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He tosses the keys to his other hand, that damn grin on his face, before he laces his fingers with mine and leads me around to the passenger side of the Jeep, opening the door.

Oh, this is so bizarre.

I’ve literally never sat on this side of my vehicle.

But I don’t argue further with him.

As soon as I’m settled in my seat, he closes the door and walks around the front of the Jeep before slipping behind the wheel. I glance up at the apartment door one last time as he backs out of the parking spot and I let out a heavy breath, a smile teasing my lips.

I’m done.

Completely.

I never have to go back to that place again. Never have to spend another night scrubbing the toilets or hauling garbage bags full of beer cans and pizza boxes down to the dumpster. Never have to hear Owen call me a bitch again. I thought I’d felt the relief of leaving him before but it was nothing compared to this.

Although maybe that has something to do with the man I was just kissing in the closet.

I peek over at him, my smile growing. I kissed him. I took control in a way that I’ve struggled to do most of my life and I went after what I wanted.

And God, it felt so fucking good.

Closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the seat, I remember what his lips felt like on mine. I remember the way he tasted, like spearmint, and the way he smelled - something warm with a hint of spice. Most of all, I remember the way his hands felt on my body. He held me like he needed me but also like I was precious. The combination of those two things simultaneously is addicting.

I want it again.

All of it.

There is absolutely no doubt about that.

But where the hell do we go from here?

We’ve flirted and we’ve shared a kiss but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t have anything to offer this man. After giving away so much of myself in my relationship with Owen, I have nothing left to give.

Which leaves us with something casual.

It’s never been my thing.

But I could try.

Opening my eyes, I glance over at him and almost like he can feel me looking at him, he meets my eyes. His gaze drops to my lips again and his grip on the steering wheel tightens as he turns to look back at the road.

I barely hold back a giggle.

God, how the hell did I not see it before?

He wants me just as badly as I want him.

We pull into the alley behind the bakery and my belly does a little flip. On the ride over, we didn’t have to talk but now, I don’t know what to say.

Hey, wanna casually hook up?

Yeah, that sounds real sexy.

Dalton pulls the Jeep into my usual spot and tips his head towards my apartment door. “Why don’t you go unlock the door and I’ll carry this stuff up?”

“I can help,” I shoot back and he shakes his head.

“Naw, I got it. Just get the door for me.”