Page 65 of Stolen Vows

“Francesca,” he replies, his voice a low rumble that seems to reverberate through my bones. He takes a step closer to the counter, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve missed you.”

“You have?” The words come out breathier than I intend, but I can’t help it. Not with the way he’s looking at me, like he wants to devour me whole.

“I have.” Another step, and now he’s right in front of me, close enough to touch. “Thought about you all day too.”

My breath hitches in my throat as Graham leans in closer, his hands coming to rest on the counter on either side of me, caging me in. I can feel the heat of his body, the electric charge of his proximity sending tiny sparks skittering across my skin.

“In fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about you in months.”

“This is unexpected.” I swallow hard, trying to regain my composure.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a smirk. “C’mon, Sunshine. You can’t be all that surprised. I’m here every Tuesday.”

I grin. “Oh, I know that. I meant thisdirectness.”

His nose skims along my jaw, his breath fanning my skin and making me shiver. “Do you want me to stop?” he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“No,” I whisper, tipping my chin up. “I like it.”

“Good,” he murmurs against my skin before stepping back.

A pout forms before I can talk myself out of it. I roll my lips inward to smother the choice words trying to burst free. If he wants to edge me a little bit, fine, I can handle it. I read dark romance for fun, I can handle a little delayed gratification.

Even if it’s only a kiss.

Graham reaches for the drink carrier, plucking one of the cups from its slot. My eyes track the movement, my heart rate kicking up a notch at the simple domesticity of it. He hands me the cup, his fingers brushing against mine in a way that I’m almost certain is deliberate.

“Iced caramel latte, extra whip,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that seems to vibrate through my chest.

“Thank you.” I curl my fingers around the cup, the condensation cool against my overheated skin. I take a slow sip and look at him, letting my gaze crawl over every inch I can see.

He looks good. Annoyingly good. Dark jeans, a fitted black T-shirt that stretches over broad shoulders, his ever-present sharp gaze scanning the store before landing on me.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

I swear his lips twitch, like he knows exactly how many times I checked the clock today.

He lifts a brown paper bag by the handles and says, “It’s Tuesday, Sunshine.” Like that’s the answer to everything.

And shit, maybe it is. Maybe it’s that simple.

“So it is,” I muse.

Romeo trots over to Graham, tail wagging in eager anticipation. He sits patiently at Graham’s feet, dark eyes fixed on the paper bag in his hand, nose twitching like he catches the scent of whatever is inside.

Graham chuckles, a warm, rich sound that fills the space between us. He reaches into the bag and pulls out a small box, the same fancy bakery logo emblazoned on the lid. “I didn’t forget about you, buddy.”

He opens the box to reveal a neat pile of gourmet dog biscuits, each one frosted to look like a real cookie.

“You’re spoiling him again,” I murmur with a smile.

“He deserves it.” He holds out the treat, letting Romeo gently take it from him before giving him a quick scratch behind the ears.

“He does,” I agree.

Romeo happily munches on the treat, his tail thumping contentedly against the floor. I watch the exchange with a soft smile, warmth blooming in my chest at the easy affection between them.

Graham straightens and turns to me, his expression unreadable but his eyes glinting with something that I can’t quite place. “I got you something too.”

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