Page 66 of Conquering Oz

Elodie laughed, placing the bottle on the table and sitting in the corner of the couch.

“I appreciate your honesty.” Her lips twitched. “And in case you’re wondering, my feelings aren’t that hurt you don’t like my Scotch. Truthfully, I forgot I had it since I don’t drink it.”

Interesting. This was the perfect segue.

“Then why have it?”

“It was my mom’s.” She stilled but blinked as her cheeks pinkened. “She passed away two years ago.”

Oz knew all about her late mother, but she didn’t know that. He wouldn’t be sharing either.

“My condolences,” Oz said and watched as she gave a small nod and flattened her lips. It was easy to see while she had moved on with her life, it’d been a struggle.

Oz purposely glanced over at the boxes in the corner. Elodie must have been watching him.

“That’s all her things. They were in storage, but I had to” —she paused— “I got rid of it. I’m slowly going through everything. It’s amazing what people keep.”

Oz looked back at her, but her gaze was focused on the boxes. She blinked, gave a subtle shake, and smiled at him.

“That’s actually where Julian comes in.” She drove her hand through her hair. “He was really supportive. I went through a—” She licked her lips but didn’t elaborate.

Oz could’ve let it go. Most people would have.

“Went through what?”

“A dark time. We’d always been close, but when she got sick, I moved in with her. Seeing her every day and caring for her became my new normal. And when she died” —she paused and lowered her voice— “it took me a long time to navigate life without her.”

Oz had been surrounded by death for so long, he was immune to it and the grief of others. Ironically, he’d never lost anyone worth mourning over. In some people’s eyes, that was a gift. He assumed Elodie would agree with that.

“Too deep for a second date?”

“No.”

His phone pinged, and he glanced down.

Nash: We have a problem. He’s on the run.

Fuck.

Oz sighed, responding to Nash. It wasn’t the best timing. He hit send and stood.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“I have to handle something. Business.”

“I understand.” She slowly nodded her head. “I don’t have a shift until the afternoon. We could meet for breakfast. Maybe you’ll even let me treat you?”

Oz had a tight and busy schedule for the next couple of days. The only time he would be free was nights. Staying at her placewouldn’t be convenient, especially if he was called away in the middle of the night. But there were other options.

This would be a first for him.

He leaned down, bracing one arm on the couch and hovering over her. Seeing the blush swipe her cheeks was stirring a heat inside of him. He slid the palm of his hand over her cheek and gripped her throat.Beautiful.When Elodie inched upward, he met her halfway, taking her mouth for a kiss. Oz was short on time, but it didn’t stop him from deepening the kiss. Her tongue slipped past his lips, tangling with his. The second she pressed her hands against his chest, he knew he had to end it. Oz pulled away, but Elodie fisted his shirt.

He dug his fingers into her neck gently, breaking away from the kiss. “You’ll be at my place tomorrow night. I’ll send you the address.”

“Am I staying the night?”

Oz had never had a woman share his space. “Yes.”

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