straightens and gives me a wide smile. “Good.”
“Are you going to explain what’s going on here? Why is this place empty?” I motion to the empty seats.
“Because I kicked everyone out.”
I lean back, and my forehead wrinkles. “I don’t understand.”
Bast chuckles. “Come with me back to our section.”
There’s no denying that I get a thrill in my belly when he refers to it as our section.
He takes my hand and leads me to the lounge area near the fireplace, which is going given the weather outside.
“Here, let me take your jacket.” He holds out his hands.
I get to work removing my jacket and beanie, then I pass them to Bast, who sets them on the back of one of the armchairs, and finger-comb my hair.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I set my hands on my hips and give him a playful smile.
“This is where we met.”
I giggle. “Yes, I know.”
“Because of that, it’s special to me, even if we did meet because I was an emotionally stunted asshole.”
We both laugh, and I shake my head. I’ve gotten over how things started between us, but sometimes I think Bast is still punishing himself.
“Do you remember what I said when you asked why I was in town?” He cocks his head and steps up to hold my hands.
“You said you were looking for a business to invest in.”
He nods. “That wasn’t true at the time, but it is now, so I bought the café.”
“What? Really?”
“Really. I want this place to stick around for a long, long time, so I bought it so that I can be the one to preserve it.”
That is so sweet. I squeeze his hands.
