Page 62 of Somehow You Knew

Shit.Why did I fucking say that?

“Used to?” She turns fully toward me, her brows knitting together. “What changed?”

Regret and anger race through me simultaneously. “It’s just not in the cards for me, Spitfire.”

“How come?”

Thankfully, before I can come up with a safe response, the door to the studio chimes, pulling Hazel’s attention away from me as someone walks in.

“Nathan?” The shock in Hazel’s voice is the first red flag. The second? The way she shifts closer to me —like the man who just walked in isn’t just a surprise, but a problem.

I slide my arm around her waist so she knows I’m here if she needs me.

“Hey, Hazel.”

I take in the man standing a few feet away from us—blond, muscular but not more so than me, and dressed in a khaki suit that looks like it belongs in a corporate boardroom rather than Hazel’s studio.

“Wow. It’s been a while,” she says, her voice laced with something between wariness and forced politeness. “What…what are you doing here?”

His smile morphs from hesitant to slimy. “I’m in town visiting my folks. Just thought I’d stop by.” He looks around the studio. “You’re still working out of this tiny space, huh?”

My grip on Hazel’s waist tightens.Who the fuck is this guy?

Hazel doesn’t miss a beat, though. “I sure am. Lower overhead, higher profit margins. Most of my shoots are on location anyway.”

Nathan scoffs. “Glad to hear your little photo hobby is paying the bills, at least.” His eyes land on my hand around her waist and then flick back up to her. “And who’s this?”

Taking a step forward, I flash a wide smile and say, with an overwhelming amount of pleasure, “Her husband.”

His gaze snaps back to Hazel. “You’re married?”

“Uh, yeah. This is—”

“Gage Kingston.” I extend a hand for him to shake, even though I’d much rather punch him in the face with it. “And you are?”

Slowly, he places his hand in mine. “Nathan Smith. Hazel and I go way back,” he says with a smirk.

Hazel clears her throat. “Yeah, to a time I wouldn’t exactly call my finest era.”

I bark out a laugh. “Damn. I guess some memories are meant to stay buried, huh?”

His smirk falters. “Yeah…”

“Looks like the little man is sleeping again if you wanna get some more shots in.”

The voice behind us has all three of our heads spinning. Hazel’s clients are standing there, the mother cradling her now-sleeping baby, their expressions caught somewhere between amused and politely uncomfortable.

“Great! I’ll be right there!” Hazel practically shouts, moving out of my grasp while smoothing down her jet-black hair. Turning to Nathan, she says, “Well, this has been fun. Nathan, good to see you. And Gage…”

I place my hand on her waist again. “Yeah, baby?”

Her lips part. For a second, she looks completely thrown—like she doesn’t know how to respond. “I’ll—I’ll see you at home.”

Without thinking, I yank her into my chest and plant my lips on hers, the move so natural that it takes us both by surprise. At first, it’s a show—a message to Nathan. But when I hear a breathy little moan escape her throat, I tighten my hold on her hips and glide my tongue gentlyagainst hers, teasing, savoring—until I remember where the hell we are.

I pull back slowly, and when we part, she stares up at me, eyes wide.

“Actually, I’m coming back with lunch for you, remember?” I say, hoping she goes along with it. The last thing I want is for this asshole to think I’m leaving her alone.

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