“Okay, I’m listening.” Bringing the champagne flute to my lips, I take a swig of the mimosa while my stomach twists and turns into painful knots, wondering if this is where he ends it all before we even have a chance at our beginning.

“First, I want to preface this by saying I appreciate greatly everything you told me. None of that could’ve been easy, and I appreciate it.”

It’s his turn to take a drink. The three seconds it takes him to sip and swallow before he speaks again feels like an eternity. I drop my hands from the table into my lap to keep the tremor in them from being obvious. He doesn’t need to see how terrified I am of what he’s about to say next.

His eyes avert for half a second before they lock back on me. “That being said, I’m gonna need some time, Stone. This isn’t me saying no. This isn’t me turning away and saying never. But I need time. And I need it away from you, because when you’re in the picture, I can’t fucking think straight. My brain turns to mush when you’re around, and all I can think about is when I can get my hands on you again.”

“Really?” I smirk, cutting him off. “Right now?”

“Yes, you smug bastard.” He laughs. “Even right now. I know I’m not the only one who can feel the magnetic pull we have with one another, and I’ll never be able to think and make a clear decision if you’re working your sexy, older man voodoo shit.”

This pulls a full belly laugh from me. Head thrown back and all. “Sexy, older man, voodoo shit?!”

“Shut up.” His cheeks pinken as he shovels a hefty bite of pancakes into his mouth, narrowing his eyes because I’m still laughing.

I run my hand down over my mouth to try to hide my smile, but if the way his eyes narrow at me is any indication, I’m not fooling anyone. “Okay, okay. Sorry. Continue. I will turn off my voodoo shit.”

“I just need space. That’s all. Doesn’t mean we’re going to pretend to be strangers if we see each other at work, but I can’t have you coming over to my house. Not yet. As much as I enjoyed last night… and this morning. Okay?”

I won’t lie, it does sting, but I can respect it. And I do understand it, even if it sucks.

“Okay. I get it and I can respect your space. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to talk.”