“And how’s that going?” I questioned, as I fully entered the living room area, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

“It was going well until someone added the vinegar a little too soon.”

I glanced up and into the sparkling blue eyes of the love of my life. I grinned when I noticed the frowning expression on his face.

“Dad’s just upset that he didn’t get to pour in the vinegar,” Diego added.

I giggled, covering my mouth. I didn’t know who was more excited about this volcano project—the kids or Carter.

“Yeah, when you two get an A-plus on this thing, I want my props,” Carter retorted, pointing at the kids. “Now go wash up for dinner.”

Diego and Monique went scampering off, down the hall to do as instructed.

“Hey,” he stated, pulling me in, his voice deepening. His lips captured mine before I even had time to respond.

I parted my lips because my body’s reaction was no longer under my control when I was wrapped up in his arms. Carter deepened the kiss, pulling me in closer to his waist. I moaned into his mouth but forced myself to pull back before getting too carried away. I didn’t need two ten-year old’s running in and seeing us, although truth be told, Diego was probably used to such open displays of affection between us by now. My husband wasn’t one to shy away from affection toward me or our children. One of the many things I loved about him.

I lifted my hand to cup his chiseled cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, sugar,” he responded just before pressing another quick kiss to my lips.

I swallowed, staring him in the eyes. “I’d be devastated if something happened to you,” I blurted out. Talking with Patience earlier had me thinking of losing my own spouse.

Raising a blond eyebrow, Carter moved my hand from his cheek to his lips before lowering it. “What brought that about?”

I shrugged. “Just thinking,” I responded, not wanting to give away the conversation Patience and I had. “Your job is already so scary, and given everything that happened—”

“It’s over now.”

I pushed out a heavy breath. “I know, but that was a frightening time for all of us.” I parted my mouth again but didn’t want to say my next thoughts. My husband’s job as a firefighter was terrifying enough even without some homicidal pyromaniac stalking his entire station. Regardless, with that last part out of the way, the reality was, he still ran into fires to save lives. I loved him for it. Hell, we met and eventually fell in love because he’d saved me from a terrible car accident and near explosion. And as much as I wanted to, I wouldn’t ask him to give it up. His job, his need to be in the mix helping others was what made him who he was.

“You know I’m invincible, right?”

I giggled. He’d begun telling me that to reassure me.