Page 67 of Everything We Found

“Yeah. Cammy has an aversion to health food.” He wiggled the cookie bag.

“I saw her eat a grape.”

His mouth pulled up on the side. “Maybe she’s trying.”

Nadia bit into the sandwich and a glob of mayo oozed out the back with a splat on the plate. It should have grossed her out. But she was so hungry she gave it no thought. Fresh bacon and avocado flavors exploded in her mouth. She hadn’t had Wonder Bread since she was a kid and her mom couldn’t afford the healthier options.

Thomas rubbed his hand along his thigh. “I’m sorry how I handled things back there.”

“No warning, Tom. None at all.”

“I should have told you what I was planning.”

“No, you should have discussed it with me. Changing identities, disappearing? It’s not a light decision.”

“You’re right. I guess I’m just used to?—”

“Doing everything on your own?” she interjected. Plucking the bottle from the cup holder, she unscrewed the cap and gulped down the water. “How do you ever expect to have a relationship if you don’t treat your partner equally?” His brows lifted and realizing what she’d said, her neck flushed with heat. “I didn’t mean?—”

“I know what you meant. And I wouldn’t know.”

That gave her pause. “Really?”

“I haven’t been in one long enough or important enough for it to matter.”

His admission felt significant, stroking at her empathy. “There hasn’t been anyone for you?”

“There’s been someone.” His eyes snagged hers.

Her breath caught somewhere between her chest and throat. “Why haven’t you said anything before?”

“Aside from thinking you’ve hated me all this time?”

“I’ve never hated you.” She repeated the admission from earlier.

He looked at the cookie bag in his lap. “I didn’t want to risk losing you completely. I thought if you knew how I felt about you, after everything I’d done, you’d shut me out completely. Just knowing I could call you or text and you’d respond was better than having nothing at all with you.”

He was laying his emotions on the dashboard and she’d tried to use him exactly as he’d stated—like an animal, taking out her anger and frustrations and fears on him. Because she was so scared if she gave him more, he’d take off on her. She’d lose him. “I’m sorry too about what happened… out there.” She tilted her head toward the open field. “I shouldn’t have tried forcing you.”

His eyes flared. “There was no forcing. And I wasn’t rejecting you, Nadia. We’re going to fuck the first chance we get.”

She almost dropped the sandwich on her seat.

“Sorry, that was crass.”

And damn hot, especially when the corner of his mouth edged up. That half smile, his flirty smile, always got her heart pumping. Her mouth slammed shut as a glorious flush of heat unfurled in her.

“I want to make love with you. It’s something I’ve desired for far too long. Will that be all right with you?”

“Right now?”

He smiled. “No, not right now. Soon though. We’ll know when we know.”

She nodded and his grin widened. He was showing her a whole new side of himself. It was sexy, cocky and hot as hell.

“In the meantime… cookie? It’s the sweetest thing I can offer at the moment.” His brows wiggled.

She snagged the bag. “You’re still an asshole.”