“Many times. But only since you’ve been back and we’ve been talking.”

She smiled. “I like that—being your fantasy.”

“I like the real you even better.”

The smile widened. “Thank you.” She tucked herself into my body, her head beneath my chin.

I held her like that for a few minutes, gently stroking her back. It had been a long time since I’d wanted to be this close to someone, since I’d felt this protective and possessive.

“Henry?” Her voice was soft and tentative.

“Yes?”

“So what happens now?”

“Well, first I have to shovel a fuck ton of snow. You probably have to pick up your kids, and I need to go into work at some point.”

“No, I mean . . . what now for us?” She pulled back and looked up at me, her eyes uncertain, her expression concerned. “I didn’t really think about that when I came here last night. Do we pretend this never happened?”

“That’s up to you,” I said. “Your situation is more complicated than mine. You’ve got children to think about.”

She nodded, biting her lip. One of her hands crept up my chest, and her eyes dropped to where her fingertips brushed softly over my skin. “I think it’s too soon to make anything . . . public.”

“I agree.”

She met my eyes again, her expression guileless and sweet. “But I don’t want it to stop.”

“Me neither.”

“Henry, are we crazy?”

“It’s possible.” I kissed her forehead. “But let’s not worry about it for now, okay? We’ve both been through a rough time, and I think we deserve something for ourselves that just feels good. The more we overthink this, the worse we make it for ourselves.”

“Okay.” She started to say something else, then stopped.

“What?” I prompted. “You can say it.”

“I just want us to always be honest with each other. If at some point, things don’t feel right and we need to take a step back, I want us to be able to say it. I don’t want either one of us to be blindsided or hurt.”

“You have my word—I will always be honest with you. I know trust isn’t easy for you right now, but my word is all I can offer.”

“Your word is good enough for me.” She looked relieved and cuddled in closer to my chest once more. “And I promise to always be honest too.”

Holding her that way felt so right, it was hard to imagine either of us wanting to walk away from the feeling. But I wasn’t an idiot—the circumstances were complicated. The timing was rushed. There was a lot at stake.

It was impossible to know what the future would bring, and for now it would just feel good to simply take each day as it came and enjoy one another’s company.

Naked.

As often as possible.

* * *