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Waking was different this time. It wasn’t fast and clear. This time, it was warm and hazy and comfortable. Because I wasn’t alone.

As my brain put together where I was and who I was with, I felt the weight of Noah’s arm over my hip. The gentle tickle of his breath on my neck. All the skin and muscle touching me in different places where we were tangled.

I turned my face into the pillow to hide the blush absolutely no one could see. Because I was in bed with Noah Scott. Naked.

The blankets twitched, and I smiled. There was the reason that I’d woken. The kittens had found their way back upstairs. I didn’t think they were big enough to jump up onto the bed, but as kittens could figure out, blankets were climbable.

As I opened my eyes, a ball of orange fluff approached my face. So close that he pressed his nose against my cheek before he lay down, curling against my forearm. Salem was there too, choosing to shove herself up under my chin for morning cuddles instead.

I couldn’t stop the soft laugh that shook me even though I was trying to be quiet. Noah was sleeping, and he deserved every minute of it. He didn’t need to wake for kitten antics.

But the low, rasping sound of his voice made my whole body respond. Viscerally.

“Something about waking up with me funny?” There was a smile in his voice too as his arm tightened around my waist.

“Not in the slightest.” I arched into him on purpose, and he groaned. “The kittens who just found me, though, are very funny.”

Noah’s chuckle vibrated through my chest. “It doesn’t matter where I put them to sleep. If the door is open, they will find me in the morning. Or this morning, you.”

“They’re so cute it’s almost upsetting.”

“I know.”

Slowly, Noah moved the hand that was over my hip, slipping it up the front of my chest until it settled between my breasts and pulled me back until our bodies were flush. He kissed my neck. “Good morning.”

“Morning.”

It didn’t seem real—what we’d done last night. Even though it had been my idea. Noah had been overwhelming and amazing. And waking up like this? I loved this feeling.

Safety.

That’s what it was.

Certainty and safety. Now that I felt it, I was aware of how much uncertainty had been in my life lately. Especially since Brandon had come home. I was glad to have him home, but it was different. I hadn’t felt this at ease in a really long time.

Never in my wildest dreams, in a million years, had I ever thought that someone from the military would be the one to make me feel safe. But Noah did, even while wrestling with his own demons.

“Your mind is going so fast I can hear it,” he whispered.

I turned, moving Salem onto my chest so I could see Noah’s face. “I was just... enjoying this.”

“What?”

My heart stuttered. Why was saying things out loud so difficult sometimes? “Waking up with you.”

Noah smiled. It was like the sun broke over the horizon with that smile, even though it was already up. “It does have certain benefits.” He lowered his lips to my shoulder, kissing along my collarbone.

I wasn’t unaware of the fact that it was the morning, and he was hard. “Too bad we have these little rascals,” I said, petting Salem’s tiny back.

Noah turned his head and reached behind him. “That’s why I keep a stash of these.” He held up a little toy in the shape of a mouse. It was fluffy and furry and Salem perked right up at the sight of it.

“Is there catnip in those?”

“Yes.” He laughed and threw the little toy down the hallway toward the stairs.

Salem launched herself off me, kitten claws digging into my bare skin as she used me as a rocket boost to follow the toy. One more throw and Garfield was running off the bed too, the little thumps of kitten feet running away from us.

“Ow.”