"For old time’s sake." She holds up a box of crackers, grinning. "Better than any five-star meal."
I take the basket from her. “Best dinner I ever had.” I pull her close, not caring that we're in the middle of the store. “But then every meal with you is the best one.”
"God, you've gotten sappy,” she replies, but she’s smiling, and raises up on her toes so I’ll lean down to kiss her.
“Wonder why…” I murmur against her lips.
She pulls back, studying my face. "You okay? You seem more…restless than usual."
Shit. And I thought I was hiding my nerves well.
"I'm good." I force myself to relax. "Just thinking about tomorrow."
And the ring I plan to put on her finger as soon as I find the perfect moment to propose.
Her expression brightens. "Your parents are going to love the gift we got them. And Jayce texted that he and Tanya are drivingup tonight—they should already be at Kade and Nia's by now." She pauses, biting her lip. "You're sure this won't be weird?"
"Not weird at all." Jayce called me last month, told me he was bringing someone he met in Quantico that he was serious about, and asked if Piper and I would be okay with it. The fact that he asked—that he cared—meant everything. "He's happy for us. Has been from the start. So we should give him the same support."
She nods as we head to checkout. “I’ve said it before. You’re a great brother, Harlon.”
I smile as we pay and head back out into the snow.
It's coming down heavier now, big fat flakes that stick to Piper's hair like she's wearing diamonds. She catches one on her tongue, and I have to kiss her right there in the middle of the sidewalk.
"What was that for?" she asks when I finally let her up for air.
"Just grateful." I brush snow from her hair. "For you. For this."
She grins and takes my hand. "Come on. I'm freezing, and we have a feast to eat."
But we barely make it through the door.
Piper's climbing me the second it closes, her hands in my coat, my hair, her mouth hot and eager against mine.
"I've been thinking about this all day," she gasps between kisses. "Being back here with you."
I carry her backward toward the bed, peeling off her coat and sweater, revealing her soft skin I still can’t get enough of even after a year. "Have you now?"
"Mmhmm." She yanks at my shirt. "Stop talking and get naked, Ranger Giles."
I laugh—surprised that she can still crack me up—and strip off my shirt. Her hands immediately go to my chest, tracing the muscles.
"I love your body," she murmurs, fingers exploring. "Every part of you."
"Even the grumpy parts?"
"Especially those." She pushes me onto the bed and straddles my hips. "Although you're a lot less grumpy these days."
“All your fault.” I slide my hands up her sides, thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts through her bra. She arches into the touch, and I go ravenous. "Piper?—"
"I need you, too." She reaches back, unhooking her bra and tossing it aside.
We know each other now. I know exactly the kind of touch that makes her gasp and moan. And she knows just where to stroke, to tease, to drive me out of my mind.
She's confident on top of me, taking what she wants, and the sight of her riding me with her head thrown back, breasts bouncing, is enough to make me come ten times over.
"Look at me," I rasp, and her eyes zero in on mine, dark and dilated.
