Page 47 of Fixer for the Billionaire

I shake my head, trying to clear it. This is too much. Too overwhelming. And yet, I can't stop myself.

I head back inside, mind spinning, heart racing. The scent of maple syrup and flour wafts through the air as I head for the stairs.

I hear the shower running as I climb, one step at a time. My vision blurs as I approach the hallway bathroom, grab the door handle, and push it open.

Inside, steam swirls around a naked Quentin, who stands behind the opaque shower wall. He doesn't even look up as I enter, just continues to scrub his hair.

"Hey," he calls out. "Sanchez?"

I stand there, numb. "Yeah?"

"I hope you don't mind. I got the girls ready. I figured you could use a little time for yourself, so I?—"

But I can't hear anything else. Not over the sound of my heart pounding against my chest.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath.

Untying the sash of my robe, I let it fall to the floor before stepping into the shower with him, letting the hot water wash away all my doubts and fears as I wrap my arms around Quentin's neck and press my lips to his.

Chapter Eighteen

QUENTIN

When Carmina steps into the shower, her actions speak louder than any words ever could.

I’m rinsing the last of the shampoo from my hair, suds swirling down the drain, when I feel her arms wrap around my neck.

The surprise barely registers before her lips are on mine, warm and insistent. It’s like a punch to the gut, in the best possible way.

This is it.

The moment I've hoped for, the one I've been craving with every visit to her office.

With every Danity tour date. With every glance that lingered a second too long.

It's her answer to the silent ultimatum hanging between us—about whether she and I could actually do this—whatever this is. About whether what I feel is one-sided or if she’s in this twisted, delightful dance with me too.

And I’ll be damned if I don’t take this opportunity to prove she’s made the right choice.

Without hesitation, my hands find her waist, pulling her closer as I lean into the kiss, letting it deepen. The hot water cascades over us, mingling with the heat between us, washing away any lingering uncertainty. In this moment, in the steam and the warmth and the undeniable connection, everything else falls away.

It's just Car and me.

As we break apart for air, I look into her eyes and see the same desire I feel mirrored there.

It's like a fire has been lit inside of me, burning brighter than any hesitation.

I know what she wants, and I want it too. And I'm not going to let anything stand in the way.

Not my insecurities. Not our complicated history. Not even the fact that I’m sure I haven’t scrubbed all the pancake flour from my hands away.

Pulling back for a scorching second, I whisper against her lips, "Well, that answers my ultimatum."

Carmina nods, cheeks flushed. "I guess it does."

Chuckling, I gently nudge her nose with mine. "How about we move this to a more comfortable location?"

To my delight, Carmina agrees, her eyes alight with the same flame that's been driving me insane.

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