Brett’s heart skipped a beat as she studied his face. God, she’d never seen him look so…free. Was that the right word? Maybe unburdened was more apt. Relaxed. Open. Honest. Whatever adjective she used, they all reflected the same damn thing—something had shifted inside him, and it was written right there in his gorgeous green eyes.
“With that said…I like to fuck and fight and take chances,” AJ said roughly, repeating the same words she’d thrown his way when they’d last spoken. When she’d broken up with him.
“Is that so?” she murmured.
He nodded. “But you know what else I like? Actually, you know what I love?”
“What?”
“You,” he said simply.
Her breath jammed in her lungs.
“I love you, Brett. I love every second I spend with you.” Conviction rang in his voice. “I like who I am when I’m with you, and I think you like who you are when you’re with me.”
He had her there. Being with AJ had taught her things about herself she’d never expected to learn. Like the fact that she could be in a healthy relationship. That she didn’t have to be consumed by a man, that she could have fun without getting wasted and dancing on bar counters. That proving yourself was all the more rewarding when you had someone cheering from the sidelines, someone who was proud of you, someone who believed in you.
AJ was kneeling in front of her now, his warm hands cupping her cheeks. “Give me another chance, Brett. Let me be the man I know I can be.”
“The man you are,” she corrected.
“The man I am,” he echoed. His thumb swept over her bottom lip in a tentative caress. “What do you say?”
She supposed she could have left him hanging. God knew it was always fun tormenting this man.
But her heart was so full of emotion it was dangerously close to overflowing, and the past four days without him had been too agonizing to ever have to endure again.
“You’ve got the job.”
The boyish grin she loved so much made an appearance. “Yeah?”
“Of course.” She rolled her eyes. “I love you, too, idiot. Did you really think I’d say no to that heartfelt speech?”
“The thought occurred to me,” he admitted.
“Then you’re an even bigger idiot.” Laughing, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “Now kiss me before I change my mind.”
As AJ’s lips covered hers, a wave of sheer belonging washed over her. Oh yes, they belonged together, all right. They fit. Not just their mouths and tongues and bodies, but their hearts. She and AJ brought out the best in each other, and as long as he was willing to stop hiding who he truly was, then she was willing to open her heart to him.
They were panting when they pulled apart, foreheads resting together, AJ’s hands gently stroking her hips.
“Makeup sex?” he suggested with a grin.
She grinned back. “Hells yeah.” As his eager hands immediately tugged on her shirt, she quickly spoke again. “Oh, by the way, you should know, I—”
“Son of a bitch.”
His hiss of pleasure cut her off, and she knew he’d glimpsed what she’d been about to reveal.
Brett shivered as his features stretched taut with arousal, as his fingers skimmed up her rib cage so he could toy with the silver hoops on each of her nipples.
“When did you do this?” He growled out the question as he touched the nipple rings.
“The day after I broke up with you.” She gave a sheepish shrug. “I do crazy things, too, when I’m upset. You should know that for future purposes.”
He gave the piercings a little tug, sending a shiver racing up her spine. “Crazy? Nuh-uh, baby. This is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” He licked his lips. “Can I put my mouth on you?”
She reluctantly shook her head. “Not yet. They’re still healing.”
“God.” He growled. “You mean I’m going to be inside you, looking at these sexy fucking things, and I can’t lick them?”
“Nope.”
“Suck them?”
“Nope.”
He cursed loudly.
Brett laughed and ran a reassuring hand over the five-o’clock shadow rising on his jaw. “You can lick and suck other things, if you want.”
“Damn right I will.”
His hands were already reaching for her waistband, and even though Brett’s father had locked up, she still shot a wary glance at the open door, wondering if this was a good idea. This was her shop now. She had to set a good example for the rest of the staff.
Right?
Sensing her uncertainty, AJ chuckled and slipped one talented hand inside her jeans. “Come on, bad girl,” he taunted, green eyes gleaming. “Are you gonna come out and play?”
Her reluctance melted away, replaced by a rush of reckless passion. “For you?” She leaned forward and grasped his zipper. “Always.”
Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Did you ever in a million years think you’d see that?”