Page 118 of Five Days to Be Mine

“What’s wrong Mr Brennon ?”

“Guests requested that their table did not have alcohol but there was this—” I hold up the champagne, “—at their table.”

“Oh no I’m so sorry!” Dawn’s face pales.

I know how hard she works, and I’d be lost without her.

“It’s okay. Don’t sweat it,” I say.

I spot Mara across, laughing with two women, and my heart skips a beat

“She’s doing great.” Dawn winks at me before rushing away to another table that needed attention.

The rush passed, and I took a moment, leaning against the bar, watching Mara flutter from table to table. She never stops, whether it was to get a package of baby wipes to a table, a drink refill, or to clear a plate.

You’d never know she was up so early.

I realize I’ve never had this kind of energy in a partner before.

The women I’ve been with have waited for me to do things for them or expected me to take care of them.

Partly because it’s in my nature to care and protect but also, and most often, for my money.

Is it odd to say that seeing Mara work the restaurant reminds me of my mother and how she’d go to inventor conventions with my dad and help him work his booth?

I don’t care, because I have never been more sure than I am at this moment that Mara is the woman I’ve always wanted.

I can’t wait to tell her how I feel.

There’s a small part of me, a tiny wobble in my confidence that wonders if she’ll reject me, but she’s worth the risk.

But I want to make it special

My pulse races, thinking of the scene I had planned.

Whatever it takes, I’m going to show her that she is mine.

24 MARA

“What a night.” Evan drapes an arm around me as the elevator doors open to his floor.

“It was epic.”

My feet are aching, my back is sore and my calves are screaming, but being part of the Sinful Bites Valentine’s Day event is something I’ll remember forever.

The restaurant was dripping with love and romance and consensual kink and I'm so happy I got to experience it.

“You’re amazing,” he cups my nape, pulls me in for a kiss against the door.

His kiss gives me a burst of energy and my body heats with desire.

I kiss him back, hungrily, feeling so dizzy with need.

Evan breaks the kiss and lets us inside.

He hangs up his blazer, unbuttons his dress shirt and I take off my flats.

“Thank you for helping.”

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