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Beautiful.

Furious.

And she’s making me want things I have no business wanting.

“Mr. Damian Leeds? You’re awfully formal for a woman I saw naked an hour ago.”

Her cheeks flush.

“Mostly naked,” she corrects, and crosses her arms over her chest.

My entire body tightens.

Mostly.

My gaze betrays me, sliding down the length of her.

She catches me.

Of course she does.

Her lips curve into a slow, smug smile.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m still reopening.”

“For fuck’s sake.”

“Two weeks from today.”

“Belinda—”

“Halloween weekend.” She points one finger at my chest. “Bell’s Books, Bed & Breakfast will officially be open for business.”

“Over my dead body.”

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Her smile disappears. And my stomach drops. Because that isn't a figure of speech.

Not for me.

Not anymore.

Something in her expression softens.

“Damian?”

Fuck. I step back.

“Go home, Belinda.”

“Are you⁠—”

“Go. Back. Home.”

Her eyes flash.

There.

Anger is better.