Page 39 of Stolen Vows

“Alright,” I murmur, nodding toward the small table and chairs by the front window. “Let’s eat cupcakes.”

11

GRAHAM

“You knowwhat would make this even better?” Francesca flicks her tongue out, a missed attempt to wipe the smudge of cream cheese frosting from the corner of her mouth.

I don’t blink, don’t fucking move. But my pulse slams at the sight of it.

“Hm?” It’s all I can muster, my voice rougher than I intend. Desire coils hot and insistent in my gut, urging me to lean in, to taste the sweetness on her lips myself. But I force myself to remain still, fingers flexing against my thigh.

I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking. Sitting here, eating cupcakes. Watching her tongue swipe along her lip like it’s not going to be the death of me.

This isn’t normal.

I don’t do this. Lingering. Letting myself get pulled into someone else’s orbit.

Except I am. I’m enjoying her company, probably more than I should. Definitely more than is smart. And absolutely more than is fucking safe.

“Coffee.” She grins, licking the last bit of frosting from her thumb. “An iced latte to be exact.”

I exhale sharply, dragging my attention away from her mouth. “You know, there’s a coffee shop just down the block.”

“I know, but unfortunately, they’re not dog-friendly.”

I glance down at the pet in question, curled up beside her chair, his fluffy ears perked as he watches her every move.

“That’s not a dog,” I say flatly. “That’s an oversized stuffed animal.”

She laughs, bright and full, the kind that curls deep in my chest and lingers there.

“He does look like a stuffed animal, doesn’t he?” She glances down at him, skimming her palms over his long ears. “It’s the velvet ears, I think.”

Romeo lets out a small whine, nudging his snout against her knee, silently begging for his bite of cupcake. She chuckles, shaking her head as she strokes his fur, fingertips gliding absently over his coat.

“Stuffed animal or not, I don’t want to crate Romeo right now. Not when he’s been cooped up behind the counter all day.” Her brows draw together slightly, the corners of her mouth dipping just enough to show that it bothers her. That it matters to her.

I watch her blow an air kiss toward Romeo, who sits patiently at her feet, his tail swishing lightly across the floor.

“He seems okay to me.”

She looks at him with such affection, such quiet devotion, that I surprise myself when the first hot curl of jealousy licks inside my gut.

It’s absolutelyridiculous. Jealous of a fucking dog?

Get a fucking grip, I tell myself.

“No, he is,” she murmurs, running her fingers over his soft fur. “But I need to get him on a walk. It’s not fair to have him inside all day, especially when I’m sure he’s overstimulated from everyone here.”

I nod, rolling my shoulders back, shifting slightly in my chair. “I’ll remember coffee for next time.”

Her head jerks up, our gazes colliding. “Is there going to be a next time?”

It’s a challenge, a test. There’s a spark of something teasing in her voice, but a thread of sincerity underneath it.

“Do you want there to be?”

She doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes.” She pauses for a beat. “Do you?”

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