Page 161 of Kiss Me Like I Didn't Kill You

The kiss is hungry and claiming. His hand slides up, fingers splaying against my spine.

“I missed you,” he murmurs against my lips. “Fuck, how much I missed you.”

His nose brushes along my neck as he breathes me in, his voice rough in my ear. I laugh softly, breathless, when he finally pulls back.

Then he steps behind me, his chin settling on my shoulder, his arms circling my waist as I turn back to the cutting board.

“I love coming home to you like this,” he says against my skin, his voice dark. “Barefoot, hair down, wearing this sexy as hell dress that makes me want to ruin it right here in our kitchen.”

I roll my eyes, smiling. “You say that every time I cook.”

“Because it’s true every time,” he mutters, his lips grazing my shoulder.

I reach for the knife again, but he stops me, his hand covering mine. “Leave it,” he says quietly. “I have a surprise for you.”

I glance at him over my shoulder, suspicious. “A surprise?”

His mouth curves. “Mhmm.” He presses a quick kiss beneath my ear. “Outside.”

Before I can reply, he takes my hand and leads me through the open patio doors.

“Close your eyes,” he says.

“Arlo…”

“Trust me.”

His hands slide gently over my eyes as he comes up behind me, his body close enough that I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my back. He guides me forward, careful, step by step, until my bare feet touch the grass, and then we stop.

“Alright,” he whispers. “Open them.”

I blink.

And then I gasp.

On the grass in front of me, sitting inside a silk lined basket, is a tiny golden retriever puppy, floppy ears, soft fur, and the sweetest pair of eyes I’ve ever seen. The little thing lets out a clumsy bark and stumbles toward us.

My hands fly to my mouth. “Oh my God, Arlo,” I whisper, kneeling down as the puppy tumbles into my arms. “You didn’t—” My voice cracks. “You didn’t.”

He crouches beside me, one hand resting on my back, the other stroking the puppy’s head. “I did,” he says simply, his voice deep and fond. “You deserve everything that makes you smile.”

Tears prick my eyes before I can stop them.

He tilts my chin up, thumb brushing my cheek. “Don’t cry love,” he murmurs, soft but possessive. “This little one’s yours.”

I laugh through the tears, hugging the puppy close as it wriggles happily in my arms. “She’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

“What are we going to call her?” he asks, his lips curving as he watches me.

I glance down at the warm bundle of fur and think for a moment. “Luna,” I say quietly.

He smirks, eyes gleaming. “Fitting. My moon and her little Luna.”

I look up at him, my heart so full it almost hurts. The garden glows around us, the sky blushing into sunset.

My soon to be husband kneels beside me, his hand resting over mine and our new puppy.

Everything I’ve ever wanted, the man I love, the home we built, the quiet life I didn’t think I’d ever have, it’s all here.

And for the first time in years, I can finally say it without fear.

I’m happy.

Truly, entirely, beautifully happy.

The End