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“Barely at all.”

I grin, kissing her jaw. “Didn’t even spare me a thought.”

“Almost forgot your name at one point,” she laughs breathily.

“Really?” I nip at her bottom lip. “Maybe I should make you scream it. So you don’t forget.”

“Does thatactuallywork for you?”

My hand curves along her jaw. “You tell me.”

“I can’t stand you,” she says with no bite.

“Oh, no,” I chuckle. “Youloveme. No take backs. I’m going to be driving you crazy for the rest of your life.”

“Promise?”

Her humor dims just for a second, and I can see it there in her eyes, that lingering uncertainty. I kiss the tip of her nose. “Baby, you’re never getting rid of me.”

God, I love when she smiles. I silently promise to make sure she does it for the rest of our lives.

I’m pulling her closer with every intention of taking her to my room and showing her exactly how much I missed her, but my well-intentioned plans come to a screeching halt when keys rattle at my front door, my mother clamoring inside, her arms laden with shopping bags.

“Hey, honey! I got you a new shower curtain for the guest room. That gray one is just so— Oh.” My mother’s face lights up, a mischievous glint in her eye, as she takes in Dani untangling herself from my arms. “Well, hello.”

“Mrs. Hart,” Dani croaks, pushing me away. “Hi. Sorry. We were just—”

“Oh, don’t apologize, dear,” Mom says. “I remember what kissing is. Dani, are you staying for dinner?” Mom sets her bags down, stepping over and looping her arm through Dani’s. “I was just saying to Ezra this morning that I was in the mood for chicken Alfredo. Ezra makes the best homemade sauce.”

“I…” Dani looks at me expectantly, and I shrug, shooting her a grin that she hesitantly returns before turning it toward my mom. “I’d love to stay for dinner.”

“Good.” Mom pats her hand. “Now you come and tell me all about yourself.”

“Oh…sure.”

Seeing them together causes a swelling sensation in my chest, a peace settling over me that I hadn’t even realized I’d craved until this very second. Like everything I’ll ever need is right here in this room. Knowing that Dani is the reason that my mother will never suffer again only makes it all the more sweet.

Mom steps away to start hunting for something to drink, and I move closer to press a kiss to Dani’s cheek, whispering, “To be continued.”

“If you’re lucky,” she mumbles back.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. She’d just roll her eyes if I told her that I think I already am.

•••

“Shut up,” shehisses, covering my mouth. “Your mother is right down the hall.”

I smile against her neck, sucking at her pulse point after. “You made the noise, Sour Patch.”

“Because you—fuck,” she gasps.

I tilt my hips again, letting my length tease through her slippery heat. “Because I did that?”

“God, you’re infuriating,” she groans as quietly as she can manage.

I capture her mouth, letting my tongue slip inside just as I start to fill her.

“You love me.”