We both glanced to the back seat. Bella was sound asleep, her head on her paws, her breathing soft and even. “Let’s see if she needs a bathroom break.”
After Bella took care of business, we got her settled inside, and she curled up in her bed with a contented sigh.
Kincaid’s eyes found mine, and he reached for my hand. “I missed you.”
When he pulled me into his arms, I felt like I was coming home. This connection between us, it was just for us. It felt real and true. No matter what, I knew this feeling would buoy me through the hard days when they came, just as I hoped it would for him.
“I don’t mean for this to be all about sex,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear before we leaned back to look at each other.
A giggle slipped out. “I don’t mean for it to be either, but I missed you. A lot.”
His chuckle rumbled through me, the sound low and delicious. I reached for his hand again, leading him upstairs. A little while later, when I sank down over him, sheathing him inside my channel and locked in the heat of his dark gaze, everything felt just right.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kincaid
My awareness filtered in slowly. It was hazy at first as I cataloged the sensations around me. The feel of Tori, warm and soft, curled against me. The sound of her steady breathing. And, of course, Bella’s familiar snoring from the floor nearby.
My lips curled into a smile as I slowly opened my eyes. All was well, and all felt right with the world. I took a quiet, deep breath, not wanting to wake Tori. My fingers sifted through her hair. My thoughts drifted lazily to the evening before.
I felt it when she stirred awake—a soft hum of awareness buzzing between us. Her lips moved against the curve of my shoulder, where her head was tucked. “Good morning,” she said.
I chuckled. “Good morning.”
Before we could say another word, the sound of Bella’s paws clicking on the hardwood floor reached us. Tori giggled. “Bella’s awake. No talking allowed if you don’t want her to know we’re up.”
“Hey, you’re the one who talked first,” I teased.
She lifted her head and smiled at me. Just like that, my heart flipped in my chest. The poignancy of the moment hit me hard—how simple it was, how good it felt waking up beside Tori. Knowing we’d take Bella out together. Realizing we had this ordinary, beautiful life starting to take shape between us.
I leaned close and kissed her, slow and fierce. “Let’s take Bella out.”
A few minutes later, we walked out into the cool morning. The air was damp and earthy, the breeze soft and quiet. A nearby owl called out from the trees, early or late to the owl, depending on how you looked at it. Bella happily did her business before trotting back to us, her tail wagging as she circled around our legs.
Tori’s gaze shifted toward her car. “When should we jumpstart my car?”
I shrugged. “Whenever you want.”
“Now works,” she said quickly. “You don’t mind?” she added, her brows arching up as she looked up at me.
“Of course not.”
Moments later, I’d pulled my truck up close to her little hatchback. We hooked up the cables and got her battery started. She bounced on her toes and kissed me on the cheek.
“That’s all I get for jumpstarting your car?” I teased.
She shrugged, grinning. “I’m just grateful. Also, thank you again for the ride to the vet clinic last night.”
“No need to thank me. You probably need a new battery,” I pointed out.
“Yeah. I probably do. But that’s a problem for another day.”
“We can take care of it today. Either way, you should do a little drive today to give your battery some run time.”
“I should?”
“Yeah.”
