The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Dallas, hey,” he greeted me with a smile. “I was just going to buzz you and see if you still wanted to have lunch.”

I took a step forward, not wanting the three women sitting in chairs in the waiting room to hear us. Although, I was sure with the attention Dean garnered in any room he occupied, they were straining to hear.

“Do you have time for coffee now?” I asked icily. He frowned at my temperament then nodded quickly, heading down the hall as I followed. He entered a tiny break room that furnished a small table with coffee and closed the door behind us.

“Do you still take it black?” he asked, pouring a cup and holding it out to me.

“No thanks. Look, Dean, I need to know why you are here. Why you came back and why you’re acting so damn …”

“What?” he asked carefully.

“Weird?” I said, uncertain.

“Is that a question, Dallas?” he said, taking a sip of the cup he extended to me and putting his other hand in his pocket. I followed his hand and caught myself eyeing the bulge in his pants. I expelled a harsh breath and averted my eyes, but it was too late. He set the cup down and took a step forward.

“Weird, hmmm,” he said, taking another step forward. “Last time I saw you—”

“We aren’t talking about then,” I snapped.

“Aren’t we?” he stated as he took another step forward.

“You can’t be serious,” I said, taking a step back toward the door.

“Why not? You are the one who said the words,” he said, reaching me as he cupped my chin, trailing his thumb across my cheek and over my lips. I parted them in surprise as he licked his.

“I was twenty and naïve. You can’t hold that against me,” I defended, weakly.

He took another menacing step forward so I was backed against the door. Jesus, even having coffee with him wasn’t safe.

“Your fiancée,” I protested as he inched closer to me, his eyes zeroed in on my lips.

“Is my fiancée no longer, and lives in New York. It was over months ago,” he said, his thumb still stroking my face.

Why hadn’t he told me?

“And so now because you’re here and it’s convenient for you, you think you can just…oh, I don’t know, fuck me up against a door? I’m involved with another man. Get your hands off of me.”

He jumped at my order, an apology coming from him as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sorry, that was a dick move.”

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t surprise me.” I flinched at my own words and in turn apologized to him. “Look, I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to happen. Whatever the hell you are thinking isn’t going to come to fruition.”

We stood studying each other, static heavy in the air, his intent clear. Even though I knew, I asked, “I mean, what are you thinking, Dean? What do you want?” I whispered as his eyes drifted from my lips then to my eyes. He kept his hands in his pockets as he inched forward.

“What you promised me,” he finished before leaning in and capturing my lower lip briefly before pressing his fully against mine. It was instantaneous as my heart lurched in my throat and my senses bottomed out. I clung to his shoulders, bracing myself for his kiss. The minute his soft lips began to explore, I felt every single shockwave imaginable roll through me. I moaned as his tongue slid along my mouth and opened briefly to taste him before I pushed at his chest in protest.

“Don’t you ever do that again!” I said, my voice hoarse, my need for him evident.

“I am the only man that should ever kiss you, Dallas.” I was speechless. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I put my hand behind me on the door, searching for the handle, trying to think of something to say to help my situation. I had let him kiss me. I hadn’t fought hard enough. I had just done to Josh what I said I’d never do.

My vagina spoke first, the greedy bitch, urging me to give into him. I quickly shut her up by lashing out.

“I nee

d you to respect my relationship. I’ve been with him for a year. This isn’t some fling. He doesn’t deserve this and you…you need to forget about what I said. I was a kid and that was a long time ago.”

“You meant it,” he replied with bite, his determination unwavering. “And if I thought for one second you were truly serious about him, I might respect your relationship. Then again, you belonged to me first.”