The morning after the blowup with Ashton, Kate’s eyes were gritty from crying. As Reid came out of the bathroom with a tie hanging loosely around the collar of his crisp white shirt, Kate lay in bed still feeling sick over the horrific scene.

“I wish you didn’t have to work today.” Even though it was Saturday, he was due in the city for an important meeting with potential investors in his next Nashville development.

“I’m hardly in the mood for this today. I’d cancel it if I could, but they’re coming in from out of state.”

“Can you give me fifteen minutes?” She got out of bed. “I want to hitch a ride into town with you so I can do a few things at home.”

He stood in front of the mirror to knot his tie. “Sure, baby, take your time. My meeting isn’t until ten.”

She walked over to him, massaged his shoulders, and rested her face against his back. “Did you sleep at all?” she asked, wrapping her arms around him.

He reached down for her hands. “Not really.”

“Are you going to try to see Ashton today?”

“He needs a day or two to cool off.”

“What if he doesn’t cool off?”

“He will. We’ve never had any problems between us. This’ll blow over.”

“Maybe we should take a break for a while until he gets used to the idea.” Kate’s stomach knotted with anxiety at the very thought of being without Reid, even temporarily.

He turned to her. “No. We have to stay strong together, or what’s the point? We’re out on a limb here. We have been since day one. I don’t want to be out there alone.”

Kate wound her arms around his neck to draw him down to her. “You’re not. We’re in this together. If you were all I ever had, you’d be enough. That’s how much I love you.”

“Me, too,” he said, kissing her as he ran his hands down her ribs.

When he cupped her bottom to lift her to him, she tugged at his tie. “You said you have until ten?” she asked with a sly grin.

“Uh-huh.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she dodged him. Groaning, he said, “What are you up to?”

“Put me down.”

He let her slide slowly down the front of him.

With her eyes fixed on his, she unbuckled his belt.

“Kate…”

She freed his erection and urged him down onto the bed and knelt before him. Closing her hand around his throbbing shaft and running her tongue over the tip, she smiled at the groan that rumbled through him.

He reached for her. “Baby, come here.”

“In a minute.” She slid her tongue over the hard length of him before she took him deep into her mouth the way he liked it.

“Oh, God, Kate.” He sighed. “God.”