She looked…younger, softer…
Almost vulnerable.
Brice’s gaze lingered on a small scar on Keena’s shoulder. She wondered what the story was behind it and the many others that Brice had discovered last night. There was something undeniably captivatingabout her. Even in her sleep, she possessed a quiet strength that drew Brice to her.
“Oh, no,” Brice sighed.
The realization hit her. She was in love. Completely, hopelessly in love with Keena. She let out a groan and buried her face against her pillow. It was fast, she knew, but she also always followed her heart and it was telling her that Keena was the one for her. But shifters fell hard and fast when it came to their fated mate. From stories she’d heard, some of them knew from the moment they first scented the other person. Too bad humans didn’t have that same ability to detect the one person that was meant for them. The human divorce rate would be almost non-existent.
She peeked at Keena and saw she hadn’t moved.
She listed off all the reasons in her mind as to why it should be impossible.
They barely knew each other.
Keena barely talked.
She’d only kissed her a few times.
She’s a protector.
She’d granted Brice a few sightings of her smile and laugh.
She knew how to light a fire in under twominutes.
She drinks coffee like she’s offended by flavoring.
She’s gorgeous and had a body to die for.
Her intense gaze made Brice feel as if she was the only woman in the world.
Keena had also brought Brice to orgasm with an ease that should scare her.
“I’m in trouble,” Brice sighed. That list quickly turned into everything that would cause a person to fall in love with someone. Keena stirred slightly beside her and Brice froze.
The enforcer settled again with a sleepy exhale. She was completely unaware that she’d interrupted Brice’s internal debate.
Brice smiled and carefully slipped from the bed, determined to not wake Keena. She was sure the woman barely slept and was probably exhausted—especially after the night they’d had.
She found her robe draped across her bedroom chair and slipped it over her shoulders. She padded her way toward the kitchen. The hardwood floor was cool beneath her feet. She paused in the doorway long enough to glance back at Keena.
She hadn’t moved.
Brice smiled again. She’d let her sleep. It felt good knowing she’d managed to give her peacefulsleep. She continued on and went into the kitchen. She quickly started the coffee brewing before pulling out items to make a quick breakfast. The scent of coffee filled the apartment within minutes.
She hummed softly to herself as she moved around the kitchen. She couldn’t stop smiling. The holiday music floated through her head as she cracked a few eggs in a ceramic bowel and whisked them. Unable to resist, she turned the music back on but kept it low, not wanting to disturb Keena.
She returned to preparing their breakfast. This was how she imagined spending the days leading up to Christmas with a loved one.
Love.
She grinned even harder knowing that she’d fallen in love with Keena.
Sausage sizzled gently in one skillet while water began boiling in another pot. She had a taste for cheesy grits. She wondered how Keena took hers? Buttery or cheesy? Or sugary and buttery? She didn’t want to judge the woman if she chose sugar and butter. To each their own. She shrugged while she removed a tray of biscuits fresh from the oven.
It wasn’t an elaborate breakfast, but it was comforting on this cold December day. The fire in the hearth had burned down. The air in theapartment was slightly chilled. They wouldn’t need to light the fire again since she had to go down and open the shop soon.
She went over to the cabinet and pulled down two mugs when a sensation rippled down her spine. She turned and found a barefoot Keena standing at the edge of the kitchen. She’d thrown on her underwear along with her black tank. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Especially with her sleepy expression and her unrestrained locs. Her amber eyes were locked in on Brice.
