Page 18 of Too Sweet

Shit. I should have thought of that.

“K can’t risk injury ahead of the draft.”

Damn. Should have thought of that too.

“Besides,” Decker adds, softer now. “I was hoping maybe this could be our thing.”

My heart floats in my chest. I cuddle up closer, hold my husband a little tighter.

Our thing.

I love the sound of that. Just like I love living life with this man.

Chapter 9

Decker

It’s late when we finally get back to the cabin. My instinct is to head to bed, but there’s a quieter part of me that never wants this night to end. I’ve always done the right thing, made the responsible choice. Tonight, I want to go for what I crave, no holds barred.

“Do you want to warm up together in front of the fire?” I ask as we strip off our outer layers.

Her cheeks are bright pink, flushed from the cold and the exhilaration of skating.

Bending over to remove one boot, I steel myself for disappointment. It’s late. I’m cold and already sore. She must be freezing. Maybe it’s better if we both just call it a night and head to bed.

Her answering smile pierces through my chest with such intensity, I stumble trying to pull off my other boot.

“I would love that.”

After I right myself, I pull my wife into my arms. She yelps when my freezing hands crawl up under the hem of her shirt and splay wide on her low back. I don’t let her go; I just hold her tighter.

“You’re so soft and warm,” I murmur, bowing my head so I can kiss her jaw.

Josephine snickers. “Those are two words I never imagined you would use to describe me, Cap.”

Shaking my head, I lead her over to the couch in front of the fireplace. I’ve never been more grateful to have a remote-controlled setup than I am right now. I snag the remote before we sit, then crank up the flames to the highest setting.

“Come here.”

She complies without hesitation. My girl’s in rare form tonight.

Pulling her into my lap, I brush all her hair to one side, then tuck my chin into the crook of her shoulder.

Josephine emits a full body sigh, relaxing back into me and letting me take more of her weight.

We sit quietly, our gaze focused on the fire as the flames dance before us. Warmth eventually reaches us. Josephine relaxes into my hold even further.

She brushes her hands down my arms, linking her fingers through mine and pulling my arms around her torso.

A wave of emotion washes over me. It’s contentment and joy mixed with anxiety and frustration.

I want it to always be like this with her. I want to have a lifetime of laughter and teasing, cuddling in front of the fire and holding her close.

But I’m a realist. I know this moment—where everything feels easy and perfect and oh so sweet—isn’t something we can hold on to forever.

Life happens. We’ll face challenges and have to overcome obstacles.

It might not always feel like this, but it’s my life’s mission to chase this high and give her this level of peace and contentment as often as possible.