The Glassheart Chronicles

by Courtney Cole

  ***

  My talk with Haniel eased my fears and by the time Victor came home, I was happily humming in the kitchen while I finished the last few touches on our dinner. The kids had been fed and were tucked firmly in their beds.

  "Hi, honey," I said, greeting him as I set the table.

  "You look cheerful," he said, flashing me my favorite smile I hadn’t seen in a while.

  "It was a good day," I said, standing on tiptoes to brush a kiss along his hard jaw line.

  "Really, why is that?" he asked, pulling me into his arms.

  "Oh you know, hanging out with the kids," I said, deciding to keep Haniel's visit quiet until Victor met with him himself. "They're so cute and clever," I added, linking my arms around his neck.

  For the first time in weeks, he didn't draw away. Testing the water, I gently nipped on his jaw again and felt his arms tighten around me the way I liked. Smiling against his neck, I worked my way up and nipped his ear next. He pulled away and I prepared to fight back my disappointment when he reached up his hands to cup my face. Sighing with pleasure, I parted my lips as his descended on mine. After weeks of barely any contact, his kiss was like aloe balm on sunburn skin, instantly soothing my soul that belonged to him. I kissed him back with abandon and moaned with delight when he pulled me even closer to him.

  "The kids?" he asked, finally breaking the kiss.

  "Tucked away in their beds," I said breathlessly, knowing exactly what he was asking.

  Smiling slightly, he dragged me back in for another kiss. I gripped his broad shoulders as he scooped me up in his strong arms and carried me back toward our bedroom, all thoughts of dinner forgotten.

  Chapter 3