Page 116 of The Exit Strategy

“That was…efficient.”

She’s breathless, and my inner caveman beats on his chest.

“You started it.” Jesus. Is there anything better than verbally sparring with this woman?

“I literally did not.” She scoffs, but the flush of her cheeks tells a different story.

“You came down here wearing my clothes, Juniper. That’s a policy statement.”

She laughs. Full, throaty, startled. It settles the beast inside because it’s her real laugh. The one she still doesn’t give freely, and it lands in my chest like I was holding space for her happiness.

Then her expression makes one small adjustment. She’s swallowing what she wants to say. Then does it again and again, until I have no idea what comes next.

Unease creeps up my spine like icy fingers against heated skin.

She focuses on a point on the wall across the room. “So, what now?”

Three words carrying the weight of the world.

This is the kind of honesty I’ve been waiting to earn from her.

“Coffee,” I say gently. “Then work. After that, whenever you’re done, we’ll have dinner. I’ll even cook.”

She lifts one sculpted brow. “You’ll cook.”

I nod while she chews on this information.

“Something that isn’t eggs?”

This fucking woman. “Something that isn’t eggs, Junie.”

She narrows her eyes. “Can you do that without poisoning us both?”

I flash all my teeth at her now. “Are you asking me to prove myself to you, baby?”

“No one gets the queen for free, Cole.”

Fuck. Me. She’s magnificent.

“No, no, they don’t, do they? Be in my kitchen at seven.”

“I’m already in your kitchen.”

“Seven p.m., smart-ass, wearing something other than my shirt.”

She rolls her eyes, and I vividly imagine spanking her, knowing immediately that she’d like it.

“That’s a very aggressive dress code for a dinner you’ll most likely burn.”

“Juniper.” Her name vibrates through my ribs.

“Cole.” She could have saidduh, and I would’ve heard the same thing.

We could go back and forth all freaking day.

Instead, I kiss her.

Softer this time. Just the corner of her mouth. It’s the moment she realizes I’m not pulling away from her. I’m not softening the morning into something we never talk about again. I’m not doing everything I’ve always done.