Page 52 of All Your Firsts

“No. Now give it back.”

“What about this last one?” I gaze back at her with a devious smirk.

Her cheeks flush a delightful shade of rosy red, betraying her embarrassment. I reluctantly hand the paper to her, feeling a slight tug as she rips it out of my fingers before folding it and tucking it away in her bag.

“I was thinking. Maybe you can draw for a client coming in tomorrow?”

A radiant smile spreads across her face. “Really?”

“Yeah, I don’t have time.” A lie. I have plenty of time, but I want to give her this. Despite my frustration that day—between the client and I not meshing artistically and then my constant ache for someone I can’t have—witnessing her artistic skills while drawing for that client filled me with a mix of pride and awe. She had a deeper understanding of the client’s wants and needs than I did. She has talent, and it would be a shame to see it wasted, especially while she’s just sitting in my shop.

“Okay. Be back soon,” she says before walking away. “Oh, and Vic?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.” She looks at me with a sweet smile that nearly brings me to my knees.

I’ve had disgusted Rosie when we first met, irritated Rosie over those next couple of days, bratty Rosie most of the time, sensual Rosie the night we became more, and now this. Thankful Rosie. This is one of my favorites and almost rivals sensual Rosie. Almost.

I’d love to see her look at me this way more often.

And I plan to.

I incline my head but say nothing. Then, I watch her until she safely steps into Sweet Escape.

I’ve kept an eye on her every move since the intruder. Who we still haven’t been able to identify. I haven’t wanted to tell her, though, fearing it would scare her, or worse, she’d tell her brother and he’d take her away. So, I’ve silently stuck by her side like a creepy fucking shadow.

“Well, you two look nice and cozy,” Ax says from his station as I walk in the door.

“No clue what you’re talking about.”

“You’ve never been overbearing and protective of any woman. You’ve been jealous and moody as fuck since she’s been here. Haven’t seen you with anyone else since the bar.”

“I’m watching her for Gage.”

“Try again. I’ve known you for too long. What gives?”

I put my head in my hands and massage my temples. “I fucked up.”

“Juicy,” he says as he smirks. “How?”

“You remember a long time ago when I told you about a girl I was writing letters to in prison?”

When he connects the dots, his eyes go wide. “No fucking way.”

“Yes.”

“Does she know?”

I say nothing.

“What about Gage?”

I shake my head.

“He’s going to filet your ass.” He laughs.

“I know.”

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