Page 16

“You like me that way." He smirks, a small dimple appearing above his beard on his left cheek.

I smile, imagining sticking my tongue in the dimple. “Maybe.”

He presses his lips to mine again. The kiss is slower this time—softer. It makes my knees weak in a way the first one didn't. When he pulls back, I catch his shirt. “Don't go yet.” I look at him.

His forehead touches mine. “If I stay, I'm going to want more.”

“So?” I raise my eyebrows.

His eyes close. The tension in him tells me he's not rejecting me—it's restraint. “I don't want to rush you.”

“You're not rushing me."

“Goodnight, trouble.” He kisses my forehead then turns and walks away.

I watch him walk away. I should be frustrated. Instead, I'm smiling. Because Ross isn't holding back because he doesn't want me; he's holding back because he does. And somehow that feels hotter than anything else.

nine

Ross

Dating Kira changes my mornings. She still comes in at seven-fifteen. She still orders the same sugary pumpkin disaster. I still complain. The difference is that now, when no one is looking, she leans over the counter and kisses me. The first time she does it in front of my sisters, Mountain Grind erupts.

“I knew it!” Heather shouts.

Brandi claps. Maddie demands twenty dollars from both of them.

I stare. “You bet on us?”

“Obviously.” Heather tips her head.

Kira laughs so hard she nearly spills her latte. I should be annoyed. Instead, I put an arm around her waist and pull her against my side. My sisters exchange looks, and for once I let them. I want Kira here, in the middle of my ordinary morning, with her ridiculous coffee order and her laugh filling the shop.

Later, when the rush dies down, I find her standing beside the front window, examining a sketch in her notebook. She catches me looking and turns the page toward me. It is a drawing of the mountain skyline above our two storefronts, the little coffee cup on one side and a tattoo machine on the other. I recognize every roofline. She has made the whole street look like somewhere worth keeping. The realization catches me off guard: I want a place in every picture she draws of her future.

“You drew Mountain Grind.” I step beside her and study the careful lines.

“And Temptation Ink.” Kira traces the space between the buildings with her fingertip. “I was thinking about putting it up in my shop.”

“You should.” I glance at her. “You made the place look better than it does.”

“That almost sounded like a compliment.” Kira tips her head, her eyes bright.

“Don’t get used to it.” I catch her hand before she can close the notebook. Her fingers curl around mine.

“Hey.” She brushes her thumb across my knuckles.

“Hey.” I draw her a little closer, ignoring the fact that Heather is probably watching from behind the counter.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Kira studies my face.

“Thinking.” I look down at our joined hands.

“Dangerous hobby.” She smiles, but doesn't push.

“I’m used to taking care of everybody.” I rub my thumb over her fingers. “Sometimes I forget I’m allowed to want something for myself.”

“And what do you want?” Her teasing fades.