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“I guess so.”

Fee’s attention returned to the fire she had going in the fireplace and Theo stood frozen to the spot, the snow melting off his boots and onto the hardwood floor. Things had never been this awkward between him and Fee before. He didn’t know what to do next.

Was this how it was going to be now?

Had they officially gone too far?

Had they ruined everything?

“Are you going to stand there dripping until it’s time to go?” she asked with a smirk interrupting his increasing panic.

He laughed and toed off his boots, plopping next to her on the couch.

“You make this fire all by yourself?’ he teased and she leaned into him. Thank God.

His equilibrium felt restored by that one little movement, one touch of her shoulder against his and everything was okay again.

“Yes, I did. I’m very capable.”

“I know you are.”

“Also, it’s gas. I just had to flip the switch.” She grinned at him and stole the bag from his lap. “Did you get me more than one?”

“Of course I did.”

“Yay! Thank you.” She took another cherry Danish from the bag and started pulling it apart.

“You could just bite into it,” he said, taking a big bite of the cheese Danish he’d grabbed for himself. A little stale, but not too bad.

“Doesn’t taste as good that way.”

They sat side by side eating in comfortable silence, the fire crackling and the sun shining in through the window. Fee was warm by his side and again he felt the urge to stay here forever, hidden away with his favorite person.

“Do you regret it,” he asked. “What we did last night?”

Her finger made a popping sound as she pulled it from her mouth, licking off more icing. He had to look away.

“No, I don’t regret it. It felt … necessary.”

He grunted in agreement. Necessary. He’d felt like he might actually lose his mind last night, like his body might go up in flames. What they’d done had only barely taken the edge off.

“And it doesn’t feel necessary anymore?” He turned to face her on the couch, their knees touching.

“I didn’t say that.” Her voice had turned breathy and there were so many things that felt necessary right now. Like kissing her, like cupping her beautiful face in his hands, like pulling her into his lap, like doing everything he’d promised last night but with his own damn hands and mouth and cock.

The door opened, letting in a blast of cold air. And Fee’s mother.

Theo dropped his head with a sigh.

For fuck’s sake.

“Good morning!” Runa chirped. “How did everyone sleep last night?”

Fee caught his eye and they both dissolved into exhausted laughter. Which was good, because if he didn’t laugh, he may tear someone to shreds.

Or cry.

Either one.