Page 8 of Smoke and Glitter

I don't mention it.

When we finally break apart, neither of us goes far. I leave my hands against his chest and rest my forehead against his jaw while we stand there trying to breathe normally again. His heart is still hammering beneath my palm, and he knows I can feel it, but he leaves my hand exactly where it is.

I've been inside this room maybe ninety seconds, and I already know I'm not walking back out without asking. I could let the kiss be enough, go home, come back tonight and keep doing what we've been doing.

I lift my head. "Sam."

"Yeah?"

I keep my hands against his chest. "What are we doing?"

His body stills beneath my hands.

I've watched Sam deal with people since I got here. Someone brings him a problem, and somehow they leave his bar carrying less of it. Usually I love that about him.

Right now, I want the truth instead.

He doesn't rush to fill the silence.

"I think about you more than I mean to."

"That's not really an answer."

"No. It isn't."

"Sam."

His thumb moves once along my jaw. "I haven't done this in a long time. Haven't wanted to."

"And now?"

His eyes stay on mine. "Now you're here."

I wait, and his jaw works once before he exhales.

"The last time I let somebody all the way into my life, I lost just about everything I'd built."

I know enough to understand what he means. Summer told me months ago, not details that belonged to Sam, only enough for me to know there had been a wife, a business partner and a betrayal that took both at once. I've never mentioned it to him because it wasn't mine to mention.

Sam looks away briefly, then back at me.

"I want this, Autumn." His hand settles against the back of my neck. "I just don't know what it looks like yet."

I let out the breath I've been holding.

It's not the answer I came here hoping for, but it isn't an escape hatch either. He could have given me something vague enough to keep this going without ever having to stand behind it.

He doesn't.

"Okay."

His eyes search my face. "Okay?"

"Don't make me say it twice."

The corner of his mouth finally moves. "Wouldn't dream of it."

I step away before I change my mind. My coat has slipped down one shoulder, and when I try to pull it back into place, my fingers aren't quite cooperating. Sam watches me struggle with it without helping, which should irritate me more than it does.