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My new idea was going to be for her anyway.
“We should go back,” I say and whistle for Murphy, who comes running and immediately heads for the trail.
“He’s well trained.”
“This is routine for us.”
We start up the hill, and I notice Anastasia’s breathing is more labored. But we’re going uphill, and that’s to be expected.
“Are you okay, darling?”
“Fine,” she says, gasping. “I should work out more.”
We climb a few more steps, and then she stops and turns away from me.
“Inhaler.” Gasp. “Please.”
I pull it out of my pocket and pass it over. She shakes it and pumps it once into her mouth, breathing in deeply. She waits a few seconds and then repeats the motion before turning back to me.
“Sorry.”
“For?”
She shrugs. “This, I guess.”
“Should we talk about this?”
“No.” Her eyes flash as she takes off back up the hill. She doesn’t stop again until we reach the top. She’s not having difficulty breathing anymore.
“I think we may need to have a short discussion, Anastasia.”
“Nope,” she says again and won’t look me in the eyes. “I’m fine now.”
I sigh and take her hand, lift it to my lips, and kiss her fingers. “I’ll drop it then. For now.”* * *“When can I see you again?” I pull into the parking space in front of Anastasia’s store and turn to her.
“I have cakes on tap tonight and tomorrow, but then I can take a break for a day or so.”
“Excellent. I’ll walk you in.”
She waits as I circle the car to open her door. Once she’s standing, I pin her against the car, pressing into her.
“I don’t think I’m ready to say goodbye,” I murmur against her soft lips. “I’ve been spoiled having you all to myself for twenty-four hours.”
She smiles. “You can come up for a while. I’ll make you dinner if you want. The cakes will wait.”
“I don’t think I could turn it down if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.” I linger, nibbling at her, breathing her in. “Have I told you today how beautiful you are, Anastasia?”
“Only like three times.” But the satisfaction in her blue eyes tells me she never tires of hearing it.
And I’ll never tire of telling her.
“Not enough, then.” I kiss her nose—it’s becoming a habit—and then pull away. “Let’s get upstairs then so I can nibble on you in private.”
She laughs and leads me into the building, through a door next to the storefront entrance, and up a flight of stairs to her apartment.
“It seems you’re as much of a workaholic as I am, living where you work.”
“Oh, this is nothing. It used to be that I put in sixty-hour weeks.”
She pauses when she reaches the top step, making me bump into her.
“I called three times.”
Everything in me stills at the sound of a male voice. Anastasia steps ahead, and I follow, getting a view of the man.
“I texted and told you I’d call you later.”
“Who the fuck are you?” the man says, frowning at me.
“On the contrary. I believe the question is, who the feck are you?”
His blue eyes narrow on me. “Is this the glass guy?” he asks Anastasia, pointing at me with his thumb. “I thought you said that was a one-time deal.”
I take a deep breath, calming my building temper.
“Clearly not,” I say.
Anastasia looks back and forth between us and then rolls her eyes. “You know what? I’m going to let you two have it out in private.” She turns to the man. “Don’t be a dick.” And with that, she walks into her apartment and leaves us in the hall to sort this out ourselves.
“I’m Archer.” He reaches out a hand for me to shake. “Montgomery.”
Montgomery.
“Her brother, then.” I take his hand and meet the firm grip with one of my own.
“Older brother,” he confirms, looking me up and down. “And you are?”
“Kane. Kane O’Callaghan.”
“Right. So, let me just say this right now, Kane O’Callaghan. I don’t care how much money you have, or how cool your glass is, or well, anything. I do care about my family. Anastasia is—”
“Anastasia is a grown woman,” I interrupt. “A beautiful, intelligent, talented woman. And with all due respect, Mr. Montgomery, I’m here to tell you that it’s with the utmost care and consideration that I plan to treat your sister.”
“It better be,” he says with a nod. “Do you have sisters, Kane?”
“Aye, two of them. And I’d do anything in my power to keep them safe.”
“Me, too. So you understand what I’m saying then?”
“I understand perfectly.”
I think of Maggie and that idiot Joey, and how I want to strangle that arsehole with my bare hands every time I lay eyes on him. I know exactly what it is to love my sisters, to want only the best for them. To be sure they’re treated with love and kindness.
I have respect for a man who’ll stand up for his family.
