She looked away even though it was stupid. They’d just had sex. But this, it was different. Somehow more intimate. When Danny put his arm around her and tugged her close, she resisted.

Then he said, “Come on, princess. I need a cuddle after sex,” and jeez, how was she supposed to resist that?

Giving up the fight, she cuddled into the warmth of his body.

And had to poke him in the side a few minutes later when his breathing got a little too even. “No sleeping on the floor.”

He moaned and complained, but the two of them got to the bedroom, stripped, cleaned up, and were in bed about to crash when Catie remembered something. “I got you a serious present too.” She took it from the drawer of the bedside table.

Suddenly wide-awake, he sat up, the sheets crumpled at his waist. “Really?”

Feeling oddly shy, she pulled the sheet up over her naked breasts and passed him the box. “Yes. Since we’re not being full-time assholes to each other now.”

Grinning, he ripped at the paper like a little kid. She waited, hoping he’d like it and telling herself it didn’t matter if he didn’t. But it did matter. She’d made a special rush online order for him and paid for overnight shipping because she’d thought the gift would make him happy.

Paper confetti on the blanket, Danny stared at the box. “Wilton cookie cutters.” An awed whisper. “So many shapes.” He began to tear at the plastic that encased the cutters. “I think I can use these to make Linzer cookies.”

“That’s why I got this set. You said once that you didn’t have the right cutters for Linzer cookies.” He’d been muttering about having a special recipe for the beautiful cookies that had a cut out center most often filled with jam.

“Man, look at this!” He held up a cutter in the shape of a crescent moon, then another in the shape of a star. Delight suffused his features. “These are amazing, baby!” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek, then went back to looking through the cutters.

As openly happy as a child with a coveted toy.

It turned her heart to mush.

She loved seeing him so happy, loved knowing she’d put that joy on his face. It was a good feeling. And terrifying. So, so terrifying. Because she believed every word she’d said to Danny: he might have begun to think that they could be forever, but the two of them had barely begun to walk this path.

And Danny’s track record with women was impossible to ignore. He’d soon get bored with her as a lover. It hurt her to think that, but it would be worse if she wasn’t realistic, if she didn’t prepare.