Page 70 of The Last Call Home
She laughs loudly.It doesn’t just echo in the space between us.It lands inside me, sparking something buried within my heart.It’s not just the sound.It’s the way her eyes crinkle, the way her shoulders relax like—for a breath—everything feels okay.
Suddenly, I feel it.That slow, impossible warmth breaking through the cold I’ve lived with for too long.This isn’t just some attraction to a beautiful woman, nor comfort, but hope.Maybe I’m not as far gone as I once thought.I could get something like this if I work really hard on me—on us.
Of course, I do the only thing that makes sense.
I kiss her again.
Because I’m not done tasting her.Because it’s four a.m.and the world is still too quiet, and she’s right here.
When I pull back, her lips are curved into that smirky, knows-too-much smile that makes my stomach twist in all the wrong-right ways.
“Are you aware you smell likehimand sex?”she teases, coy and maddening and perfect.
“Is that a problem?”I arch a brow, though I don’t move away.My voice dips a little—just enough to let her feel it.
She tilts her head, considering.“Not unless you expect me to pretend it doesn’t turn me on.”
My breath catches, just a beat, and I have to ground myself with a hand on her waist.She’s warm and soft beneath my palm, and the air between us tightens in a way that has nothing to do with the hour.
“I hope you two fixed your problems,” she adds, quieter now, the teasing ebbing into something tangible.“And not just fucked them away.”
“It was a little of both,” I admit.No point pretending otherwise.“Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither was the fucking mess that’s going on between me and Mal.”
She nods slowly, the edge of a smile still touching her mouth.“That’s a good start.”
“You know what else would be a good start?”I murmur, letting my fingers slide just slightly—up her back, down her spine, light but purposeful.Just enough to make her exhale on a hitched breath.
She shakes her head, biting her lip like she’s trying not to smile too wide.
“Come on,” I coax, brushing my nose against her jaw.“We could go across the street to my place.You and me.Maybe do some ...healing of our own.”
That earns me a full laugh.The kind that makes her shoulders shake and her eyes flash like she’s way too awake for this hour.
“I’ll take that invitation another day,” she says, still laughing.“Go to sleep, Cass.”
I lean in, mouth brushing her ear, voice low and unapologetically wicked.“I’m holding you to that, Lilah.”
Then I kiss her one last time—slow, teasing, like a promise I fully intend to keep.
And as I walk backward toward the bar, watching her open the door to The Honey Drop, I know I’m already counting down the minutes to that “another day.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Cass: It’s been a day and I don’t think I can find time to meet either one of you.Are we sure we need to keep this under wraps?
Mal: Mostly for your safety.
Lilah: I don’t want Mom to be on my case.Although it is fun to see her wonder which one I’m going to choose.I should tell her that I’m not interested in either one of you.Add a third one to the mix.
Mal: You want to add a third person?
Lilah: No, just another bachelor to spook my mother.
Cass: Sounds like a lot of trouble.We’ll just pretend that we’re fighting for your hand in marriage.
Lilah: Is there going to be a duel?
Mal: I’m not supposed to look interested in you.Remember, if the stupid syndicate finds out they might do something to you.
