“And until you’re ready…” His hand runs over my neck, soft, caring. “I’m more than good right here.”
My chest tightens. “I’m sorry I have all this baggage,” I whisper.
“Don’t.” His voice is immediate. Firm.
“Don’t apologize for that. Ever.”
His forehead rests against mine again.
“You fought,” he murmurs. “And you’re still here.”
My throat tightens.
“And I’m not going anywhere.”
Something settles deep inside me.
When he kisses me again, it’s soft… and I feel it all the way through me.
The bar is slow this morning.
Sunlight pours through the front windows in long golden streaks, catching on dust motes and the polished wood of the tables. It feels quieter than usual, like the whole town decided to take advantage of the weather instead of sitting inside with coffee and eggs.
I don’t mind.
It gives me space to breathe.
I move between tables, dropping off plates, refilling coffee, wiping down surfaces that don’t really need it just to keep my hands busy. But even like this… I feel it.
That awareness.
It’s what makes me look up.
Dex is behind the bar, leaning back against the counter, arms crossed loosely over his chest. That smirk is already in place, like he’s been watching me longer than I realized.
His eyes move over me slowly, not even trying to hide it.
I raise a brow.
His smile deepens.
Heat curls low in my stomach as I turn away, grabbing a cloth and heading behind the bar, pretending I’m focused on anything but him.
I barely make it around the counter before his hand catches my waist. I don’t even have time to react before he pulls me into him.
“Dex…”
But the protest dies the second his mouth finds mine.
It’s quick, but it still steals my breath just the same. His hand slides into my hair, tilting my head just enough to deepen it for a second before he pulls back, his lips brushing mine as he murmurs, “I needed some sugar.”
My fingers curl into his shirt without thinking, my eyes lifting to his, and for a second I forget where we are.
This man…
“Get your hands off her!”
The words hit like a shot, and I jump back, my heart lurching into my throat as I turn toward the door and find Mason standing there, shoulders squared, jaw tight, his eyes locked on Dex.
