With a gentle gasp, she landed against the solid wall of his chest warm and reassuring. Before she could utter a word, his breath swept over her lips, stealing the space between them.

There was no urgency in the kiss, just a quiet, purposeful press of his mouth against hers tender yet unwavering.

His calloused palm cradled the back of her neck, brushing softly against her skin, sending delicate shivers down her spine.

And then, in a voice that held both gravity and warmth, he looked into her eyes and whispered, Linsey, you re the one person in this world who understands me better than anyone else.

Collin s voice came out low, laced with a lazy huskiness that sent a tremor through Linsey s chest.

Almost instinctively, she bit her lip but before she could apply pressure, Collin gently pressed his thumb against it.

Don t bite, he murmured, then leaned in, brushing his lips softly against hers in a featherlight kiss.

His gaze held a delicate balance of longing and restraint. Drawing in a quiet breath, he whispered, Linsey, I can t tell you how happy I was when you made our relationship public.

He then continued, To be honest, I ve been walking on eggshells lately. I kept wondering whether you truly wanted to get back together with me. But I didn t dare ask. I was afraid that pushing too hard might scare you off, so I held back, waited letting you be the one to decide.

Linsey s heart softened. His words dissolved any trace of doubt in her mind. She looked up, meeting the unguarded vulnerability in his eyes, and asked quietly, Why wait for me to speak first? Why not say what you were feeling?

Collin didn t hesitate. Because if this was just temporary for you, I didn t want to ruin it. I didn t want you to feel pressured or lose interest because I moved too fast.

His honesty struck a chord. Linsey blinked, momentarily speechless. This was Collin the visionary behind CR Corporation and yet, here he was, uncertain, cautious even timid?

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She reached up and cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb across his skin. Did you really think I was playing with your feelings? She paused for a moment, then added, And what exactly made you question how I feel about you?

He didn t answer, but the flicker of self-doubt in his eyes said enough. As she reflected, Linsey realized that in recent days between helping others and juggling a thousand distractions she might have overlooked his emotional needs. Perhaps he had every reason to feel uncertain.

She couldn t help but tease him a little. So, you the founder of CR Corporation didn t have the courage to ask your own partner a simple question?

Collin furrowed his brow, but not in frustration it was more of a boyish, almost endearing confusion. Am I your partner? he asked quietly.

Of course, Linsey replied without hesitation. Whose partner would you be if not mine?

He didn t let up. His eyes locked on hers with quiet intensity. Just a partner?

She laughed, the sound light and full of affection.

Leaning in, she kissed the corner of his mouth, her smile playing in her eyes. So eager to be my husband, are you?

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