"Always."
"I called the Seattle coordinator today. Told them I'm not taking the job."
I turn to look at her, my heart pounding. "You did?"
"I did. And you know what? It felt good. It felt right."
I set my wine glass down and pull her into my lap. She comes willingly, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"I'm so glad you are staying," I say, my voice rough with emotion.
"Me too."
I kiss her, slow and deep, pouring everything I feel into it. When we finally pull apart, we are both breathing hard.
"Dylan," she whispers. "Take me to bed."
I don't need to be asked twice.
I carry her inside, careful not to wake Maddie, and take her to my room. We undress slowly, taking our time, savoring every moment. And when I finally sink into her, it feels like coming home.
Afterwards, we lie tangled together, her head on my chest, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back.
"I love you," I say into the darkness.
"I love you too," she replies.
And in that moment, everything feels exactly as it should be.
Chapter 10
Piper
I wakeup wrapped in Dylan's arms with sunlight streaming through his bedroom window and the distant sound of Maddie singing in her room down the hall. For a moment, I just lie there, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.
This is what peace feels like.
Not the absence of chaos or fear or uncertainty. But the presence of something solid. Something real. Something worth fighting for.
Dylan stirs beneath me, his hand sliding up my spine in a lazy caress that makes me shiver.
"Morning," he murmurs, his voice still rough with sleep.
"Morning," I reply, tilting my head up to look at him.
His eyes are soft and warm in the morning light, and when he smiles at me, I feel it all the way down to my toes.
"How did you sleep?" he asks.
"Better than I've been in years."
"Good." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "Because I plan on keeping you here for a very long time."
My heart does a stupid flutter. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
"Both," he says, and the certainty in his voice makes my breath catch.
We lie there for a while longer, neither of us wanting to break the spell. But eventually, reality intrudes in the form of Maddie's voice calling from down the hall.
