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‘Whoa, soldier,’ I whispered. ‘You’re not holding back.’

‘You have no idea how much I’m restraining myself. I could go nuclear right now because I want to kiss you so bad, Ana,’ he muttered, his gaze dropping to my parted lips. ‘However, I’m holding back until you’re ready, but know this, woman: it’s killing me.’

I gave a shaky laugh, took a breath, then shifted closer to him, my mind made up.

‘Honey, I’d hate to witness your passing when we’ve so much to look forward to.’

That was all the encouragement he needed.

He slid a hand to the back of my neck and pulled me close in, his mouth capturing mine.

The world narrowed down to the heat of his lips.

Deacon was in no mood for a tender caress; what he unleashed was a demanding, overwhelming takeover of my mouth, heart, and soul that made my head spin.

His hands cupped the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair to tilt it, deepening our connection, drinking me in with thirst.

I clung to his broad shoulders hard as his lips molded to mine with a fierce, possessive hunger that made my knees give out beneath me.

At some point, he drew back, eyes gleaming and on me.

‘You’re so damn beautiful, Ana,’ he murmured, his thumb brushing my bottom lip as his dark eyes locked onto mine. ‘I’ve missed kissing you. God, I’ve missed this for years.’

Every place we touched flared, fanned into a fire that consumed me.

His mouth on my lips, his tongue meeting mine, his hands gliding over me, so enticing and yet so familiar, reigniting memories of the passion we once shared.

I leaned into him, pulling him closer and breathing in his sandalwood, clean-skin scent.

When he pulled back just a fraction, resting his forehead on mine, he exhaled in uneven, ragged gasps, while I shuddered.

I wanted him so much.

The temptation to give in almost leveled me, but then I remembered I’d just walked out of a disaster of a second marriage a day ago.

Was I equipped to dive back into him so fast?

Reconnecting with Deacon meant forever, for he was the love of my life.

Rushing back into a full relationship wouldn’t be wise until I was sure I was fully healed.

I reached out, fingers stroking his temple.

He leaned into the touch, closing the gap till our lips were inches apart.

‘Max is gone for good, Vega, know that,’ I murmured. ‘I want this, but I also need the timing to be right. I have to rebuild my heart so I’d never become what wrecks you.’

‘Baby,’ he groaned. ‘I’m already wrecked for you.’

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, his scorching breath causing my body to shiver with a wave of pure desire.

I stroked his head, thinking no other man had the power to touch my heart or draw emotion from me the way Deacon did.

We spent the rest of the night with eyes locked, the heat between us ratcheting up through the push and pull.

Hands brushed, glances lingered, and his quick kisses pressed to my lips, temple, and brow as Deacon kept tearing down my walls, making me insane for him.

At midnight, we took an Uber back to Kensington, walking from the curb with our arms wrapped around each other’s waists.