Page 108 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

He shrugs as he drops a kiss to my cheek. “I’m creative, I would have figured it out.”

He steps past me but I’m still stuck on the way he greeted me. On the feel of his warm mouth against my cheek. On how such a simple gesture sets butterflies flapping in my chest. This is how it could be. If we were real. If he stayed. Hell, if he believed in love. This is how it could be.

He turns to give me a wicked smile. “Especially if I knew you were naked. That’s the best incentive to get creative, Xuxuzinho.”

I force a smile but it’s slow to hit my lips. It’s clear he notices. “Everything okay?”

A quick nod of my head is all I can manage. I clear my throat and point to the box on the floor. “Was just getting a little work done.”

“You work too hard.” Monty’s tone is soft. He holds out a hand, beckoning me closer. “You still haven’t told me you missed me.”

“You’re right in front of me,” I say.

He gives me a quick shoulder shrug.

“Getting attached, Montgomery?” I tease, trying to keep the mood light before I say something I might regret. How I miss him when he’s right here, how I’m scared of the day he won’t be.

Three steps and he’s in front of me, his left hand reaching for my hip, his right one for my chin. With a gentle tug, he pulls my gaze to his. “Terribly.”

Any response I have fades from my lips when he presses his mouth to mine.

“Can we try something, Xuxuzinho?” he murmurs against my mouth before diving in for another kiss.

“Sure,” I answer breathlessly.

He pulls back and nods toward the door. “Let’s lock up and go upstairs.”

It takes a few minutes to get everything sorted, but once the door is locked and the lights are turned off, Monty follows me upstairs to my apartment. He doesn’t stop in the living room but guides me into the bedroom. I step inside and he shuts the door behind us.

“Worried someone is going to sneak into my apartment and see us?” I say with a laugh.

Monty doesn’t laugh. Instead, his eyes rove over my body, as if he’s memorizing every inch.

“No, Penelope. But I’d like to show you how much I’ve missed you today.”

My chest warms. “I could get on board with that.”

“Good. Now face the mirror.”

I jolt back. “Huh?”

Monty shifts out of the way and gently moves me until I’m standing in front of the mirror. I try to turn. I don’t need to see what a mess I am from today. I feel sexy when Monty looks at me but my disheveled reflection jars with those feelings.

“Please, baby,” he breathes as he steps behind me, watching me in the reflection. “Do you trust me?

I nod.

“Then let me show you what I see when I look at you. Let me show you all the spots I adore. All the things I miss every time you hide yourself from me.”

A whimper slips out of my throat. I don’t know if I can handle this. My heart pounds when Monty steps just a bit closer and places his hands on my shoulders, tugging at my cardigan.

“May I?” he murmurs.

I’m wearing a pair of pajama shorts I’d thrown on when I got back from the hair salon along with a simple tank and a long, cranberry cardigan.

“Y-yes,” I stutter out.

He tugs the cardigan off and tosses it toward the bed.