Page 190 of Vicious Temptation

She flashes me one of her blinding smiles and crooks a finger, beckoning me toward her.

I happily oblige my girl.

Calling her that feels far too natural for something that became official less than twelve hours ago. I take her hand and spin her gently. She throws her free arm into the air, giving me an eyeful of ass courtesy of my T-shirt. I laugh as she stumbles into my chest, nearly dropping the fork when she starts laughing too.

“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your record player.”

I kiss the tip of her nose. “Not at all.”

She closes her eyes and smiles. “And I made you breakfast. Huevos rancheros.”

“Smells delicious.”

“It had better be. Estela taught me, and she was very particular about the salsa.”

I grip her waist and lift her onto the kitchen island. “When I woke up and you weren’t there, I thought you’d left. That maybe you’d woken up and regretted last night.”

My thumb traces the curve of her cheek. I’m not used to admitting things like this, but I’ve spent weeks hiding how much she affects me, and I’m tired of pretending.

Remi’s expression softens. “Hey,” she says, reaching for my hand. “I’m here.”

The pressure in my chest finally eases.

“You told me to stay, and I stayed. But not for you. I stayed for me because I wanted to.”

I lean in and kiss her, savoring the lingering sweetness on her lips. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer and pressing me between her legs.

“I also used your body wash.”

“I can tell,” I say with a chuckle, brushing my nose against hers. “You smell like me.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. But I love the way you smell better.” I look at her sitting on my kitchen island in my shirt, barefoot and completely at ease in a space that has only ever belonged to me. “You should leave some things here.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Things?”

“Whatever you need when you stay over. Clothes, a toothbrush, your own body wash.”

Remi laughs. “Braga, we’ve officially been whatever the hell this is for less than twelve hours, and you’re already offering me drawer space?”

“I’m efficient.”

“You’re insane.”

“You established last night that you like crazy.”

She narrows her eyes. “Using my own words against me already?”

“Absolutely.”

Her smile lingers, but her fingers start playing with the hem of my shirt.

“I mean it, chama. I’m not asking you to move in. I just want you to have what you need when you’re here.”

The word “when” comes naturally because I already know I want there to be a next time and another after that.

“How about I think about it, yeah?”