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He pushed my coat and suit jacket off my shoulders and I pulled him closer. I felt the warmth of his skin as I slid my hands under the worn jersey, along his back.

“I want...” Nico started, then stopped, his cheeks flushing deeper.

“Tell me.” I removed my coats and tossed them on the counter, not caring if they ended up in wood shavings. “Whatever it is.”

“I want you,” he said, so quietly I almost missed it. “Not just kissing in here. I want... more.”

Heat shot through me. “Nico.”

“I know it’s fast⁠—”

“I don’t care.” Breathing hard, I leaned my forehead against his. “I’ve wanted you since the first night I walked into your workshop.”

“Really?”

“Really.” I paused to study him. Uncertainty and desire warred in his blue eyes. “But I need you to be sure. Once we cross this line, I won’t want to go back.”

Nico didn’t turn away. “Good. Because I’m sure I won’t want to either.”

I kissed him again, slower this time, trying to pour everything I couldn’t say into it. When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.

“Come inside.”

I took his hand and led him out of the workshop. It was a quick trip across the yard to the warm refuge of the house. We didn’t talk as we climbed the stairs to my bedroom. Nico’s hand stayed clasped in mine, fingers intertwined.

The room was dark, except for the light spilling in from the hallway. The space was full of furniture I’d had in my rental. All of it was a far cry from what Nico was building. Through the windows, the workshop glowed in the distance.

“I can’t believe how fast that became ours.”

“It’s not the only thing that’s ours.” I turned to face him. “Now there’s this.” I held up our clasped hands.

His eyes met mine and I saw my desire reflected there. The attraction I had for Nico was unexpected, and yet it seemed inevitable with how smoothly we’d become part of each other’s lives.

“I’ve never... I don’t usually do this.” Nico’s voice sounded unsure. “Fall for someone so fast. Want someone so much it makes me forget everything else.”

“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But with you, it feels right.”

When I kissed him this time, it was deeper, more certain. Nico responded immediately, his hands coming up to frame my face as he pressed into me.

I worked the buttons of my dress shirt with fingers that weren’t steady. He watched every movement, and the intensity of his gaze set off flutters in my chest. When I shrugged out of the shirt, his hands were there, roaming across my chest. He leaned in close and his mouth joined his hands, laying kisses down.

I sucked in a breath when he flicked his tongue over a nipple, which seemed to tell him to do that again. He took the nub into his mouth, while I ran my hands through his hair and held him in place. He had me shuddering with each nibble.

When he nudged back, I released him. His gaze flicked up to me, as his mouth continued to focus on the sensitive skin. I moaned and closed my eyes as sensations cascaded through me.

“You’re beautiful,” he said quietly.

His fingertips traced the scar along my ribs.

“You say that to all the guys?” I tried for lightness even as his touch stole my breath.

“Just the ones who give up their workshops for furniture makers they barely know.”

The honesty in his voice undid me. My hands tugged at the hem of my old jersey.

“Can I?” I asked.

Nico nodded and raised his arms. I pulled the fabric over his head. Underneath, he was lean, dark hair dusted across his chest and traveled down past his stomach before disappearing into his jeans. He was so opposite to me. Elegant where I was broad. Graceful where I was solid.