Page 52 of The Cask

“You’re avoiding the subject again,” I countered.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“And you never will,” I joked.

He didn’t laugh. “I know.”

I discreetly put my hand on my stomach.Motherfucking butterflies!

“I’m sorry, you’re going to have to stop looking at me like that,” I told him softly.

“Like what?”

“Like that!”

“Like I like you?”

My lips started twitching as they attempted to curve upward. “Yes.”

He smirked. “Well, I do.”

“You don’t really know me.”

“I know enough to know I want to know more.” A ghost of a smile played on his lips. “I know there’s more to you than being a hard worker even though working hard is what you do most of the time. I know you love your family. I know you’re passionate about life. I know you don’t take shit. I know you have a sensitive side of you that you don’t show to everyone. I know you have a big heart and you’re always looking out for people. I know you don’t back down from a challenge. I know you’re always plotting and planning something because I’ve seen you update your featured wine list every day. I know you have a fire in you.” He hesitated. “And I know you understand me in a way no one else does.”

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t look away from him, but I also couldn’t speak. I felt seen and I knew what he meant even if I really didn’t want to.

“I may not know all the specifics about you yet,” he continued. “But I know your vibe and I know your character.”

“And that’s enough for you?” I whispered.

“No, but that’s enough for now.” His eyes pinged over my face. “Do you feel like you know me? My character?” he countered.

My heart thumped in my chest. Lost in his eyes, I bit my lip and nodded.

He smiled. “Okay then. We’ll figure the rest of it out together,” he uttered with so much sincerity that I bought into it.

We laughed and talked as we finished our subs. He kept his arm draped around my shoulder as we walked back to The Cask.

“I appreciate you coming to lunch with me,” he told me as he took my face in his hands. “There’s a lot I have to take care of today and I needed this.”

“I needed it, too. I didn’t even know I needed it. I didn’t even know I was that hungry.” I licked my lips and I watched his eyes follow my tongue. “You better be careful before your fan club sees you.”

“They need to know that you’re the only one who has my attention,” he uttered before leaning down and kissing me.

It was soft at first. His lips moved over mine tentatively. When I wrapped my arms around him, he deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. He made sure my entire body felt it.

“Excuse me,” a voice interrupted, causing our kiss to end.

I was so caught up in the kiss that I didn’t recognize the voice at first.

“I just need to squeeze by you,” Alexis said as she tried to stick the key in the door behind me.

I closed my eyes and moved closer to Omari and out of her way. When I heard the door close, I knew she was in the bar and I let my lashes flutter open.

Omari was looking like he was trying not to laugh.

“That’s not funny,” I hissed, swatting his arm.

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