Page 21 of June 7

Bane was probably warm and cozy in his jeans and leather vest. If she could distract him, maybe he'd stay longer.

"So, as your landlord." She grinned. "It's okay to use my outdoor furniture."

"You use them almost nightly," he said.

She swallowed hard. That wasn't true. She had only started spending time out on the patio since he moved in. Usually, she avoided that part of the duplex unless she grilled food, and even then, she took the food inside after it was cooked and sat at the table.

There were times when she wished the view of the ocean brought her the calmness and serotonin it appeared to bring to others. But when she spent too long looking at the crashing waves, rolling over each other, she started slipping back in time.

Once she allowed herself to fall into a funk, it was hard to pull herself up again.

She'd worked hard to look toward the future and not dwell on the past.

Tequila managed to get her through June 7th every year. The contentment time between and after came from a deep-seated need to pretend everything was normal.

"How's the parts shop coming along?" she asked.

"Grand Opening is Monday." He latched his hands behind his head and stretched his legs, crossing his ankles. "You'll come."

"Oh, will I?" She laughed. "Because you never know when the urge to buy a motorcycle will hit me?"

"Something like that." He continued looking at her, and she realized he was serious.

"I'd love to see what you've done with the place." She leaned forward and planted her elbows on the table, cupping her chin in her hand. "If anyone comes into the pool needing a recommendation on where to buy motorcycle parts, I can direct them next door."

He raised his left brow. "You're cute."

She squeezed her thighs together in pleasure at the compliment. The more she got to know him, the more his personality emerged. It also made some things he said seem like he was flirting with her.

"Have you ever rode a Harley?"

She shook her head.

He hummed, seemingly thinking over her answer. She couldn't tell if he was disappointed in her answer or took it as a challenge. All she knew was that she liked it when he was with her, and the conversation flowed easily and freely.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the pool on my Harley. You can walk to the shop after work, and then I'll bring you back home." He nodded as if saying it was a done deal.

She'd never met someone like him. It was as if, one day, he moved in and became a permanent part of her life. They had dinner together—twice. Bought or made each other gifts. And slept together once. Though she couldn't remember that happening, he had verified that fact with her.

"You can't be looking at me that way," murmured Bane.

The huskiness of his statement rolled through her. Her nipples hardened. She rubbed her arms, bringing his gaze down to her chest.

"What way?" she whispered, wondering if it was the way he had her feeling right now.

A low growl carried in the wind. "Babe."

She inhaled swiftly. He'd called her babe.

Lowering her hands, she rubbed her thighs. He'd left her trembling, and it wasn't from the chill in the night air.

"Fuck." He hooked her neck, pulling her forward across the table as he leaned across the surface.

She opened her mouth in shock, knowing what he planned to do milliseconds before his mouth captured her lips. His lips, fuller than hers, were plush and wonderful. His tongue was gentle and soft.

His hand cupped the back of her skull.

Oh. My. God.

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