I had to swallow back the painful hope in my throat before I could speak. “It still feels…unreal, I guess. I’m not used to being…loved by someone. I keep waiting to wake up.” Please don’t let this be a dream.

Compassion in her eyes, Kiera shook her head. “Well, get used to it. I’m not going anywhere, Kellan.”

Please let that be true. I won’t survive losing you twice.

My mood lightened over the course of the morning. With Denny far, far away, it was easier to let the past go, let the pain go…let the fear go. Instead of being forefront in my mind, it was once again just an annoying gnat, flying around in the back of my brain, and I could ignore gnats. I’d been doing it my entire life.

In opposition, Kiera’s mood began to sink as school drew closer. She was frowning when she came back into my bedroom after taking a shower, and it was either because she’d forbid me from joining her and she’d missed me, or because she was worrying. About nothing. She was going to be just fine. I was just about to tell her that when she pointed at me to stay put on the pillows. An amused smile lifted my lips as I watched her. It was like she thought I would paw her at every possible instant if I were left to my own devices. And that was kind of true. I’d love to strip that towel off her, lie her down, and taste every inch of her. But…she had somewhere to be. Damn shame.

Disbelief surged through me when she started putting on her bra…under her towel. Seriously? I did have some self-control. “I’ve seen you naked, you know.”

Her skin flushed with color as she turned her back to me. “I know, but you just staring at me like that is…different.”

A snort escaped me. Did she realize how hypocritical that sentence was? She feasted on me at every opportunity. Not that I minded. I liked her eyes on me. Always had.

Kiera peeked over her shoulder to look at me, then proceeded to slip on her underwear…still hiding her body from me under the towel. Raising an eyebrow, I told her, “It’s just skin, Kiera.” Scooting to the edge of the bed, I leaned over and grabbed her leg. Sliding my hand up her smooth skin, I added, “And it’s far too beautiful to keep covered up.”