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His footsteps stopped in front of her.

She looked up — and took an instinctive half-step back. As inexperienced as she was, there was no mistaking the look on Cal Meridian’s face as his eyes moved over her.

Surprise, at first. Then raw, open desire — so strong it made her freshly waxed mound throb and her knees feel weak. But beneath that… something deeper. Something bigger. Something that made her heart stutter.

“Princess…” he said, voice low and rough, like a warm caress wrapping around her body and her heart all at once.

A hot pulse of need throbbed between her legs at the nickname. The way he said it carried everything — hunger, reverence, tenderness. It lacked nothing.

Oh fuck me… how does he do that? I am so in love.

Bear stepped closer. Sage looked up at all of him and might have actually wiped her mouth without thinking.

Okay, okay… get it together, Sage. Act normal.

“You…”

She stood still as his gaze traveled slowly from her black high-heeled boots, up her thick thighs wrapped in the soft black dress, over the curve of her stomach, and across her full breasts — which she was suddenly very proud of — before settling on her face and locking his eyes with hers.

“You…” Cal’s voice caught. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself, then looked at her again. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wish I was better with words. You look…”

Sage wanted to speak, but her heart was singing something she’d never dared let herself hear before. His eyes held her completely.

Cal glanced away for a second, his deep voice low and full of quiet reverence. “honey… in my life I’ve seen sunrises and sunsets that would stop your heart. Mountains that make you feel small in the best way. Oceans that raged so hard they humbled you down to nothing…”

He looked back at her, those intense eyes shining.

Sage brought a hand to her mouth, blinking quickly.

Oh, Cal…

“…but sweetheart, none of that compares to you. Not even close. I hope you know that. Always.”

And then she was in his arms.

He held her gently, the way he always did, but she could feel the delicious tension running through him — that tightly leashed power, the deep, hungry restraint that came from her. From wanting her this badly.

“Cal…” she whispered, hugging him back fiercely, pressing her face into his broad chest.

They stayed like that for what felt like forever, wrapped in each other while the world waited outside. Finally, Mary Sue’s warm voice broke the moment with soft amusement.

“Okay, kids… You’re gonna be late for your date.”

Sage laughed, a little watery, as Cal set her down gently. “I still don’t even know where we’re going. Is there some fancy restaurant in Blackthorn I don’t know about?”

Cal took another long look at her, the kind that made her shiver all over, then smiled — slow and warm. “Something like that.”

He leaned in and kissed Mary Sue on the cheek. “Love you, Mama.”

Mary Sue nodded, turning away quickly, but Sage caught the bright sheen in her eyes and the soft smile she tried to hide.

Cal greeted Tommy and the kids next, crouching down to their level with that natural ease of his. Brittany stared at him with open hero worship, and even Annie wasn’t much better. Sage watched them, heart full, thinking again how wonderful he was with children.

After a few more goodbyes, Cal took her hand — big, warm, and steady — and led her outside. The cold night air kissed her skin as they stepped out of the diner. Sage glanced around the parking lot.

“Cal? How did you get here anyway? I didn’t see your⁠—”

She stopped.