“What?” he asks, one eyebrow raised.
“I just...” I shake my head. “You're not what I expected.”
A slow smile appears.
“That's probably the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me.”
I roll my eyes.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah.”
His thumb brushes across my knuckles.
“I do.”
The room grows quiet.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Outside, the wind rattles softly against the window.
Inside, everything feels warm.
Safe.
For the first time in days, maybe weeks, I don't feel like I'm carrying the whole world on my shoulders.
I just feel... happy.
The realization surprises me.
“Kai?”
“Yeah?”
I look over at him.
Really look.
At the man who's somehow become the brightest part of my day.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
His expression softens.
“I am too, Firecracker.”
“Yeah, but I don’t mean just for this,” I sway, smiling and gesturing between our naked bodies.
Something flickers in his eyes.
Something deep.
Something that makes my heart squeeze.