Page 100 of His Surrender

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you.”

I laugh softly. “You clean up well.”

“So do you.”

I glance down at the oversize shirt I’m wearing and raise an eyebrow. “I’m wearing your shirt.”

“Exactly.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. He closes the distance between us before I can think of a reply.

Without a word, he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes searching mine with an ease that wasn’t there just days ago.

Then he leans down and kisses me.

It’s slow. Unhurried. The kind of kiss that feels less like a question and more like a promise.

When he finally pulls away, he rests his forehead lightly against mine.

“I’ll see you when I get home.”

Something inside me settles.

I smile. “I’ll be here.”

He smiles back before giving Liana’s tiny foot a gentle squeeze.

“You take good care of her today, okay?”

Liana answers with a sleepy coo.

Dean laughs, grabs his briefcase, and heads for the elevator. I watch the doors close behind him.

By the time Liana drifts off to sleep for her nap, the penthouse has settled into a peaceful quiet.

Her bedroom door is cracked just enough for the soft melody from the sound machine to spill into the hallway, blending with the music I have playing through the speakers in the kitchen.

I hum along without even realizing it.

A mug is soaking in the sink while I’m chopping strawberries for later, absent-mindedly swaying to the music as the late afternoon sun pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows, turning the marble countertops gold.

For the first time in what feels like forever, life feels wonderfully ordinary. The soft ding of the elevator is almost lost beneath the music.

I keep humming to myself, turning as I reach for a bowl on the top shelf.

A quiet laugh sounds behind me.

Before I can react, I feel Dean’s hands settle gently at my waist.

I smile before I even turn around.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” he says, his voice warm with exhaustion and relief.

He rests his forehead lightly against my temple for a moment, breathing out a long sigh that sounds like he’s finally able to let the day go.

“Tough day?” I ask.