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Is that an option? I wonder as my sore inner muscles protest that we might not survive another round.

“Can I take a raincheck?” I wink at him. “I still need to recover from rounds one and two.”

“Definitely.” He reaches for my hand and brings it to his warm mouth for a kiss. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, baby.”

I reach for my coffee cup and take a big sip of the much-needed caffeine. His smile hits me in all the right places, but then he speaks, and his words catch me off-guard. “I’m going to miss this when I go back to work tomorrow.”

Work. Right. That part of reality is about to crash in again. My smile fades, just a little, and I pretend to focus on the coffee while I try not to be a complete drama queen about it.

“What’s your schedule like?” I ask, attempting casual, though the reminder of him being away is tugging at me.

“Twenty-four-hour shift, then I’m off two days.” He meets my eyes, and I can see the reluctance there, the same hesitation I’m trying to hide.

“So, I have to share you with the fire department?” I tease, nudging him under the table with my foot.

“Believe me, I’d much rather be here with you.” He grins, and my heart skips like a schoolgirl as he changes the subject. “You busy today?”

“Nope,” I answer, not caring that I sound exactly like the desperate girl I am. “I’m free for the whole summer.”

He pushes away from the table and grabs my hand. “Let’s move my stuff into your room.”

The next thing I know, we’re in my room, stuffing my closet with his clothes, laughing and teasing until there’s no doubt that this is where he belongs. It feels amazing to have him here, to know it’s real.