Page 106 of Feel It in the Air

“And hitting on me?”

“In the spirit of full disclosure, yes, that is part of my plan.”

That’s all it takes. Any composure I thought I could keep is gone, the need to hold her in my arms and tell her how much I love her taking over.

I reach out, grabbing ahold of her, pulling her into me completely. I engulf her into me, inhaling her sweet scent as she leans in, sinking into me even more.

All is right with the world. We’re exactly where we belong.

I hold her like this for a long moment, losing track of time and space, letting it all fade away. Nothing else matters. She’s back in my arms again.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper into her hair.

“What?” She pulls back and looks up at me, her eyes still glassy, but this time full of the same love I’m feeling. “You don’t owe me an apology. You’re not the one who went into full-on Miss Independent mode, pushing away the man she loves, thinking she was protecting us both. But I wasn’t. I was taking the easy way out.”

“Maybe the easy way is the best way,” I tell her, gently swiping at a tear as it slips down her cheek. “If you want to take Dexter up on his offer, we can.”

“We…” she whispers.

“We,” I repeat, tightening my grip on her. “We’re a team, you and me. Although, I might be a risky proposition right now. Could be unemployed here soon.”

Margeaux giggles, a light shining through her teary eyes. “If ever there was a man who is worth the risk, it’s you, Gus. Personally, professionally, all of it. I love you.”

Fireworks burst around us, those three little words casting a magic spell.

Unable to hold myself back, I yank her into me, lifting her into the air, finding her lips. Her kiss is soft, strong, and so full of everything I need that I immediately give in, losing myself in it. As her arms wind around my neck, I flex my hands against her ass, holding on tighter as her legs wrap around me, caught in a give-and-take that consumes both of us. One that backs up those three little words we gave to each other. One that says everything our words can’t. One that bonds our hearts together.

Wiggling in my arms, she grinds her core against me, and I groan. Then I remember where we are.

“Careful there, pretty girl, we’re in public,” I playfully scold.

“Just making up for all those times I haven’t been able to kiss you since I moved here.”

“Pretty sure that’s my line.”

I deepen the kiss, holding nothing back, then I pull back, lightly holding on to her bottom lip with my teeth for a long second, before finally letting go. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, I smile, watching as her cheeks pinken. That smile is all the love and comfort I need.

I am hers. She is mine. The rest of the world be damned.

“You two done making out in my bar?” Milo hollers, cutting through the moment.

Including my brother. Right now, he can be damned the most.

“Welcome to the Hayes family, pretty girl.”