Still laughing, Frankie sat up long enough to tousle Gryff’s fur and kiss his fuzzy head before nestling back against Bull’s side. “I love that he sleeps on your bed.”

“I’ll be damned.”

She sighed. “I used to beg for a dog or cat; there were so many that needed homes. As far as Mama was concerned, the only fur in a house should be the kind worn as a cape.”

“I can just see you dragging home some stray and asking to keep it.” Bull cupped her cheek in his palm, grazing his thumb over her skin, and the sympathy in his voice was almost her undoing.

She swallowed. “Anyway, I’m glad you have Gryff and that he gets to be on the bed.”

“There’s a relief.” Bull relaxed, pulling her up and closer.

“However, I really shouldn’t spend the night.” She rubbed her face against his shoulder. “You know how I feel. Morning sex is like friends with benefits. Spending nights, sleeping together leads to relationships and—”

“Sweetheart.” The amusement in his voice stopped her cold.

She eyed him.

“You’re too late. We already have a relationship, no matter how you label it. Making love is just that—whether the sun is up or not.” He stroked her back.

Her breathing stopped as she heard the certainty in his words. He was right. They didn’t fuck; they made love.

“I know you plan to leave at the end of summer,” he said gently. “Let’s be together while we can.”

“Yes.” The word slipped out of her, because there was nowhere else she’d rather be than with him. In his bed with his arms around her, with Gryff’s head resting on her foot.

It felt like a perfect moment of pure contentment and happiness. Like there should be starry skies and haunting violins and…

She blinked. “I thought I was half-dreaming, but that’s a violin. For real.”

Bull chuckled. “For real. Hawk sits on his deck and plays when he’s having trouble sleeping or a bad day. We all…”

With a frown, Frankie braced an arm across his chest so she could lift up and watch Bull in the shadowy light. It must be extremely late if the sun had finally set. “You all…what?”

He sighed. “We all served. Saw action overseas. Ugly shit, Frankie. And we all have the odd nightmare or bad day because of what we saw. And did.”

As her heart went all melty with tenderness, she caressed his face in a futile attempt to soothe. “It’s not fair that being brave and risking your life can mean suffering for it afterward. It should be a one-time mess, then over and done.”

He snorted. “I agree.”