“ 𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘶, anna . . . you make it awful hard for a man t’behave. “

but she steals the last word with a kiss. remy smiles against her lips, one hand settling at the small of her back as he kisses her just as slowly. when they part, he lingers close enough for his breath to brush hers.

then comes that little challenge, earning a wicked glint in those crimson eyes. “ oh, chère. you oughta know better dan t’challenge a thief. especially one who’s got 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 to prove himself. “

at her mention of stealing something more precious than the moon, his smile turns impossibly tender. “ well, belle, if it’s your heart you’re talkin’ about . . . remy plans on keepin’ dat one 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. “

“ funny thing, anna. remy spent half his life chasin’ things he couldn’t have. “ he leans closer, his voice dropping. “ an’ somehow, de greatest thing he ever found was a woman who 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 him. “

but her confession? 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 catches him off guard. his expression softens, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “ all you ever wanted was me, huh ? “

a low chuckle escapes the cajun, that insufferably handsome grin only growing wider. “ now, chère, don’t go pretendin’ you ain’t a little fond of dat reputation. “

his gaze flicks toward the visor，one brow arching. " what’s de matter，summers ？ scared you might owe remy a drink？ "

remy lifts both hands in mock surrender，that crooked grin never once leaving his face. " 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺？ non，homme. remy calls dat bein' 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 . "

⠀ look who decided t' join de 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯'. coffee or 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 more minutes ? ⠀

he nudges the door open with his staff，glancing back. " think you can behave for 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 minutes ？ "

a low whistle escapes the cajun，a crooked grin spreading as the lock gives way. " few million dollars worth o' trouble，𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦. "

a knowing smirk tugs at his lips，one brow lifting in amusement. " somebody keepin' you up at night，or you really got dat much work t' do？ trust remy，𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘮𝘪. he knows a thing or two 'bout both . . . "

he falls into step beside him，hands tucked comfortably into his coat pockets. those red eyes flicker toward maynard，curiosity getting the better of him. " so，what's got you workin' yourself half t' death ？ "

still，he ain't about t' argue with a man who's already made up his mind. a crooked grin settles across his features. " c'mon，𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦 . coffee's on remy. "

a low chuckle escapes the cajun，his hand giving the younger man's shoulder a friendly pat. " pleasure，maynard. though remy's startin' t' think you need a 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 more dan an espresso. "