Page 33 of Only Ever You

The next date, two days later, is the same.

He takes me for a nice dinner, and afterward kisses me senseless before leaving.

I know what he’s doing—we’re both trying to be patient. I’ve never been one to rush into anything, but with Deacon all I want to do is rush.

The way he struggles to pull away from me, I get the feeling Deacon’s the same.

But no matter what’s happening between us, I’m walking around with a near permanent smile on my face. I never dreamed Deacon would return my feelings.

“So, are you seeing Deacon now?” Mallory asks.

I nod. “We’ve been on a couple of dates.”

She presses her lips together and places her hand on my arm. “Just … be careful.”

Frowning, I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”

Mallory hesitates before answering. “He’s my friend, but he’s not good with commitment. In all the time I’ve known him, he’s not been in a relationship. He’s not that good with them.”

I straighten up and swallow hard. “Well, we’re different.”

Her smile’s forced. “I’m sure you are.”

I’ve liked Mallory up until today. Now, I’m not so sure.

“I’ve known him all my life, Mallory. I know I’m safe with him.”

“Even after your brother screwed him over?”

I’m not one to lose my temper, and I’m not dumb enough to lose it at one of the company owners. But I’m not taking this lying down. “What happened is in the past, and between them. It’s got nothing to do with me.”

She holds her palms up as if surrendering. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. He’s not one for girlfriends or sticking with one woman for very long. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.”

We’re nearly finished with planning the invitations for the launch, and I’m only a few minutes from going to lunch before I return to my desk for the afternoon.

Mallory gives me a short, sharp nod, and I’m gone.

But her words echo in my brain.

Is she right?

Chapter Eleven

Deacon

Walking away from Pippa at the end of the night is getting tougher and tougher.

It’s taking every ounce of control I have not to pounce on her the second I get her alone.

But I want to show her that I’m a good man—one who’s not just after her for sex. If I get this right, we’ll have a lifetime together.

It’s also way too early to be thinking like that, but from the moment Pippa walked back into my life, I was a goner.

So, the other reason for holding back is because I don’t want to freak her out.

She’s told me all about her crush on me, but that was a long time ago and we were both kids.

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