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I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. “Not this time.” I was smiling as the door opened and I stepped inside. I’d made it all of two feet when I realized there was a huge gift bag on the bed and a cake on the nightstand. “Hey, what’sthat?”
He nudged me in the back. “Go see. I’m only responsible for the gift bag, and I’d forgotten all about it. You check out the bag, I’m all over thiscake.”
I quickly turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Oh, thank you,Drew.”
“You don’t even know what it is yet,” he protested. “Maybe you should check it out first to see if you’re thankful or not.” The way he smiled down at me, I could tell he felt prettyconfident.
“You’re really sneaky,” I murmured as I made my way to the bed. I hiked up the skirt of my dress so I could sit cross-legged on the duvet. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the tissue paper out of the way to reveal the contents, and squealed. Without further hesitation, I yanked out the tote I’d been ogling in the shop. “How did you know I likedit?”
Drew leaned against the wall and smiled lazily. “I watched you. I rather enjoy it. Getting to know you, spending time with you, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a ridiculously long time.” He strolled over to the nightstand, picked up the card and announced, “This is for you.” He chuckled as he sat beside me on the bed. “Looks like Ty made good on the special dessert he promised you.” He grabbed one of the forks from beside the plate on the nightstand. “Cake makes everything better. Want a bite?” I shook my head. “Dammit. You’re stronger than I am. I about forgot I’d promised to keep you away from calories after the wedding cake,” Drew grumbled before he took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Oh, my word, this is insanely good. So, now I’m ready to be brave and we’ll get this talk out of the way.” He set the fork backdown.
For several seconds, I wondered how to start the conversation while I hugged the tote to my chest. This was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given me. He paid attention. He cared. And this made what I had to say all the more painful. “Well, I’ve been thinking about this going back to L.A.bit.”
“Let me interrupt you.” Drew chewed on his cheek for a moment before continuing. “See, I know earlier, I was mostly teasing about not going back to L.A., but now, I’mserious.”
I nodded. “It’s the drug dealer,huh?”
“You heard him, right? As they hauled him away, he kept threatening me. He knows where I live. I either have to move in L.A., or since I’m moving anyway, I could move here.” Drew shrugged, but when I touched him, I felt a slight tremor under myhand.
“I get it. I think it’s a smart decision.” I pursed my lips for a moment. “I’d love to have you around, spend more time together, if youwant.”
His mouth dropped open before he shook his head and recovered enough to speak. “If I want? If? Really, Talia?” He groaned. “My game must be way off. I thought I’d made it incredibly obvious how I felt about you.” Drew took me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes. “I’m crazy about you, Talia. And before you ask, I don’t do this. I’ve never done this, but there’s something about you.” He leaned in and kissed me gently. “I like ustogether.”
My heart raced. “I want this, really Ido…”
Drew flopped back onto the bed. “There’s a ‘but.’Why?”
“Listen, I’m afraid of getting attached to you, afraid of you getting attached to me.” He started to object, but I laid a finger over his lips. “You have to understand, I’m saying this to protect you. My brother texted me earlier, while you were in the bathroom. He confirmed Dominik was being held by ICE. It reminded me that I could be deported. And thenwhat?”
He pulled my hand away from his mouth. “And then I move to Poland. I’m rich. They’ll love me there.” Drewgrinned.
“You’re such an ass. Do you not understand what a gamble this is? How can you ignore the risk?” I felt desperate to make him understand. “Hurting you would kill me,” Iwhispered.
His brows shot up. “You don’t seem to mind hurting menow.”
I frowned and started to open my mouth to explain my rationale, but he pressed his finger to mylips.
* * *
Drew
“My turn,”I murmured as I closed the distance between us. “I understand your fear.” I wrapped my arms around her body and hugged her close for a moment while I waited for her heart to slow. “Calm down, pussy cat.” I reached up and pulled the hair tie out of her bun and let the raven tresses spill down her back before I massaged her head and finger combed her hair. “Better yet?” I rubbed the side of my face againsthers.
“Getting there.” She moaned. “What are you doing to me, Drew? Did you not hear a word Isaid?”
“I’m making you forget the bad stuff. I’m helping you focus on the good stuff.” I laughed quietly in her ear. As I’d hoped, she responded and turned her head for a kiss. Then I slowly tugged down the slider on herzipper.
When she pulled back, Talia narrowed her eyes. “You have a lot more convincing to do before any of this goes muchfurther.
“Okay.” I held up my hands in surrender. “Look, we’re inVegas.”
“I’m aware,” she grumbled. “I’ve lived here as long as I canremember.”
“Great! Then you can show me around.” I chuckled. When she failed to react, I blew out a breath. “Got it. Not funny.” I swallowed and ran a hand down her side. “If there’s anything I’ve learned in the last few months, it’s that life’s a gamble. Everything is a goddamn gamble.” I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. “Life is pure chance and the house always wins. Only this time, I’m clean and sober. I’m feeling better than I have in years. And honestly, I know I have you to thank forthis.”
“Don’t put this on me. It’s you. It has to be you. If it’s not, then it’ll all crumble if something happens.” Her lower liptrembled.
“You’re not getting deported,” Iannounced.
