Page 65 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

I frown.“Excuse you.”

He kisses my knuckles.“Not here.”

“But...”

“If I get inside you in this closet after that bastard rattled you, I will lose what little sense I have left, and I’m not risking rushing you because my dick has feelings.”

I stare at him.Then I burst out laughing.

His mouth twitches.“It’s a very emotional dick.”

“I noticed.”

“Also, deeply attached.”

“To me?”I ask sweetly.

His gaze softens.“Every part of me is attached to you.”

The laughter dies in my throat.I slide my arms around his neck and hold him.Not because I’m falling apart this time, but because I can, and because he lets me.Because he holds me back like he understands the difference.

Outside the office, Maisie knocks once.“I hate to interrupt whatever health violation is happening in there, but Mrs.Bell is threatening to organize a protective mob, and Mr.Phelps says he has a shovel.”

Daniel sighs.I press my forehead to his chest.“My customers are feral.”

“I like them.”

“You would.”

Maisie knocks again.“Also, I’m pretending I didn’t hear the desk move, but only because I want a raise.”

“I’m firing everyone,” I yell.

“Sure, babe,” she sasses before I hear her walk away.

Daniel laughs into my hair.And despite Cole, despite Rowan, despite the old pain clawing at the edges of my morning, I smile.Because the past came into my bakery today.

And for the first time, I did not let it take anything from me.