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“I thought we’d established that neither of us respects personal space.”

Her fingers moved once against the fabric.

I caught her wrist and held it still. “Careful, mami.”

Charm’s pupils widened. “Is that a boundary?”

“It’s a warning.”

“Those aren’t the same thing.”

“No, they aren’t.”

Dessert arrived before I decided how much trouble that distinction deserved. Charm accepted the chocolate tart, took one bite, and briefly closed her eyes as she tasted it. The reaction tightened my body hard enough to make me shift in my chair.

Her eyes opened. “What?”

“You need to stop doing that.”

“Eating dessert?”

“Making that face.”

“What face?”

“The one currently creating inappropriate thoughts at Cade’s wedding dinner.”

Charm glanced toward my lap without attempting subtlety. “Is that another operational error?”

“You’ve been listening.”

“I always listened.”

History moved beneath the words and reached for something neither of us could touch without destroying the fragile agreement holding tonight together.

Charm didn’t apologize or force the moment open. She cut another piece of tart and held the fork toward me.

“Try it.”

“I don’t want your dessert.”

“You want several things you shouldn’t have.”

“That sounds like a challenge.”

“It’s chocolate, Ryan. Control yourself.”

I wrapped my hand around her wrist and guided the fork toward my mouth. Her breath caught when my lips closed over the bite. I kept my eyes on hers before releasing her.

“Good?” she asked.

“I’ve had better.”

“Liar.”

“You like me dishonest now?”

“I like you trying to provoke me. It means you’re enjoying yourself.”