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A few minutes later, Luke comes out of the bathroo him turn toward me so I can see the tattoo

He denied me out of respect, and I have to do the same for him He’s not ready to show me the tattoo for whatever reason, and I must respect that

He pulls underwear out of a short chest of drawers and a clean white shirt out of his closet He puts them on, and only then, when his aro to work You’re welcome to stay here, Katelyn You’re safe here, and I’ll be back around ry, or there’s a pile of takeout ood, and they deliver quickly because they’re so close”

I bite my lip

He puts on a pair of black pants and then socks and shoes His work attire Then he co my hair out of my face once more

“You ood man,” he says “But you also make it extremely easy”

“What does that mean?”

He smiles, cups my cheek Brushes his lips softly over ht I was a hair’s breadth away fro you the quick fuck of the century But it also means you make me want to be better than that I want to be the bestno when it’s the best thing for someone I care about”

My mouth drops open

He trails his finger over my bottom lip “Freaked you out, huh?”

“No Not at all” I kiss the tip of his finger “I just can’t believe a man like you exists in this city Heck, on this planet”

“I wasn’t always this good,” he says, “but you make me want to be”

“You’re a, Luke”

“You are” He kissesI ask is that if you leave, please text me when you’re safely back at your place” Oneht”

30

Luke

The cold shower didn’t do hts, until—

I see my first table on my shift

It’s thatKatelyn

For a split second, I think about trading tables with Travis, but then I change my mind Keep your enemies closer and all

And anyone who affects Katelyn negatively is definitely my enemy

I stride confidently—or so I hope—toward the table There was a tihtened me I had the confidence of a seasoned criminal

Which makes sense, of course

I’m still me, but I’m aware of my limitations now My shoulder wound aches It always aches when I think about who I used to be It’s ain