Page 353 of Double or Nothing

Nothing frantic.

Nothing performed.

No attempt to turn the moment into something I can dominate.

It is a quiet kiss, steady and certain. I hold him close enough for him to understand that I want him here, but not so tightly that he can’t step away.

He doesn’t.

Bryce’s hand closes around my wrist. His mouth softens against mine, and the breath he releases feels as though he has been holding it for the entire fortnight.

I don’t deepen the kiss.

I don’t need to.

Power doesn’t have to mean taking. Sometimes it means holding something precious without tightening your grip.

When I draw back, Bryce keeps his eyes closed.

“I missed you,” I say.

His fingers tighten around my wrist.

“I missed you, too.”

The honesty doesn’t kill either of us.

Good to know.

I lower my hand and gesture towards the visitor’s chair.

“Sit down before your foot taps through the floor.”

Bryce glances down.

“It isn’t tapping. Not that bad.”

“It is.”

He sits.

I don’t return to my side and take my chair. It would place too much distance between us. Instead, I perch against the edge of the desk, close enough to touch his knee.

“So,” I say. “You resigned.”

“Yes.”

“What did you do?”

He looks offended.

“Why do you assume I did something?”

“Because nobody resigns from Parker Capital on a calm Thursday afternoon after an enjoyable lunch. Certainly not you.”

“It wasn’t enjoyable.”

“Excellent. Tell me everything.”