Page 43 of Midnight Ash

He nods.

"That's us, Xander. Like apple and cinnamon," I say.

"Peanut butter and jelly."

"Bread and butter."

"Gin and tonic." He winks.

"Sugar and spice."

"Wine and cheese."

"Spaghetti and meatballs."

"Are you hungry?" he asks.

I chuckle. "Are you thirsty?"

Xander pulls me closer and wraps one of his legs around mine. We're still naked, and I relish in his body heat. My head rests in the crook of his neck, and I can't help kissing his skin where I can reach.

"It really was perfect, Xander. Today was perfect from the moment I opened the door to my cottage and found you on the other side."

"Ash?"

"Yes?" I say, stifling a yawn.

"Will you spend the weekend with me? I'm not ready to let you go."

"Yes. I'd love to."

I don't know if any other words were exchanged because I fell into in the deepest, most relaxing and restoring sleep of the last seven years.

In the blink of an eye it's Sunday morning. Xander is asleep, half on top of me, his heavier body grounding me and keeping me warm.

My body, mind, and soul are torn in two. I want to stay here in Xander's arms forever. I want to be selfish and, for once, be the twenty-six-year-old I am. I want more of the walks we had together yesterday, the warmed-up leftover pizza we shared, the hot cocoa with far too many marshmallows.

But at the same time, I have responsibilities. People who rely on me to put food on their table. Two young half sisters who need all the love I have to give because they didn't get the privilege to grow up with our father like I did.

I reach out for my phone and see a message from Nicki. She's still worried about me, and no amount of reassurance will stop her messages until I see her at the market tomorrow.

"Morning," Xander says, pulling me closer and kissing a trail down my neck.

"Morning," I say, turning my face over for a kiss.

"No," he says, without stopping the kiss.

"No?"

"No, you're not leaving."

I lean back and open my eyes to meet his.

"You wouldn't be keeping me totally against my wishes,butthis is not a fairy tale and my truck won't load herself."

Xander looks into my eyes like he wants to say something, but when he does speak, I suspect it's not what he really wants to say.

"Hmm, how about a hot, dirty shower before breakfast?" he says.