Something about the way he touches me so casually sparks my need for him to life. It's not just a sexual reaction, though there's definitely that too. It's something else. Something that makes my chest tight in a way that should send me running for the hills.
Instead, I'm leaning into it. Into him. Because he’s comfort and safety and protection and home and…
For fuck's sake. When did I start wanting this? Wanting him to touch me like I belong to him? Like he belongs to me?
"No," I admit, leaning back against his chest. "I've spent four years building Cascade from nothing, and this asshole thinks he can just waltz in and tear it all down."
Kasen's arms tighten around me. "We're not going to let that happen."
We.Such a simple word, and yet it undoes me. When did we become awebeyond the biological fact of our son growing inside me?
"The emergency meeting with all the breweries is this afternoon." I turn in his arms, needing to see his face. "Three o'clock at Cascade. We need to present a united front."
His blue eyes hold mine. "We need to talk before that meeting."
"That sounds ominous." I step out of his embrace, my defenses immediately rising. When has the phrasewe need to talkever been a good thing? "Are you backing out? Because if you think I'm going to face Miller alone?—"
"Jesus, Pink. Of course not." He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way I refuse to find adorable right now. "It's the opposite, actually. I have an idea, but I wanted to run it by you first. In private."
"Okay..."
"Let me get coffee first." He moves around the kitchen, grabbing his mug from the cabinet. In just a few weeks, we've developed these little domestic patterns that shouldn't feel so natural, but somehow do. "You want more?" he asks, gesturing to my half-empty cup.
"I'm good."
He takes his time, and I know he's gathering his thoughts. Whatever this is, it's important enough that he's actually planning his words instead of bulldozing ahead like he usually does.
"Just spit it out, Kasen," I say finally, unable to take the suspense. "What's this big idea?"
He takes a deep breath. "I want to give Timber's distribution to Cascade."
I stare at him, sure I heard him wrong or I’m hallucinating. "You what?"
"I want Cascade to handle Timber's distribution. All of it." He meets my eyes, and he doesn’t blink. "Exclusive rights, industry-standard rates, the full lineup."
"But..." I shake my head, trying to process what he's saying. "Your whole business model is direct-to-bar. You've been fighting against distributors like me for years. You've called my business model 'the death of craft beer culture' to my face."
"I know." He has the grace to look slightly remorseful. Like, the tiniest amount. "I was wrong."
Kasen James admitting he was wrong? Maybe I'm still asleep and this is some bizarre pregnancy dream. I want to call him on it, but I swallow down the instinct.
See? I can grow.
"You want to work with me?" I clarify. "Professionally? After everything?"
"Not just work with you. Partner with you." He steps closer, his expression earnest in a way that makes anything left aroundmy heart crumble. "Miller's trying to divide and conquer. The only way we beat him is by joining forces. Completely."
"This is a big deal, Kasen." I cross my arms over my chest, trying to maintain some distance even as my mind races with the possibilities. Timber under Cascade's umbrella would be a massive win, not just financially but in terms of industry clout. And I could get him into so many places he’s not in now. It would be huge for both of us and it’s a smart move. "Timber is your baby. You built it from nothing."
"I know." He closes the distance between us, his hands sliding up my arms. "But that's exactly why I'm doing it. Because I know what Cascade means to you, too."
"I don't understand." And I don't. This doesn't fit with the ruthlessly competitive businessman I've spent years battling.
"It's simple." His fingers trace my cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I trust you. With my business. With our son." His eyes hold mine, filled with something that makes my breath catch. "With everything."
Oh.
Oh.
