Page 79 of The Hearts We Fumble
Heat rushes up my neck, and I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Was I really that obvious?”
She chuckles. “About as subtle as a hurricane, honey.”
I let out an exaggerated sigh, but I don’t bother arguing. Instead, I reach into my bag, pull out a twenty, and slip it into her tip jar before climbing off the stool. Rounding the bar, I wrap my arms around her, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.
“You tell that boy I expect to see him at my table for Sunday dinner soon,” she murmurs, squeezing me tight.
“I will,” I promise, inhaling the familiar scent of vanilla and coffee that always clings to her.
With a wave to Brad and the other regulars, I head out into the cool night air. The bar is quiet, not surprising for a Wednesday, and the parking lot is mostly empty. As I slide into my car, I pull out my phone and check my notifications. Just as I suspected—Zane.
Zane: You on your way? Dinner’s ready in 10.
A smile tugs at my lips as I start my car, my stomach tightening with anticipation. Tonight, he told me to plan on staying for dinner. We’d agreed to do something low-key—either play a game or watch a movie—but honestly, I don’t care what we do. Just being with him is enough.
The scent of garlic and herbs fills the air when I step up to his door and knock before letting myself in. Zane doesn’t hear me right away, too focused on pulling a tray of garlic bread from the oven.
I hesitate, not wanting to startle him, but the sight of him—his strong frame, the way his Henley stretches across his back, the muscles in his arms flexing as he moves—leaves me momentarily breathless.
This.
This is what I never thought I’d have, and now that I do, I don’t want to let it go.
He slides the pan to the side, careful to keep it away from the simmering pasta carbonara. The scent of garlic and parmesan fills the air, making my stomach rumble, but the second I step closer to him, food is the last thing on my mind.
I wrap my arms around his waist from behind, pressing my cheek against his back. His body tenses for a brief second before he hums in approval, his warmth sinking into me.
Zane turns in my arms, his palms cupping my face as he leans down, brushing his lips over mine. His kisses are slow and unhurried, like he’s savoring me.
“Finally,” he murmurs between kisses. “I’ve been waiting for you to get here.”
I grin against his lips. “Miss me?”
“Always.”
His mouth parts, tongue teasing against mine, deepening the kiss. His hands roam over my back and down to my ass before he lifts me effortlessly onto the counter. I gasp, my legs instinctively parting to make room for him between them. His fingers map my body—trailing up my thighs, gripping my waist—like he can’t decide where he wants to touch me most.
My heart pounds, but I manage to smirk. “Smells good in here.”
Zane chuckles, his breath warm against my lips before he pulls back, reaching for a fork. Twisting some pasta onto the tines, he steps closer, holding his hand beneath it to catch any drips.
“Open up,” he orders, his voice thick with amusement.
I obey, letting him feed me the bite. The moment the creamy, savory sauce hits my tongue, I hum in appreciation, eyes fluttering shut.
Zane watches me intently, his expression smug. “You like it?”
I swallow, licking my lips. “It’s incredible. Compliments to the chef.”
He grins. “He’ll take all the compliments he can get. Although, we wouldn’t want his ego getting too big, right?”
I tilt my head, pretending to consider it before slipping my hand between us to palm the front of his jeans. “Oh, I think we both know something that’s already big.”
Zane sucks in a sharp breath, his body jerking forward at the contact. The fork slips from his fingers, clattering onto the floor, but he doesn’t even flinch.
“Jesus, Wyatt,” he groans, pressing closer, his hands tightening on my hips. “Easy, baby, or we’ll be eating leftovers tonight instead.”
A slow smile curves my lips as I wrap my legs around his waist, dragging him flush against me. Heat flickers in his eyes as his hands slide beneath my shirt, his palms exploring my skin with a reverence that sends a shiver through me.
