T H I R T Y - O N E

Kate stirred in Colton’s arms. He brushed the soft waves from her face, shorter than the rest of her hair and framing her full lashes. Her mouth was ajar, the sheen of her teeth visible as she breathed slowly and steadily. Her fingers curled against his chest, her face trying to nuzzle into the nook of his arm that just seemed to fit her perfectly.

He could tell she was in a deep sleep. Spending every night with her for the last few weeks, he had learned her sleep rhythms, what the different speeds of her breathing meant, just like he knew her favorite foods, the way she liked her coffee in the morning, and the things to do to her body to make her toes curl and her pant his name.

Their relationship was intense. Arguing was a regular occurrence, but it never lasted long. It was usually a product of Colton’s jealousy or Kate’s disapproval of his behavior and it was settled faster than it started. But it was passionate, and he spent the majority of his days striving to make