Page 190 of The Silver Fox Brother

I hand it to her. "Put this on when you're done. I'll have dinner ready by then."

Winter takes the shirt and looks up at me.

"Thank you."

I lean down and kiss her forehead.

"Take your time."

She disappears into the bathroom and I hear the water start running a minute later. I head to the kitchen and start pulling things out of the refrigerator. Steak. Potatoes. Asparagus. Nothing complicated but substantial enough that she'll actually eat.

I season the steaks and get them on the grill pan. While they cook, I chop the potatoes and toss them in olive oil with salt and pepper, then slide them into the oven. The asparagus goes on the stovetop in a separate pan with butter and garlic. Twenty minutes later, everything is plated and sitting on the dining table.

Winter emerges from the bedroom wearing my shirt. It falls to mid-thigh on her, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her hair is damp and pulled back from her face.

She looks beautiful.

"Feel better?" I ask.

"Yeah. Much better."

I pull out a chair for her and she sits down. I take the seat across from her.

We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Winter cuts into her steak and takes a bite, then another. She's actually eating, which is a relief.

"This is really good," she says quietly.

"Thanks."

More silence.

Then I set down my fork and look at her.

"How are you feeling? About everything the doctor said?"

Winter pauses mid-bite. She sets down her knife and fork and looks at me.

"Honestly? I don't know. It's still sinking in."

"What are you thinking?"

She takes a breath. "I'm thinking about how much my life is about to change. How much everything is about to change."

I nod. "It's a lot."

We finish eating without saying much more. When we're done, I stand and gather both of our plates, carrying them to the sink. Winter stays at the table, her hands folded in front of her. I turn on the water and rinse the dishes, then turn back to look at her. She's staring down at the table and I can see her shoulders shaking slightly.

"Winter?"

She looks up and I see tears streaming down her face. I cross the room immediately and pull her chair back, helping her stand. She collapses against my chest and I wrap my arms around her. Winter's hands grip the front of my shirt and she buries her face against me. I hold her tightly, one hand on the back of her head, the other on her lower back.

I cup her face, as I lean forward, kissing her softly. I kiss the tears from her cheeks, tasting the salt of her emotion as I pull her fully into my arms. She melts against me, her body trembling, her hands clutching at my shirt again, as if she’s afraid to let go.

I kiss her repeatedly. Her cheeks, her forehead, the top ofher head. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck, pulling me closer, her lips finding mine again. My hands instinctively slide around her waist, and I scoop her up effortlessly. Her legs wrap around me, holding on as if she can’t bear to let go.

I hold her close, walking us down the hallway toward the bedroom. Every step feels heavy with emotion, the weight of everything between us too great to bear. I’ve never wanted anyone or anything as much as I want her now, and at this moment. It’s overwhelming.

I push the door open, stepping inside the room, and walk her to the bed. Gently, I lower her onto the mattress, laying her back as I hover above her. My hands move to the hem of the shirt, pulling it up and over her head. She lies there, bare before me, her body radiant and perfect, her breasts full and soft, her skin flushed.