Page 88 of Charm

I spot Greer immediately as soon as I’m inside. Her hand jumps in the air to greet me, but the smile on her face is what I can’t take my eyes off of.

I was surprised when she texted me asking if I could spare a few minutes for a coffee. I was out of my office and in the elevator before I texted her back that I was all in.

I go in for a hug when I’m close enough to make it look natural.

There’s absolutely no resistance from her. In fact, she doubles down by kissing me lightly on the cheek. I pull back far enough to look into her eyes.

“If there weren’t so many people here, I’d kiss you,” I whisper.

“Do it,” she challenges.

Without any hesitation, I cup a hand behind her neck, tilt her head ever so slightly, and claim her mouth in a kiss that leaves no question about how desperately I want her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Greer

That kiss was justwhat I needed.

I left a meeting that didn’t go as planned right before I walked into this coffee shop around the corner from Holden’s office. I saw it as an opportunity to steal a few minutes alone with him. Fortunately, he viewed it through the same lens when I texted to ask him to meet me.

I breathe in a mouthful of air as he watches me intently. “What’s going on, Greer?”

“You’re the best kisser I’ve ever known.”

A smile parts his lips. “I’ll own that title with pride. I’m working toward being the best of everything in your life.”

He already is. He’s proven he respects me in a way my ex-husband never did. Holden gracefully bowed out when I told him I wouldn’t approve a sale between Krista and Carden. He honored my decision.

I chew on the corner of my bottom lip. “You are already the best at a lot of things.”

“That involve my mouth?” he whispers. “If there weren’t so many people here, I’d go down on you.”

Laughing, I slap the center of his chest playfully. “That only works with kissing, not with oral.”

“Stop by my apartment later and I’ll satisfy both of our cravings.”

Considering it, I sigh. “It would need to be after Olive goes to bed. Bruce and Martha love reading her bedtime stories, but I prefer to do it.”

He nods. “Of course. Are Bruce and Martha your nannies?”

I shake my head. “They’re my ex’s parents.”

I’m not surprised when he steps back an inch or two. “Oh.”

It’s the reaction I was anticipating. I want to explain more, but dumping my sordid past on him while we stand in line waiting to order coffee isn’t how I saw this unfolding.

“I want to share more about all of that,” I tell him while gazing into his eyes.

He adjusts his glasses slightly. “I really want to know more about that.”

I tug on his tie to straighten it. “Tonight? We can talk about it a bit when I come to your apartment. I don’t have to rush home, so if you want to take your time kissing me goodnight after we talk, I’m all for that.”

It’s a roundabout way of expressing my hope that after I tell him about my ex and what happened between us, he won’t want to end things.

“I’m all for that, too.” He lightly brushes his lips over my jaw for a kiss. “Come by whenever you’re ready, Greer. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Hey, Holden!” A man’s voice calls over the noise in the coffee shop. “There you are!”