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We kept our cool composure until our new author friend left the café. As soon as she was out the door, we couldn't hold back any longer and leaped out of our seats, "We did it!" I shouted as I wrapped my arms around him in a hug that he initiated.

People in the cafe shot us a few looks during our celebration; some seemed a bit irritated that we were interrupting their peace, while others appeared either curious or totally unfazed.

"Thank you," He breathed out, relief washing over him as his cold breath brushed my ear. "I honestly don't think I could've pulled it off without you."

We broke the hug, and I had to tilt my head back to catch his eye. He was grinning like crazy, "You handled it pretty well on your own towards the end." I gave him some of the credit. For someone who has no experience in this job, he did good. He knows how to talk to people and peak their interests, that is what sealed the deal in my opinion.

Plus, the cash we put on the table was a bit more than what the competition was offering.

"All that confidence came from your coaching. So thank you." He held my gaze a bit too long, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was replaying last night in his mind. When his eyes wandered to my lips, I knew for sure.

I cleared my throat, "You should call your mom and tell her the good news. I'll get us two coffees to go."

"Remember, I prefer it black," He grinned while taking his phone out of his pocket.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "One day he wants it sweet, the next day he prefers it black," I grumbled under my breath, still irritated by how he swiped my coffee after insisting he didn't like it black. Sure, he was decent today, but I couldn't forget why he gets on my nerves. He's rude, full of himself, thinks he knows everything, and is just plain selfish, only looking out for his own interests and reputation. That pretty much sums it up.

Oh, and he likes to steal peoples parking.

I took care of the drinks order. I went for an iced matcha and got him his coffee just how he likes it—black. If he even hints at wanting something different, I'm ready to dump it on him without a second thought.

As I walked up to him, he was still chatting on the phone. "Yeah, I brought the contract. She signed it," he said. He looked my way and grabbed the coffee I offered him, saying a silent "Thanks" before turning back to his call. "Sure, I'll let her know. I'll call you before the flight. Love you too, bye." He ended the call with a deep sigh.

"Tell me what?" I asked curiously.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and paused to sip his coffee before replying, "She asked me to let you know she's proud of you, and that Fred would be too."

I raised my eyebrows, puzzled. "Wait, you actually gave me credit?" I honestly expected him to claim this victory for himself.

"I took your job from you, it's the least I can do."

Suddenly I felt a little bad for calling him all of those names in my head—key words, a little, "Well, thank you."

"Sure," He said, putting his hand on my back and guiding me out of the café, holding the door open for both of us. "Our flight's not until tonight, so we've got the whole day free. Anything you want to check out?" He took a sip of his coffee and scrunched up his face in disgust. "What did you order?" he asked, tilting his head to get a better look at my cup.

I shot him a glare, wishing my eyes could shoot daggers. "I swear to—"

He laughed lightly and took another sip, this time without making a face. "Relax, I'm just messing with you."

"Real funny," I said, rolling my eyes. After a moment, I added, "How about we hit up the biggest attraction in town?"

"And that would be?" He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

I grinned, already guessing he might not be thrilled about it. I had a feeling he wasn't a fan of heights, especially after how he acted on the flight. He refused to even look out the window. "The Space Needle."

🍼

The sight from the top floor, often called the observation deck, was absolutely stunning. You could take in downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. I had heard so much about this spot and seen plenty of photos, but nothing compared to being here in person.

I turned from the window to glance back at Anakin, "Hey, don't you want to check out the view?" I said with a playful grin.

He stood in the center of the room, away from the windows, "I'm good right here."

I strolled up to him and said, "It's really not that terrible, and check this out," I pointed at the windows, still grinning, "They've got glass to stop you from plummeting six hundred feet to your doom."

He squinted at me, "You did this on purpose, huh? You think this is a joke?"

"Actually, I do," I said with a shrug. After a moment of silence, his gaze wandered back to my lips and then met my eyes again. I raised a finger at him, "Quit staring at me like that." He had done it last night at the bar, again today at the café, and now here we were.

A hint of innocence sparkled in his eyes, "Staring at you like what?" he replied in a low, almost teasing voice. A mischievous grin crept onto his lips—he knows what he's doing.

"Come on, you know exactly what I mean, don't act like you don't, Anakin." I dropped my voice and glanced around to ensure we were alone, "That's the same expression you had last night just before you—" I hesitated. Here I was, bringing up something I had pleaded with him to forget.

"Before I what?" he replied, playing the innocent card again.

I waved my hands in frustration and turned to face the window, trying to distance myself from the topic.

To my irritation, he trailed behind me, "Before I what?" he repeated. He stood right next to me at the window, his gaze fixed on me and never daring to look away, "Because I don't recall ever kicking things off (y/n). You were the one who kissed me, not the other way around."

Flashback

"Well, don't you have something smart to say? Want to kick me down more?"

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as his eyes dropped to my lips.

He glanced back at me with a sly grin, "No, I want you to keep going on about all the things you can't stand about me." He took a slow sip from his drink, his gaze locked on mine.

I chuckled, "Honestly, we'd need forever for that."

He put his glass down and leaned in a bit, our faces almost touching, "Just give me a couple to start with."

I raised an eyebrow, "Is this some sort of weird fetish of yours?"

He chuckled softly, the scent of booze mixed with mint wafting towards me. "I just really enjoy hearing you talk. You're a bit harsh, but honestly, you're hilarious. It's kind of charming, really."

Charming? That's a new one for me.

"Well, it seems like you're only interested in yourself," I shot back, our faces uncomfortably close. Neither of us budged. "You're such a narcissist. I've seen you check yourself out in the mirror at least a dozen times, and don't even get me started on how you admire your reflection in the elevator." My voice dripped with disdain. "You took this job without a clue how to handle it, while I've poured my heart and soul into it." I was hitting my stride now, feeling like I was giving a passionate speech in front of a crowd.

"Go on," he said, propping his elbow on the bar and resting his chin in his hand.

"You say you enjoy black coffee, then turn around and claim you don't, all while swiping mine. You also took my parking spot. Oh, and you read my manuscript without asking and gave me feedback I never wanted or needed, just so you know. You—" For a second, I got lost in those ocean blue eyes of his. They were captivating, and I figured it was just the drinks talking. "You really don't care about how others feel and you—" I gulped, "You are—"

He raised an eyebrow, "I'm what?"

"Beautiful, way too beautiful for words."

His smile widened with interest, "So you think I'm beautiful?" His gaze flickered to my lips again, and I couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind. Maybe it was the same thing I was thinking.

"You've got the face of an angel but the attitude of a little devil." I found myself inching closer to him, it was like an instinct I couldn't fight, "It's so frustrating that someone as good-looking as you can be such a—" I didn't get to finish before I gave in to my nagging thoughts and pressed my lips against his.

Flashback ends

I didn't remember any of that, until now.

I faced him with an embarrassed expression. Here I was blaming him and it turns out that I'm my own worst enemy, "I had a lot to drink." I defended my actions, "I was also going through a lot—"

He raised his hand to stop me, "You don't need to justify your actions to me.You were looking for comfort, and I just happened to be there." Then he grinned, "And trust me, I was more than happy to be there."

"Oh god," I said, facepalming and rubbing my eyes, "I really hate that all this happened, and we agreed it can't happen again."

He stepped a little closer, a playful spark in his eyes, "Not even once more? While we're still in Seattle, I mean. You know how it goes—what happens in Seattle, stays in Seattle."

"First of all, that saying is for Vegas," I said, dropping my hand and giving him a look like he just sprouted a third arm, "And second, you can't be serious."

He shrugged casually, "Are you really saying you haven't thought about it? Hm?" He tilted his head, checking me out, "How fun it was? And hot?"

I let out a heavy sigh, a twinge of betrayal from my own body stirring in my chest, "Anakin, I said no."

A little while later, we found ourselves back at the hotel, in his room, tangled up in his bed again... our clothes scattered on the floor and our bodies wrapped around each other once more.

What happens in Seattle, stays in Seattle.

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I know originally it was going to be a one night stand sorta thing but this just happened to go the way it was going so I said why not? But seriously after this second time it ain't happening again. At least until much later in the story when they fall in love 🤭 that's not a spoiler, that's an obvious fact.