Page 39 of Recklessly in Love

She nods and leads the way, but as we head back inside, I privately consider her words.

She’s right. Two years ago, Mia was miserable at her job, and I was burning the candle at both ends and trying to find fulfillment in all the wrong places. And by places, I mean dicks.

And now? Mia is engaged to the love of her life, running a successful business she’s passionate about. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her, even if she’s not exactly more relaxed these days. But that’s Mia. Like me, she needs a challenge, and now she’s got one that she actually enjoys.

As for me, I walked away from a going-nowhere career which gave me the opportunity to take a chance on something that matters. This incorporation project has meaning. Purpose. And in Greg, I may have found a partner who will support me and give me room to do my thing. That’s always been my biggest reason for not getting into relationships: losing myself. And on some level, I know that if this relationship goes the distance, that won’t happen with Greg.

The realization hits me like a freight train. I want that. I want him. Not just for now but for … no, I can’t think the F-word. I may have come far, but there are still things I’m not ready for, and forever is definitely on that list. Only time will prove whether we work together on that level.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Greg appears at my side. “Hey,” he says softly. “Sorry about all that.”

I shake my head and lean into him. “Don’t apologize. You were standing up for what’s right. I’m just pissed that that little weasel of a cousin of yours isn’t going to face any consequences for trying to drug Carrie.”

He presses a kiss to my temple. “He’ll get his, don’t worry. But I’m sorry because that is not how I wanted this night to go.”

“It’s not your fault,” I assure him. “And it’s totally last year, baby. Let’s start the new year how we want it to be.” I give him a suggestive grin as I slide my hand up his chest and sink my fingers into his dark curls.

As if on cue, the crowd around us starts chanting. “Ten, nine, eight...”

Greg smiles slyly and pulls me against him, his hands wrapping around my backside possessively.

“Seven, six, five...”

I run my nose along his.

“Four, three, two, one ... Happy New Year!”

As cheers erupt around us, Greg lowers his mouth to mine. He nibbles gently at my bottom lip, then swipes his tongue over it. I open to him, and he slips inside, meeting me in gentle strokes that get harder as his cock does against my stomach. His hands pull me tighter, sliding up my back and tugging at my hair. Still, he’s gentle and thorough, clearly devoted to making me feel the passion behind the kiss. But given the timing, it also feels like a promise for the coming year of the passion waiting for me. For us.

When we break apart, he rests his forehead against mine. “Is it too soon to tell you I love you?” he whispers.

My heart races in my chest at his question-slash-confession. “It’s never too soon to tell someone how you feel,” I reply honestly. “But I’m not sure I can say it back yet.”

He pulls back slightly, disappointment flickering in his eyes before it’s replaced with understanding. “That’s okay. I can wait.”

I smirk at his clear confidence that I will say it back when I’m not even sure I will. But then, as he pulls me back into his arms, I breathe him in, feeling the rightness of this, of us, settle into my bones.

I may not be ready to say the words, but I know, without a doubt, that I’m falling head over heels for this man.

And I’m not running from it for the first time in my life. So maybe he’s right after all, and I will say it someday. Perhaps even someday soon.

“Is it too late to tell you I want to be fucked thoroughly in your office for New Year’s?” I tease, deflecting the seriousness of the moment.

His pupils dilate as his cock twitches against me, and I bite my lip.

“It’s never too late for that,” he replies before his mouth crushes mine. But only briefly before he breaks off and pulls me through the room and to his office, where we ring in the new year properly. Twice. And if the crazy hot sex shoved up against his door is any indication, it’s going to be a good year.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GREG

I wake up on New Year’s Day with Joanie curled against my side, her soft breaths tickling my chest. Last night was incredible, both the party and the private celebration with Joanie afterward. I should be feeling great and ready to start the year strong.

Instead, my mind is consumed with thoughts of Ned and the stunt he tried to pull with Carrie. I spin through all the times he’s crossed the line by propositioning women who come through his checkout. And that’s not even the worst of it. I knew it had escalated lately, hearing through the town’s grapevine that he’d recently put his hands on at least two women. Unfortunately, he’s always careful to stay in line when Nate or I are around, even if he does mutter insults under his breath that he thinks we can’t hear. That shit is nothing. But groping … I should’ve realized it was a progression toward something even worse.

I’m sick to my stomach, not just over his behavior, but that I haven’t found a way to put a stop to it sooner. Based on the discussion Nate and I had last night, he feels the same way. Surely, between us, we should’ve seen this coming and been able to stop it before he got as far as he did.

And yet, we weren’t. My biggest fear is that he’ll succeed sooner rather than later because one of us won’t always be there to stop him.

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