Page 97 of Mine For The Winter

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She was laughing like he’d just told her the most hilarious joke, not that she needed to let Greg know she wasn’t available to date his brother-in-law. Kris narrowed his eyes as she leaned against the bar, the coffee he’d brought her on the counter in front of her.

“It’s not funny.”

“It’s hilarious.” Her eyes crinkled and damn she looked pretty when she was happy. “Do you know the last time anybody propositioned me? Now I’m getting two in one day. Do you think I’ll get a third?”

“You better not,” he muttered.

She wiped her eyes and leaned over to kiss him softly. “You’re all possessive. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You came on my cock three times last night. Damn right I’m possessive.”

“You forgot about the one on your tongue,” she told him, her voice low.

“No, baby, I didn’t. I thought about that one this morning in the shower. For as long as it took.”

“You jacked off in the shower while I was asleep in your bed?” Her cheeks pinked up as she asked him.

“It was that or wake you up. And you looked like you needed some sleep.”

“That’s sweet, I think.” Her brows knitted. “Sweet or dirty. I’m not sure.”

“Can I be both?” He gave her a crooked smile.

“Yeah, I think you can.” She lifted the coffee cup to her lips, taking a sip. “And by the way, you didn’t have to bring me a coffee. I’m not expecting you to shower me with gifts just because we had sex.”

For some reason that rankled him. “I’ll bring you a coffee if I want to bring you a damn coffee.”

Her eyes crinkled. “Well okay then. I’m just telling you I don’t have any expectations. We had fun last night, we’ll have fun the next time. That’s enough.”

“Jesus, Kelly.” He raked his hands through his hair. “That’s not enough. Not anywhere near enough.”

She looked at him, confused. “I don’t understand, isn’t that what you want?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It isn’t.”

“Then what do you want?” she asked him. Her cheeks were still pink from her laughter and he reached out to touch them. So warm and soft.

“I want you to stop settling for something less than what you deserve,” he told her, his voice tight.

“How do you know what I deserve?” She looked at him carefully, like she was trying to work him out.

“I know you deserve more than to have sex with someone then think them bringing you a damn coffee is too much,” he told her. “It cost me three dollars. Jesus.” He shook his head.

“I’ve annoyed you and I don’t know why.”

Kris let out a mouthful of air. “It’s not you. It’s me. And Lyle. And every other asshole whose made you think you deserve less than the best.”

“I don’t think I deserve less. I’m just pragmatic. If you don’t have expectations they can’t get dashed. You’re the one who told me to stop overthinking. So here I am, not thinking about it at all.”

Damn it, she was right and he hated that. “I just wanted you not to worry.”

“And I took it to heart. I’m not worrying.”

He pressed his lips together, his eyes scanning her face. He could always read it like a book. She was being honest, and he hated that.

“Yeah, well I’m worrying now. For both of us.”

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