And I'd found mine.
Chapter 6
Kim
I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the scent of coffee drifting from the kitchen. For a moment, I lay still in Neil's bed, processing the soreness in muscles I'd never used before and the profound sense of rightness that had settled in my chest.
Everything had changed last night. Not just my body—though Neil had certainly awakened parts of me I'd never known existed.
The sound of Neil moving around the kitchen made me smile. He was giving me space to wake up naturally, probably worried that I'd have second thoughts about what we'd shared. But lying here in his bed, I'd never felt more certain of anything.
I pulled on his flannel shirt from yesterday and joined him in the kitchen. The worn fabric was soft against my skin, carrying his scent like an embrace.
"Morning," I said, suddenly shy despite everything we'd shared.
He turned, and the heat that flared in his eyes when he saw me in his shirt made my nipples harden. "How do you feel?"
"Different. Good different." I moved closer, drawn by that invisible thread that seemed to connect us. "A little sore."
Concern immediately creased his features. "I hurt you."
"No." I reached up to touch his face, marveling at how natural the gesture felt. "You were perfect. Gentle and patient and everything I needed you to be."
The relief in his expression made my heart ache. This powerful man was terrified of causing me even the slightest discomfort.
"I made breakfast," he said.
"I'm starving." But instead of moving toward the food, I stood on my toes and kissed him, soft and lingering. "Thank you."
"For breakfast?"
"For last night. For making it beautiful instead of awkward or painful." I traced the line of his jaw with one finger. "For seeing me as someone worth being gentle with."
Something dark and possessive flashed in his eyes. "Kim, you're everything to me. I'd die before hurting you."
The fierce declaration sent fire through my veins. "I know," I said. "And that's why I'm thanking you."
We ate breakfast together, and I marveled at how natural it felt. The awkwardness I'd expected after sleeping with someone for the first time simply didn't exist. Instead, there was an easy intimacy, like we'd been sharing morning meals for years.
"What's the plan for today?" I asked, sipping coffee that was somehow perfect despite being made on a basic camping setup.
"Whatever you want. We could explore more of the mountain, look for those tree markers I mentioned. Or we could work on documenting the rest of those papers." His eyes tracked my movements as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Or we could stay right here, and I could spend the day learning every inch of your body."
The casual suggestion made me wet. "That's a very tempting option."
"Just an option." But the hunger in his voice suggested he was hoping I'd choose door number three.
"Actually," I said. "I need to finish documenting the papers we found.”
"Of course. I can set up a work area in the workshop just for you."
“I’d like that.”
After breakfast, I worked on finishing up with the documents that we found while Neil rearranged furniture.
"This table usually holds orders for Sam's clients," he explained, moving a beautiful cherry wood piece aside. "But your work is more important."
"Sam?"
