It’s hungry and passionate, just like everything between us, but… it’s something else too. There’s a vulnerability in it that I’ve only seen in glimpses from her so far. This is the first time I feel like she’s truly letting her walls down with me, like she’s really letting me in. Maybe it’s because of everything we’ve been sharing with each other tonight, but there’s no denying that something is different. Something has shifted.

Then the bartender clears his throat, and I snap out of the dream of her lips to find him standing next to our table.

He grimaces. “Uh, sorry to interrupt the moment. I just wanted to see if you need anything.” He glances at our barely touched food. “Um, refills on the drinks?”

Hannah’s cheeks are that gorgeous pink color again, and although she’s cradling her forehead in one hand, she nods. “Yeah, I’ll take another. Thanks.”

“Me too,” I say.

“You got it.” He nods and collects our empty glasses, and when he’s gone, she finally looks at me again.

“Oh my god,” she moans, but I chuckle and cover her hand with mine. Her eyes snap up, as if even that small touch is enough to send her body’s awareness into overdrive.

Fuck, I know the feeling.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure he’s seen worse in here.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“I’m not sure how to feel about that,” she says, but she’s laughing. “I’m not usually this… forward.”

“I like forward,” I tell her, my gaze steady on hers. “I like knowing exactly what you want.”

She tilts her head, studying me. “You’re not what I expected, Declan.”

“What did you expect?” I ask, genuinely curious.

She shrugs one delicate shoulder. “I don’t know. After that night at the club… I guess I thought you’d be more⁠—”

“Arrogant? Full of myself?” I supply, and she laughs again.

“Maybe a little. Most guys who look like you tend to be.”

“Like me?” I echo, unable to hide my grin.

“You know exactly how gorgeous you are,” she accuses, but there’s no heat behind it. “I bet women throw themselves at you all the time.”

“Maybe,” I concede. “But I’m not interested in ‘women.’ I’m interested in you, hummingbird. Have been since the moment I saw you.”

She ducks her head as the bartender delivers our drinks, but she can’t hide the smile that flits across her face.

We give up the game of truth or dare after that as we nurse our drinks and dig into our food, letting our conversation flow naturally. She’s easy to talk to, and I feel a little rush of satisfaction every time I make her laugh.

When the lights overhead flicker, both of us look up in surprise. I had no idea we’d closed down the bar.