Page 113 of Love for a Lifetime

The station was bustling, but no one was stomping around or loudly popping off information. That was always a good sign. Asa stood beside Lyric’s desk, looking down at her with a goofy grin on his face.

The guy was head over heels–totally drooling over his new wife.

Who could blame him? Dawson was finally getting the chance to love Olivia like he’d always wanted, and he’d been obnoxiously obsessed with all things Olivia the entire week. He couldn’t go a minute without thinking about her, and he had zero intentions to change.

“Morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Dawson said as he walked by them, tipping an imaginary hat.

“What are you doing here?” Lyric asked.

“Gotta write up a report before heading out for the rest of the day.”

Asa propped his back against the wall by Lyric’s desk. “Where are you going?”

He’d promised not to share about Olivia’s problems, so he went with the closest thing that wasn’t a lie. “I’m hanging out with Olivia this afternoon.”

Lyric clasped her hands at her chest. “Aww. That’s so sweet.”

“Missing work already. You got it bad, man,” Asa said.

Lyric swatted her husband’s arm. “Stop it. It’s cute, and Dawson never takes off days.” She turned to Dawson with a smile. “I’m so happy for y’all.”

“Not as happy as I am,” Dawson said.

“Happy about what?”

Dawson turned at the question to find Olivia walking up. A pastel green headband that matched her sweater pushed back her long, dark hair, and she carried a big white bag with a Deano’s logo on it.

Dawson was heading toward her before his feet knew what they were doing. He took the bag from her hands and moved it to the side as he pressed a kiss to her lips. It ended too quickly, and it took Olivia an extra second to open up her eyes.

“Hello, my queen. I thought we were meeting at the doctor’s office,” he whispered.

After a short hesitation and a longing look meant just for him, she said, “I left work a little early to change and grab some lunch.” She tilted her head toward the bag he now held. “Want to eat before we go?”

“I will never say no to food, though you’re the bigger and better surprise.”

He held her close to his side as she scanned the room around them. At least a dozen people milled about, but he doubted anyone cared about their public displays of affection.

“What if someone sees us?” Olivia whispered.

“Anna is out of town. We have a few days before we have to worry about that,” he reminded her.

“It’s not just Anna. What if someone sees and tells her?”

Dawson released Olivia and gestured for her to head toward the break room. “Okay, I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

She pressed up onto her toes and whispered against his cheek, “Not that I mind. I’ve been thinking about kissing you all day.”

Dawson’s breaths deepened. That was one way to make his brain short circuit. Every sound in the room faded as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the break room.

Olivia giggled behind him. “What are you doing?”

“Praying for an empty room.” He dragged her into the quiet room, put the bag on the counter, and twirled her around to face him.

He cut off her laugh with a kiss, tasting that sweet melody that hummed through his entire body.

Kissing Olivia was an otherworldly experience. It was a give and take that balanced everything. They both gave their whole selves every time their lips slid against each other. His hold tightened around her waist with the need to crush her to him, eliminating all space that separated them.

Holding back the floodgates for over a decade had taken all of his self-control, and giving in was blissful and dangerous.

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