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I pause, quirking a brow. Though I’ve not known Alice that long, I’m almost eighty percent sure she’s joking, but I can’t say for certain.

“No fucking in my room. And please vacuum after. Shifters leave fur everywhere.”

Alice tips her head. “How does one use the vacuum?” The question is more to herself than to me. I laugh and pull her into another hug, kissing the top of her head.

“Use protection,” I say, pulling out the sweater Alice stuffed into my bag and refolding it. I zip the bag closed and sling it over my shoulder.

Luke is waiting at the gate when I arrive at the Morningstar House. It’s still early, the sun rising lazily in the east. Luke waves at me, his smile warm. “Hi, Summer! Connor is still sleeping. We thought you’d like to be the one to wake him.”

I grin at him and step into the house. All the Morningstars are in the living room. Zach and Zane are quietly arguing about something. I could probably figure out what they are up to if I tuned into the conversation, but I do not want to get involved in any of their schemes. Rafe lifts his chin in a quick nod as he sips his coffee, and I quietly sneak upstairs.

Connor is sleeping peacefully in his bed, and I wince when the door creaks a little. He barely stirs at the sound, and I close the door as I creep into his room. I climb into bed with him and kiss his forehead.

“Big guy?”

Connor stirs a little, burying his face into my chest and inhaling me. He’s done this both mornings that we’ve slept together. True to his word, he’s never pushed me or pressured me into staying over, and the two times it has happened, I’ve initiated it. Connor nuzzles against me, humming softly. He suddenly lurches up, his hands gripping my arms to keep me from flying off the bed. His eyes are wide with panic as he searches my face.

“Babe? Are you okay?” He cups my cheeks, looking me over, checking for any visible injury.

I cover his hand on my cheek. “Con, I’m fine.”

He looks around his room, clearly disorientated. “What’s?—”

I smile at him. “I have a surprise.”

He yawns and stretches, relaxing as he realizes I’m all right. “What time is it?”

“A little after six.”

He blinks. “And you’re awake? What’s happened?”

I chuckle lightly. “Nothing! I have a surprise.”

He frowns, searching my face.

“We’re going to Eden for the weekend.”

Connor blinks and then blinks again. “We?”

I nod. “All of us.”

“You’re coming too?” Connor asks, the hope in his voice nearly painful. I nod, and his face breaks out into the most dazzling smile. He lovingly cups my face and kisses me deeply.

I moan, longing to sink into the kiss, and then let him sink into me. But we have somewhere we have to be. “As much as I like that plan, and as fun as it would be, I’m not sure how long we have before?—”

Zach and Zane burst into the room with super soakers, shooting freezing cold water at Connor and me.

“Get up!” Zane yells.

“Mom’s making waffles!” Zach screeches.

I squeal, trying to avoid the icy water and climb out of bed. Connor grabs me around the waist and holds me close. “Blame Summer! She’s being too sexy!”

I laugh. “Connor! Let me go!”

The boys keep shooting at us, and we laugh, rolling in the bed until we both fall on the floor. Connor groans as I land on top of him, pushing all the air out of his lungs.

“You have three minutes,” Zach warns.