But as we clean up the last of the mess in the kitchen, I steal a glance at him while drying the last dish, noticing the way his brows furrow. He’s so close, yet it feels like he’s a million miles away from me. Vic has been quiet. Too quiet.

Something’s on his mind.

And I don’t have to guess what it is because I can feel Syd’s innocent question still lingers between us.

I set the dish down and turn toward him, wiping my hands on a towel. “Vic.”

He doesn’t answer right away. He just looks at me with stormy, conflicted eyes.

I step closer, hesitantly placing a hand on his chest, feeling the unsteady rise and fall beneath my palm. “Do you regret me being here?”

“Of course not, Kerry. I just—” His strong hands find my waist.

“Have doubts?” I cut in before I could stop myself, my voice quieter now, almost afraid of his answer.

He shakes his head, hard and sure. “No. No doubts. I only have fears.”

A shiver rolls through me as his fingers brush over the soft curve of my hip before sliding higher up my ribs, skimming the underside of my breast before finally cupping my face.

I swallow hard, my entire body locked in place. “Fears? What’re you so afraid of?”

His thumb strokes slow, sensual circles against my jaw, and his voice dips low and husky, sending a hot pulse straight between my legs.

“I’m afraid of fucking you one day and falling in love. But I’m also afraid of never fucking you and still falling in love.”

His confession snatches the air from my lungs and sets my entire body on fire. I rise onto my toes and crash my lips against his.

Our kiss is devastating, a crash of need, a wildfire of desperation. Our tongues collide, teeth clash, and lips bruise. We both take and take like we’re starving for each other. He tastes like cinnamon, danger, and addiction, and I can’t get enough of him. His hands grip my waist, strong and commanding, dragging me against him so hard I feel the full thickness of his unrelenting arousal pressing into my stomach.

A guttural groan rumbles from his chest as he lifts me effortlessly onto the counter.

“You have no idea what you’ve started,” he rasps, his breath hot against my lips. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since our kiss. One taste of you is all it took, and now I’m fucking addicted.”

My head tips back as his mouth glides across my neck, sucking, licking, biting his way down, branding me and setting me ablaze.

“Vic,” I moan, clutching his shoulders.

He slides his large hands under my shirt, pushing it up, up until I yank it over my head, revealing my lace bra underneath.