Page 41 of The One for Forever

We reach my office, but instead of saying goodbye, Rex follows me inside the small room.

“Quinn,” he says. “I think I should explain. What you saw on my phone…”

“No need. What’s there to explain?”

He’s looking at me with that intense expression again. The one I just can’t figure out. And I’ve finally,finally, had enough. There’s only one way I’ll ever be able to let go of this obsession and move on. I have to yank out this knife, no matter how much it hurts, so I can start to heal.

I need to break my heart the rest of the way.

“You know, you really should get together with Denise. In fact, we could make it a group thing. Invite Cliff and Leah.”

His mouth presses into a thin, flat line. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh come on, it’ll begreat,” I say, unable to keep a hint of sarcasm from darkening my words. “I’ll bring a date too.”

Rex’s glower is getting more stormy by the second. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Why? I’m not eighteen anymore. I’m a grown woman who dates men. In case you didn’t notice.”

“I—”

“What about that bodyguard guy you work with? Leon? Do you know if he’s taken?”

“Quinn.”

“No, you’re right, not Leon. He’s kind of young.” I barely even know what I’m saying at this point. My brain is going off the rails. “I’ve never told you this before, but I like older men. Silver foxes aredefinitelymy jam. It’s been way too long since I had a night out.” I pull my phone from my pocket. “What’s the name of that app you’re using? I’m going to download it right now. Unless you can set me up with a friend of yours. A sexy divorced single dad who’s looking for a good time? I’m down for it. If you get my meaning. DTF.”

He plucks my phone from my fingers and throws it. The device goes sailing across my office, landing on the carpet. I stare after it with my mouth open.

Then I look back at him. And my eyes meet two pools of pure dark fire. Rex advances until I’m crowded up against my desk. The sheer masculine energy he’s giving off stops my crazy train in its tracks.

“I don’t want to hear about you with other men.”

“Othermen?” I repeat, just because his words won’t compute in my head.

Rex grits his teeth as a wicked, low sound rumbles out of him. He lifts his hand and presses his thumb against my lips to stop me from talking.

What is happening right now?

“Quinn,” he says again, and I have never heard my name drenched in so much emotion. Like he’s speaking volumes, dredged up from his very soul, with that one word. His thumb moves to caress my cheekbone. The gesture is so tender. It must short-circuit something in my brain.

Because the next thing I know, I’m stretching onto my toes and pressing my lips to his.

Just a quick brush. But it’s enough to shake me all the way down to my toes.

Rex tilts back and looks down at me. “Did you just kiss me?”

I don’t know where this sudden, wild bravery is coming from, but I say, “Yeah. Are you going to kiss me back?”

“Fuck, yes.”

His hand goes to the back of my neck, holding me there, and his mouth seems to melt against mine. Our lips fit perfectly together. The scruff on his chin gently scratches me, and I grab for the lapels of his suit jacket. The kiss is sweet and slow, the heat between us gradually building.

Then Rex’s tongue brushes my lips. I gasp, mouth opening, and the tip of his tongue slips inside.

His tongue is in my mouth. How is this happening?

I don’t care. I don’t want to do anything to break this moment. I never want this to stop.

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