I stretched in bed, not ready to break the moment yet. I wasn’t ready to leave the warmth of Selene’s sheets or the way her body had curled toward mine during the night, like she couldn’t help it even in sleep.
She stirred again, lashes fluttering as her eyes blinked open. For a second she looked disoriented—then her gaze landed on me, and a slow smile spread across her face.
“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.
Jesus Christ. I could feel it all over again—how she’d looked last night pressed against the Lantern’s wall, how she’d tasted when I kissed her like I couldn’t stop myself.
“Hey.” My voice came out lower than I meant, rough around the edges.
She propped herself on an elbow, the sheets pooling at her waist. “You’re staring.”
“Can you blame me?” I said honestly, not bothering to hide the heat in my eyes as I brushed a rogue strand of hair from her face.
Color rose in her cheeks as she reached for the cup of water waiting on her nightstand. She must’ve gotten up while I was still dead to the world.
Winnie’s laugh carried again, louder this time.
Selene’s smile softened as she glanced toward the door. “We probably don’t need to ... explain anything to her. At least not yet.”
I hesitated. “Are you sure? She’s a smart kid.”
“She is,” Selene agreed, tucking her legs beneath her as she sat up. “But she’s also five. All she needs to know right now is that we’re here.” Her blush deepened as she glanced away. “And happy.”
I nodded, but something tightened in my chest.
Here. Happy.
It was strange howhereonly ever meant her side of the duplex. Her walls. Her bed. Her life.
I tried to shove the thought down before it took root.
“You’re right,” I said, forcing a smile. “No need to overcomplicate things.”
“Exactly.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I pushed myself upright and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, dragging a hand through my hair. “Come on. Let’s get some fresh coffee before your little tyrant finds us.” I stood and tugged on yesterday’s jeans. “You know she’s probably been plotting our downfall since sunrise.”
Selene gave a soft laugh. “She’d make a terrifying general.”
I laughed and agreed, offering a hand to help her out of bed.
Downstairs, the house felt still in that early-morning way—light filtering through gauzy curtains, the faint creak of old floorboards under our feet. Selene leaned against the kitchen counter, arms folded loosely across her chest as I found the coffee tin and started measuring out the grounds.
Nothing was in a rush.
The rhythm of it felt ... good. Familiar in a way that had nothing to do with routine and everything to do with herstanding there in my shirt, smiling like I was right where I belonged.
I sure could get used to this.
The thought came fast and sharp, leaving a hollow ache in its wake. I had never truly belonged anywhere. Being the by-product of an affair meant that I was relegated to the fringes. I had lived less than ten miles from my father and half brother but wasn’t allowed to know them. Instead of drowning in those feelings, charm and humor became the armor to make sure no one could get close enough to poke at those old wounds.
Maybe deep down I had always wanted to matter. Not just to exist, but tobelong. The realization made it hard to breathe.
I hit the brew button and leaned against the counter beside her as I steadied myself. My hand brushing hers just because I could.
“You’re quiet,” she said.
I shook my head, smiling down at her. “I’m just thinking.”
