“What do you think?” Reid asked as he stepped to the side to allow Carley to judge whether the framed painting was hanging straight.
“Perfect,” she said with a smile. “And it matches the new color on the walls just like I thought it would.”
Reid looked around the living room of the quaint cottage he now shared with Carley. His mate.
“Are you sure about this? We could have found another house. I don’t want this one to bring back bad memories for you.”
Carley walked across the room and wrapped her arms around him. She slipped her hand under the hem of his shirt and smoothed it up his back. It was still puckered from the scars Quentin had caused, but there were no new scars, thanks to Alexa’s amazing healing abilities.
He didn’t even flinch as her hand roved over the marred skin. The scars didn’t affect him as much anymore. In fact, just last night he’d lain on his stomach and let her give him a backrub. And he no longer leaped out of bed and pulled on a shirt whenever he woke up and discovered he was sleeping on his stomach.
“Is the fact that you’ve gone to work for the king as head of security for the coterie causing you to relive bad memories?” she countered.
Reid shook his head. “Not at all. I actually like this leader, even though I think he’s too soft.”
“Lightbearers are different from shifters,” she pointed out.
“I know,” Reid said. “I’m learning.”
Carley gave him a reassuring smile. “You’ve done a marvelous job of erasing all the bad memories so far. I see no reason why that trend won’t continue. Besides, this house doesn’t look or feel anything like it did when I lived here with him.”
Reid slipped his arm around her waist and guided her into the kitchen. The first thing they’d done, when they made the decision to move into this home together, was to gut the kitchen and start over from scratch. Now, it looked like an amazing replica of the kitchen in Reid’s apartment in Chicago. Including all the utensils and appliances he’d purchased for the specific intention of seducing Carley.
“I love my new kitchen,” she said impishly.
“Me too.”
“I especially like the way you look in that sexy apron I bought you.”
“It’s only sexy because I didn’t wear anything underneath it.”
“Are you supposed to?” Reid asked innocently.
Carley rolled her eyes and lifted her hand to let it rest on her still-flat stomach. “Soon, we won’t be able to walk around naked anytime we want.”
“If you’re trying to convince me that I won’t be thrilled to be a father, don’t waste your breath. I can’t wait.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
She leaned her head back to look at his face. “More positive memories, to wash away the negative ones.”
“Yeah,” he said as he brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. “Nothing but positive memories, from this point forward.”
“I love you, Reid Hennigan.”
“I love you, too, Carley Hennigan.”
The End
Publisher’s Note
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