Page 103 of Cautious Love

I nod and kiss her one more time before forcing my body to move off of hers. I run to the bathroom, and my brain struggles to process.

I’m stunned, and a little confused. But I don’t quite know why. All I know is that I love this softer side of her. I want to see it more. She’s not all rough and tumble and mouthy. Even though I like her like that. I can see that soft woman beneath it all, and it screams at everything in me to protect it. Protect her. Give her the space, thesafetyto be that woman.

Climbing back into bed, she rolls into my side, and I tuck a curl behind her ear.

“I know you’re not partial to words, but some would be great about now,” she says.

I huff and grab her hand, kissing her knuckles. “You’ve left me speechless.”

She grins mischievously and wiggles her brow suggestively.

My stomach growls, and I ignore it.

“I heard that,” she mumbles into my chest.

I don’t answer, and she lifts her head. “The last thing I want to do is let the beautiful meal you cooked for us go to waste.”

“Then, let's get some grub.”

We roll out of bed, and I grab my boxers while she reaches for my undershirt and pulls it over her head before flouncing out of the bedroom.

I smile to myself and follow her down the hallway. “Everything is probably cold,” I tell her.

“Good thing microwaves exist,” she says, rounding the island.

I grin down at her and drop a kiss on her mouth before I slide the plate with the steaks into the microwave.

I planned on lighting the candles in the center of my table. Maybe even dancing a little bit. I didn’t have expectations for the night. It’s not my style. But the way she looked at me, thewantpouring from her eyes was too much to ignore.

It’s not much of a question as to where I stand with Shiloh. I think I made that decision a while ago, after I married her.

I told her I’m serious about us, but I’m not sure she feels the same way. Rather, I don’t know if she’s ready to dive into the deep end with me. I don’t half-ass anything. But I recognize patience may be crucial for her, and I’m willing to do the work. I’m willing to earn my wife.

When the steaks are heated, I throw the mashed potatoes in the microwave next while I plate.

She opens the wrong drawer, looking for utensils, and I go to the right side of the oven and open the drawer.

“I was getting there,” she says.

I smile and give her a fork and a knife. “You’re the one who moved them.”

Shiloh rolls her eyes and snatches them from my hands. “Maybe I was looking for something else.”

I snort and grab myself one of each and return next to her as she cuts into the steak. I watch her slip the fork past her lips, and I can’t stop looking at her lips.

“If you keep staring at me like that, our food will get cold again,” she says without looking at me.

I clear my throat and grab us two glasses, and fill them with water. I hand her one and down my own.

“Someone’s thirsty.”

I set my glass on the counter and take a breath. “I’m thirsty for someone, alright.”

Shiloh’s cheeks turn a beautiful rosy pink, and her lips disappear behind her teeth.

The microwave beeps, and I scoop mashed potatoes onto our plates.

“Thank you for making dinner,” she says.