I’ve been denying my feelings for him for so long, but when he looks at me like this…it feels like he knows. He can strip me bare, down to my soul, with a single glance.
“You probably have a potion for that.” He clears his throat. “For the burns, I mean.”
“I don’t.” I click my tongue. “Don’t make me brew something on my night off.”
I have many nights off ahead of me. I try not to let the thought be a bother.
“Oh, no. We can’t have that,” he says.
I’m beginning to love how he smiles. There’s a dimple on his right cheek, and while he isn’t freshly shaven, his facial hair is sparse enough that I can see the little dent. I letgo of his hand, my thumb brushing against his dimpled cheek.
It disappears along with his smile. The look in his eye becomes one of intensity.
I’m expecting him to make a move on me, but he doesn’t. He’s perfectly still instead, a gentleman through and through.
“Kiss me,” I whisper, looking up at him with a plea.
He leans down, brushing his lips against mine with a tenderness I don’t expect. He’s choked me, filled me, spanked me… all at my request, of course. It still surprises me when he treats me like I’m soft.
I melt under his gentle touch. For once, I don’t deepen the kiss. I press my lips sweetly to the corner of his mouth, smiling against his skin.
“Juniper…”
He starts, but the end of the sentence never comes. The front door flings open, and Laurel stares at us wide-eyed. A scarlet flush appears on my cheeks as he hurriedly leans away.
“Hey,” I say, doing my best to sound casual.
“Hey!” I’m expecting Laurel to say something embarrassing, but she doesn’t. She shuffles through the room with a secret smile on her face. “I’m just—going up to my room. I’ll be up there! If you need anything!”
“We won’t need anything,” I say.
“Okay!” she squeaks, running away.
Ozan is wearing another smile. “She’s funny.”
“She is the funniest of my sisters.” I chuckle. “Don’t tell Maple I said that.”
“Ah… I don’t know about that. I still remember the 2010 talent show. Maple’s standup was something else.”
“I always thought she should go pro, but she fell in love with cooking instead.”
“There’s time for her to do both. It’s never too late to try something new.”
We’re talking about Maple—but with how he looks at me, I know he’s trying to talk aboutmysituation.
I don’t want to hear it.
“Your hot chocolate is ready.” I lean forward to pick up my saucer.
It’s thick enough to require a spoon. French hot chocolate is superior, even if it’s too rich for some.
Ozan doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. He stirs it around before spooning a bite into his mouth.
“Are you sure you’re not the kitchen witch?” He groans. “This is delicious.”
“Now, we’re both insulting Maple.” I snort. “I may have put some magic in it, but it’s nothing special.”
“Oh yeah? What kind?” He lifts a brow.