Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“You cooked at the shop all day, and now you’re making pizza at home?” I tease, leaning against the doorframe.
She laughs, brushing back a stray lock of hair. “We closed early, and I was feeling inspired. I want to make something special for us.” She lifts an eyebrow, eyeing my tactical jacket. “Long day?”
I drop the jacket on a nearby chair, stepping forward to rest my hands at her waist. The familiar warmth of her body seeps into me. “Always. We’ve got a new mission—some heiress got snatched. But the team’s on it.” I dip my head, kissing her cheek softly. “I’ll coordinate once they reach the location.”
A flicker of worry passes through her gaze, but she hides it quickly, focusing on the pizza. “Well, at least you’re not charging off into danger this time.”
I chuckle, pressing closer. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the fieldwork to my team tonight. I prefer being here with you.”
She tilts her head, offering me a warm smile that lights up her face. “Good. Because I have mozzarella that’s practically begging to be tasted, and I need a test subject.”
“Oh, I volunteer,” I say, and before she can protest, I lean in, capturing her lips in a lingering kiss. She tastes like fresh basil and the sweetness that’s entirely her. For a moment, the outside world fades—the mission, the kidnappings, the stress. It’s just us, the quiet hum of the oven, and the press of her body against mine.
She sighs happily when we break apart. “Boone,” she whispers, sliding her arms around my neck. “I love you.”
My chest tightens with emotion. I gather her closer, the edge of the countertop digging into my stomach, and kiss her again, deeper this time. My pulse quickens, warmth sparking through my veins. She responds eagerly, her fingers threading into my hair, and I let a soft groan slip free. Even months later, the taste of her still drives me wild.
We break apart only when the oven timer buzzes—an urgent beep that draws a laugh from her throat. She turns, shutting off the timer, and I rest my hands on her hips. “Saved by the bell,” I tease, voice husky.
She winks over her shoulder. “If the pizza burns, you’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
I help sprinkle the last of the cheese and slide the pizza into the oven. Then I take her hand and pull her away from the heat, backing her up against the kitchen island. My heart thrums with desire, the memory of nearly losing her months ago making every moment that much more precious.
Her eyes glow, and she tugs me down for another kiss—this one more heated, our lips parting, breath mingling. My world narrows to the feel of her, the soft moan that escapes when I deepen the kiss, the way her fingers clutch the front of my shirt like she can’t get close enough. I slide my hands under her shirt, palming the bare skin of her waist, and she arches against me.
A faint beep from my phone’s comm app intrudes, and I swallow a frustrated groan. Duty calls, even in the midst of bliss. Aubree must hear it too, because she gives me a regretful smile, cheeks flushed.
“Go,” she murmurs, smoothing her palm over my chest. “I know they need you.”
I press my forehead to hers. “One minute. Then I’m all yours,” I promise, stepping back reluctantly.
She gives me a playful smirk and leans against the counter. I grab my phone, checking the update. Garrett’s text: “In position. Warehouse quiet. No sign of the girl yet.” I exhale, swiftly typing a response: “Stay put. Wait for my signal.”
Setting the phone aside, I turn back to Aubree. She arches a brow. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I say. “They’re starting the recon. I’ll keep an ear open, but for now…” I slip my arms around her again, voice trailing into a low murmur. “Let’s focus on us.”
She leans in, pressing her lips to the corner of my mouth. “That’s exactly what I had in mind.”
The cabin is quiet, save for the ticking of the oven, the soft rush of our breaths. We steal another few minutes of slow, heated kisses, hands roaming, hearts pounding. The intensity of it all leaves me breathless and grateful—grateful that she’s safe, that we’ve built a life together, that we can live like this, free of the fear and danger that nearly tore us apart.
Eventually, the oven timer goes off again, and we disentangle with a shared laugh. She slides the pizza out, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. I snag a piece before it cools, ignoring her mock-scolding about burning my tongue.
As we sit at the tiny kitchen table, side by side, devouring the fresh pizza, I can’t help but look around the cabin—the place that once felt so empty is now brimming with little touches of Aubree: a throw blanket draped on the couch, photos of us pinned on the wall, a row of pizza-related cookbooks on the shelf. My chest warms at the thought of how much has changed in just a few months.