The Sweetest Fix

by Tessa Bailey

“What were you going to do instead of lunch?” he asked. “Honestly? Take a shower hot enough to scald myself and take a depression nap.” His chuckle warmed her ear. “You could do those things with me.” Now it was her turn to laugh. “What, like a nap date? Is that a thing?” “It’s a thing if we make it one.” She thought of her postage stamp-sized bedroom and inwardly cringed. “Where would this nap date take place?” He gave her one of his signature chest rumbles. “My apartment isn’t far from the bakery. It’s clean. By man standards.”

“I don’t know, Reese,” he said, his voice significantly deeper. “If you want to nap, we’ll nap. If you want something else…” His breath rasped in. Out. “I’ll give it to you.”

She was in love with a man. A kind, thoughtful, wonderful, occasionally grouchy man who never left her guessing, never failing to give her a sense of security. Belonging.

A man who made love to her like a million more times wouldn’t be enough.

“Some broke, unemployed girl?” He echoed in disbelief. “Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that, Reese. You’re a hell of a lot more. You’re the girl I love. I love you. You want an audition with my father? Done. I’ll make it happen today. This is nothing like what happened with Tate. I was so damn wrong to say that. You’re the opposite, sweetheart. You’re the exception to every fucking rule, okay?”

“Forever starts tonight.”

“Haven’t I told you every day for the last eight years that you’re my Sweetest Fix of all?”

So cheeeeeeeesy