Page 134 of After All This Time

"No, it's okay," I tell Rachel, but the words are for him. "Thanks, but I'd rather stay."

When Tobias stops in front of me, the space between us crackles with everything left unsaid. He's close enough that Icatch the scent of his cologne—the same scent that stayed on his sheets this morning after he left me and returned to the couch.

"What can I get you?" My smile is all teeth.

"Did you just get offered to go home?" he asks, ignoringmyquestion entirely. He turns to Rachel, and she straightens slightly. "I'd appreciate it if you'd insist on her taking that offer."

Rachel glances between us, her confusion obvious, and I force a smile through clenched teeth. "Rachel, this is my stepbrother, Tobias. Tobias, this is my boss, so please, could you not right now?"

His eyes snap back to mine at the wordstepbrother, and I hate that my skin still burns for his touch even while I want to claw his eyes out.

"Oh, I thought you looked familiar," Rachel says, offering Tobias a smile that doesn't quite mask her curiosity. "And, Amelia, honey, the offer's still there if you need it."

Tobias glares at me, the intensity in his eyes shutting down any response I might've had. Without saying a word, he leans over the bar, and suddenly, the room shrinks to just him and the way he consumes every inch of space between us. Two fingers lift, beckoning me closer, and I do. Of course I do. Because it's Tobias, and apparently, my body doesn't get a say when it comes to him.

"If you call me your stepbrother one more time, I'll make sure everyone here knows exactly who I am to you."Iswallow hard, and my lips part, but nothing prepares me for how his next words strip me bare. "That I'm the one you kiss at night. The one who knows how sweet you taste and makes you come so hard we have to keep changing the fucking sheets."

Oh. Fuck. Me.

"Rachel, I need to take care of something. You sure you don't mind?" I call across the bar, trying to keep my voice steady.Tobias doesn't move, doesn't give an inch, his chest heaving as he towers over me.

"Of course not," Rachel calls back, her voice casual despite the tension hanging in the air. "See you next week. Oh, and good luck with your audition!"

"Thanks!" I manage, slipping out from behind the bar and making my way toward Tobias.

There's so much we haven't said—so much we haven't figured out about where this thing between us is going.

"Leaving already, gorgeous?" Tate's voice slides in, smooth as whiskey and twice as bold. He saunters over, eyeing Tobias like he's sizing up the competition.

"Yeah, I—uh—I mean, we—we've got a familything," I stammer, stepping closer to Tobias for support, even as he stays quiet beside me.

"Too bad. I was hoping if you finished early, we could grab a drink. You coming back later?"

"No. Sheisn't. Amelia, let's go." Tobias's voice is sharp and final, but Tate doesn't flinch.

"Why don't you let the lady answer for herself, huh?"

Tobias steps back slightly, his hand gesturing for me to take the floor, his eyes daring me to prove him wrong. "By all means, Mills. You coming back later?"

My heart races, but there's no hesitation in my answer. "I can't, Tate. Sorry."

"Can't? Orhewon't let you?" Tate's smirk is almost begging to be knocked off his face.

"Jesus fucking—" Tobias snarls, and suddenly his hands are in my hair, rough and demanding. His mouth crashes into mine like a punishment—all teeth, tongue, and ownership. This isn't a kiss—it's a brand, a claim staked in front of everyone. My knees buckle, but he holds me up, one hand fisted in my hair while the other marks my hip.

He breaks away, leaving me dizzy and drunk on him. His eyes lock with mine for one scorching moment before he turns to Tate, his fingers laced possessively through mine. "Clear enough, or do I need to spell it out?"

Tate backs off like a kicked dog. "No, man. We're good."

Without another word, Tobias hauls me out of the bar, his grip on my hand firm. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t look back, just keeps going until we’re outside, standing between our cars, parked side by side.

"What the hell was that?" I snap, the cool night air failing to soothe the fire burning in my chest.

"What?"

"A heads-up, maybe? Before you decide to announce to everyone in there that we're—"

"That we're what, Amelia?" His laugh is edged with frustration as he starts pacing. "Stop talking about us like we're some dirty secret you need to hide."

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