Page 40 of Tactically Tied

“I regret nothing. We found those incredible dried chilis and those peppercorns that made everything tingle. Plus, those five-spice blends we brought back.”

"My favorite thing was all those late-night walks after dinner, you dragging me to every lantern-lit alley and every little teahouse." Jed’s thumb brushed over her knuckles, his gaze dropping to where their hands were joined. “I think we tried every variation of dumpling Shanghai had to offer.”

She squeezed his hand, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest, the one that always took her by surprise even after a year of being his wife.

“You know, I wouldn’t mind taking a few of those walks again. I hear there's a great place to sit and even lie down. It's right next to our bed."

He bent his head, capturing her lips in a slow, sweet kiss. She melted into him, her hands sliding up to rest against the solid planes of his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and she took a step back—right into the still-unpacked suitcase.

The metal handle jabbed into her ankle, and she winced. The moment shattered. She pulled away, breaking the kiss, and shot the suitcase a withering glare. “Jed Winchester, you seriously need to unpack your stuff.”

He kicked the suitcase out of the way with one nudge of his foot, sending it sliding across the floor. “There, problem solved.”

“You are impossible.”

"Flatterer."

“You’re still unpacking that suitcase, Winchester.”

He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest, and wrapped her up in his arms. “How about instead of unpacking, we zip that suitcase up and head out on another trip?"

Jami leaned into him, savoring the solidity of his presence. “Well, I was thinking…”

He raised an eyebrow. “Uh-oh. That tone means trouble.”

“Not trouble,” she corrected. “Adventure.”

“And what kind of adventure are we talking about this time? A new restaurant concept? Another trip across the globe?”

Jami shook her head, biting her lip as she fought to contain her smile. “Actually,” she said slowly, drawing the word out, “I was thinking we focus on something a little closer to home.”

Jed frowned slightly, his brow furrowing in that adorable way that always made her heart skip a beat. “Closer to home?”

“I mean our home. I think it’s time we consider an addition.”

“An addition?” he repeated, clearly trying to puzzle out her meaning. “Like… a sunroom? A patio?”

“Not quite.” Then, with her eyes locked on his, she let her hand drift down to rest on her belly, her fingers splaying over the slight curve there.

Jed’s eyes followed the movement. There was silence. His gaze snapped back up to her face, wide and disbelieving. “Jami,” he breathed, his voice hoarse. “Are you…?”

She nodded, her eyes filling with happy tears. He just stared at her, as if trying to comprehend the enormity of her words. Then, in an instant, he was moving. He let out a whoop of joy, sweeping her off her feet and spinning her around. She squealed in surprise, clutching his shoulders. Laughter bubbled out of her, pure and unfiltered.

Jed finally set her down but kept her close, his eyes bright with unshed tears and sheer happiness. “You’re serious? We’re going to be parents?”

“We’re going to be parents.”

He let out a choked laugh, pulling her into a fierce hug, holding her as if he never wanted to let go. His hand moved to cover hers on her belly, his touch gentle, reverent. “I’ve never been this happy in my life.”

She snuggled into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her ear. “Me neither. I was so afraid that settling down meant giving up my dreams, but I’ve realized that you—this life—is my greatest adventure.”

“You have no idea how much I love you, Jami Chou Winchester. You and our little one… you’re my world.”

She smiled up at him, her heart swelling to the point of bursting. “And you’re mine,” she whispered. “Always.”

He lowered his head, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss, a kiss that sealed not just this moment, but their future. The suitcase was left unpacked as they did take that trip over to the bed. There they stayed for the rest of the morning and afternoon, loving each other until they reached the sweet, lingering finish.

Like the perfect dessert that followed a full-course meal, this moment with Jed was the final, satisfying touch. It was a dish that was rich and indulgent, one that lingered long after the last bite. The two of them had spent years simmering, their connection deepening with every heated look and smoldering kiss, but now, in each other’s arms, they reached that perfect balance, like the final flourish of a spoon through crème brûlée, cracking open to reveal the sweetness beneath.

As the sun dipped lower outside, casting golden light through the curtains, they wrapped themselves in the warmth of their love, savoring every kiss, every touch, as though they were crafting their own secret recipe—one that only they knew how to make, and one that they would never, ever tire of.

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