Page 142 of For the Sub

“Yeah. Mine, too.”

By unspoken agreement, they went inside.

She dumped out the old coffee, then she refilled the cups while he started breakfast.

Since the sun suddenly burst through the early-morning clouds, they decided to return to the patio to eat.

Afterward, they cleaned the kitchen together. He loaded the dishwasher while she put items away and wiped down the countertops.

For a moment, he considered her, imagining them sharing a life, cooking breakfast together every day.

Again, the thought of spending a lifetime with Brandy caught him off guard.

No matter how often he tried to shove it away, it returned and persisted.

Shockingly, he wasn’t sure he wanted a future without her in it.

Acting, rather than thinking, Niles captured her shoulders and brought her in close.

“Sir?”

Wordlessly, he feathered the long length of her hair back from her face then devoured her with a kiss that communicated everything he was unable to express.

When it ended, they were both gulping in breaths of air, and she pressed her hand to her chest.

Her beautiful blue eyes were wide, unblinking, and tears pooled in their depths. “Master Niles…” She pressed her lips together. “I…”

Though he waited for her to continue, she shook her head.

A million words, all unsaid, hung between them.

After finally blinking, she turned and took a step away from him, busying herself by folding a dish towel.

“Shall I brew another pot of coffee?” he asked to fill the looming, suddenly fraught silence.

“Thanks.” She blinked a few times, then shook her head. “But I need to get back.”

He exhaled. “Right away?”

“As soon as I pack up my stuff yes. Will you arrange for the driver?”

This moment had been inevitable.

And just as inevitably, he despised it. “You sure you’ve had enough caffeine?”

“There’s never enough,” she admitted.

Especially with the lack of sleep they’d had.

“Your driver is wonderful. He stopped at my favorite ice cream and coffee shop in Frisco on the way down. Maybe I can talk him into letting me grab another one on the way back through.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Thanks, but…” She trailed off. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

The actual hell?

Finally, after swallowing, she continued, “I appreciate the offer.”

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