Reborn at a cost

na'

screamed a

before it could fi

tals long gone down the drain, but the scent clung anyway, stubborn and sweet. I stood

s go

use I tr

d to see his fa

n he d

ir down, wild curls still damp from the shower. Lipstick the color of

wsagent and a dry cleaner. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Wooden tables. The kind

ved at

already

window, just

Dark sweater. Hair is slightly messy, m

mel latte with a swirl of foam on top. He loo

ace c

trolled CEO from

softer.

he edge of the table. The spo

ia

sounded like a question he

seat opposite hi

early,

are

remembered. No low rumble, no

d the warm mug. Caramel la

remem

atten

le like he didn't know what to do with

w you leaving the hotel from the window. I was still in bed. I took it because-" He stopped, r

udie

k. No a

d spent the night replaying ev

re I live," I

e general area. I guessed the coffee shop o

Perfect temperatur

n h

flowers?"

they mean new beginnings. I thought-" He laughed under his breath

st tig

idea how r

ow w

oice dropping low and teasing-the way I

t, Raphael B

y mouth. Then back up

try

his under the tabl

fro

back-tentative, like h

d. Slow

company's biggest rival. Did yo

ed, ksurprise, then

want to hide it. I just... didn't want tha

"What did you want

ke I was the only

hinking about you since y

ed low in

rous

hisper. "Careful, big guy.

ft. Shy. "I thin

l across the back of

ed in a

. Gentle. Warm. Thumb brushing my kn

"Proper dinner. Not a hotel bar. Not a rushed n

pres

think you can handle

I'd lik

e earnest. A

rmor cracked-j

slowly, letting my nai

urmured. "If

all, hopeful

one buzzed

ed at it

d apologetical

nished. "C

esitated. L

iss you

ed my

ips, but instead he pressed his

e pull

he asked.

at, steadying m

e the d

gri

his coat on and long

m disappear

one b

from

se Corps

to talk about the overnight login from

od wen

e empty chair

offee cup s

ail burned

lds col

until t

oodbye had no idea the noose around my

st

ed my

straight in