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Neither of us moved. His pale eyes held mine, and suddenly the quiet between us felt different from every silence we’d shared before. He stepped closer and his hand came gently to my cheek, giving me enough time to move away.

I didn’t. His mouth touched mine softly at first, almost cautiously, but the moment I kissed him back, something changed. His restraint loosened and his arm settled around my waist as I moved closer. He tipped my chin up with his finger as his lips moved against mine, gently sucking my bottom lip. Instinctively, my body pressed closer to his as my fingers slid up into his hair. I could hear the low groan in his throat when I pulled his hair gently. And then he kissed me harder, faster, his teeth nipping my lip until I let out a little whimper―an opportunity he immediately seized to slip his tongue into my mouth. I could barely breathe, could barely think straight, not when he was kissing me like this, carving strokes against my tongue with his. Warmth grew in my lower stomach, pulsing into a need between my legs that made my knees feel weak.

I’d never felt this way before. Never been kissed like this. I’d never wanted anyone so badly, so immediately. When we finally separated, I was breathing harder than I wanted him to notice. He looked at me for a long moment, his pupils dilated, a slight clench in his jaw like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself now that the kiss was over.

But I could see the desire in his eyes. It was clear as day, mirroring mine.

When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and thick. “Sofia.”

The warmth in my body grew hotter. I knew what he was asking without him saying it. I should have said goodnight. Instead, I unlocked my door.

“Do you mind coming in?”

His eyes searched mine. “Are you sure?”

I looked at him, at the man who’d somehow become far too important to me in far too little time.

“Yes.” I pushed the door open and stepped inside, and Ronnie followed.

As he crossed the threshold, I felt something change inside me. Whatever this was, it was no longer just dinner, coffee, or harmless attraction. I’d just let Ronnie into my home. Oh God…I didn’t even know his last name.

CHAPTER SIX

Ronan

The minute I walked into Sofia’s apartment, I noticed the difference between her place and mine. Nothing in the room looked perfect, like it was set up for guests. It was simple, cozy, and totally hers.

There were cookbooks over one end of a shelf, with notes and recipes stuck between them. The pages were dog-eared. By the window there was a table with recording equipment, wires, and other gadgets. There were piles of books on the table, and some were neatly arranged on the floor.

“You’re doing it again,” Sofia said. “You’re looking at everything.”

“I’ve never been to your home before,” I explained. “So I have to take it in.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to check everything out like you’re buying the place,” she teased.

“I wouldn’t buy it,” I replied. “The kitchen is too small.”

She laughed. I loved the sound of it; it was like music to my ears. I wanted to make her laugh again.

She walked into the room, took off her shoes, and turned to face me. She seemed more relaxed and playful. At the café she was always confident and in charge, but here she was softer, more vulnerable.

“You can sit down,” she said, her voice warm and friendly. “Unless you want to keep looking around.”

I took off my coat and put it on the armchair. “I was looking at you.”

She stopped moving, and a small smile played on her lips.

“That might be a problem,” she said slowly. Her cheeks glowed faintly red. I’d thought she was beautiful before, but now she was even more stunning. When her dark eyes met mine, I felt like I could see right into her soul.

She told me about a dish she was working on at the café and how she wasn’t happy with one part of it. I became aware of how close we were sitting.

I’d thought about kissing her since we got out of the elevator, but I didn’t want to push her or rush her into something she wasn’t fully ready for. Just because she let me inside her home didn’t immediately give me permission to fuck her. Besides, there was something in her eyes that made me feel like I should wait.

Sofia noticed. “What are you thinking about?”

I looked straight at her. “Take a guess.”

Her breathing picked up slightly. She licked her lips as she moved a bit closer to me and put her hand on mine. “I invited you in because I want you here, you know.”