Page 63 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

“To better Saturday night plans than going to Cheers.”

That explained her outfit.

“To better plans, and better company.” He gave a small smile back and took a sip, trying not to get lost in her eyes or the way her smiled warmed him from the inside out. His plans were sweaty, and he set the glass on the coffee table and sat on the far end of the couch, hoping she’d take the other end.

Eventually, he’d have to find a way to not have this reaction around her. Or maybe Archer would be right and he’d get so sick of it, he’d have to come clean to her.

But June didn’t take the other end, instead curling up in the center. Not up against him, but close enough that when she relaxed into her position, her knee would definitely touch his.

“Colton just left.” He swallowed and adjusted his pants, contemplating grabbing a throw from his bedroom. It was winter, and she was in a thin top. But she acted like she lived here sometimes and would probably grab one of his sweaters before he got the chance.

“Oh, really?” She pursed her lips, eyes wide and staring at him over the rim of her glass.

“Yeah, him and Ruby had a fall-out.”

“Of course they did, I don’t understand why they don’t just fess up to being madly in love with each other,” she said, chuckling. There was a nervous energy to it, and she adjusted how she sat.

Her knee rested against his.

“Basically what I said, but I guess he’s taking a chef job in San Francisco.”

Goosebumps were starting to erupt across her golden skin.

“Oh. Oh wow. She… She wouldn’t go with him?” June cocked her head, and Dragan glanced at her chest, immediately returning her gaze when he noticed her nipples hard against the fabric.

Of course she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“I’m gonna steal a sweatshirt, I’ll be right back.” June hopped up, setting her glass on the table as she pranced down the hall. He didn’t watch her leave, instead desperately trying to school his cock from jumping to attention and the images of June without a bra on. Or with one on. Frankly, it didn’t matter to him, and that was part of the problem.

He heard her feet patter down the hall, and when she entered the room she had on his Will’s Auto hoodie and a pair of wool socks in hand. The sweatshirt swallowed her, hitting her knees, and she pulled her curled hair into a ponytail. She’d left her red lipstick and cat eye liner on, giving him a seductive look as she put on the socks and took her spot.

A little closer this time.

“So Ruby wouldn’t go to San Francisco with him?”

Dragan shrugged and stared at the blank TV in front of them. “He didn’t say, only that she was staying in Oak Valley. I think her mom’s pretty sick.”

“Aw man, that’s so sad,” June said, anguish in her voice. That was one of his favorite things about her — she genuinely felt what others did and didn’t hide it very well.

“I was thinking… Ruby’s staying in Oak Valley, and Colt had mentioned she does marketing. Maybe she could help with the store?” He looked at June, who was staring off and nursing her drink.

“Yeah, maybe.” She shrugged and looked at him, settling even closer, her arm was pressed against his, enveloping him in her vanilla scent. Dragan wanted to drink her in but could hardly breathe, needing her and not daring to risk a move.

“Wanna watch a movie?” she asked, casting a bright smile his way. As much as she empathized with everyone else’s feelings, June was generally good at hiding her own. Dragan had learned her cues, when to push and when to go with her flow.

“Sure, what were you thinking?”

“There’s a new horror movie out I’m dying to see, if you don’t mind me hiding behind you.” She laughed, pulling up his Netflix queue.

“Of course not.” He gulped. “I’m going to get a blanket, need anything else while I’m up?”

“Nope, a blanket is perfect though.” She looked up at him — he could swear the word adoringly would apply — and smiled.

Yeah, he definitely needed that blanket.

53

Olive sat across from Ruby at the back table in For Goodness Cakes. Ruby wanted to go over her publicity plan with her friend and called ahead to make sure Cheri Taylor wasn’t working, or that Colton had no other reason to drop by.

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