Page 281

“I love you too, Firecracker.”

“I know.”

His eyebrows rise. Despite everything, I smile.

“You've sent me twenty-nine roses, shifter romances, food, and approximately twelve thousand text messages.”

“It was not twelve thousand.”

“Felt like it.”

“I showed remarkable restraint.”

“Debatable.”

His thumb brushes my cheek. Then his gaze drops to my mouth.

He doesn't kiss me. I know he wants to. I want him to.

But he waits.

Choice.

He's giving me exactly what he promised. So I make it.

I lean forward and kiss him.

Softly.

Just my lips against his.

His hand trembles against my cheek. And somehow that tiny movement means more to me than every expensive thing Mitchell Knight has ever put at my feet.

You might catch my cold,” I warn him before he can deepen the kiss.

“Worth it.”

Then his mouth is back on mine.

And God.

I missed this.

I missed him.

Mitchell's hands settle on my waist, and one second I'm curled beside him and the next he's pulling me across his lap until I'm straddling him.

“Mitchell—”

“I know.”

His forehead presses against mine.

“You say stop, I stop.”

My heart squeezes.

Choice.