Page 42 of Her Remarkable Protector

She shoots me a mock glare, the kind that makes the corners of her mouth twitch upward despite herself. And there it is—the sweetness I’ve always imagined was there but never quite surfaced. It’s the kind of moment I’d bottle up if I could.

Huckleberry.

Yeah, she’s a Huckleberry, no doubt about it. But the thought I can’t shake is this: will she bemyHuckleberry?

Honor lays Laramie in the cot, her fingers brushing over the llama blanket—Oakley’s thoughtful gift for his baby sister. The way she moves, so careful and tender, sends a tight pull through my chest. She lingers, her eyes resting on Laramie with a quiet intensity, before finally stepping back and meeting my gaze, waiting expectantly.

“All right, tour time,” I say, motioning for her to follow.

We start in the kitchen. “It’s nothing fancy,” I tell her, opening the fridge, “but it’s stocked.” Shelves are packed with fresh produce, snacks, and enough ingredients to cook a dozen meals.

Honor peers inside, her eyebrows raising in surprise. “Do you always keep this much food around?”

“No,” I admit. “I had help.” I don’t mention Hux again, but the ghost of his voice telling me to “buy the damn baby snacks” echoes in my head.

I lead her through the rest of the house, stopping at my home gym. Honor steps inside and freezes, her gaze sweeping over the weights, the squat rack, and the neatly arranged kettlebells. “You lift those things?” she asks, pointing to the barbell loaded with plates.

I smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe. “You’re surprised?”

Her eyes narrow playfully. “You sure you’re not compensating for something?”

I bark out a laugh. “You think I bought a full gym setup to make up for something? These arms aren’t just for show.” I tap my ceps, earning a roll of her eyes.

We move on to the next room—a small but sleek setup I call the wellness room. Honor steps inside, taking in the state-of-the-art air purifier humming in the corner.

“And this?” she asks, folding her arms. “What is this, a pure oxygen room? What’s next, cryotherapy?”

I chuckle. “Hey, don’t knock it. Some people swear by it. Good air is good living.”

Her eyebrow arches. “You mean rich people swear by it.”

“Touché,” I concede, grinning. “But if you want to test it, I could seal the door and let you compare the difference.”

She snorts. “I’m not falling for your placebo tactics, Chase.”

“Placebo?” I say, feigning offense. “This is cutting-edge stuff. Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who thinks essential oils cure everything.”

“No, I’m not.”

Not the answer I was expecting, but then I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s not any woman.

After a few awkward seconds, we both laugh, the sound bouncing off the walls, making the house feel fuller.

Back in the living room, Honor sinks onto the couch, looking relaxed for the first time since I met her. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I glance at the screen. “It’s Oakley,” I say, holding it out to her.

Her face lights up, and it’s like watching the sunrise. She snatches the phone eagerly. “Oakley? Oh my God, hi!”

I step back, giving her space, but her joy is impossible to ignore. She’s animated, her voice light and full of life as she talks to Oakley, filling him in on how she and Laramie are doing. The way her eyes shine, the way she leans into the call—it’s a different side of her. One that’s not weighed down by fear or exhaustion.

This moment—this feeling—it’s good. Beautiful, even. Maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s them.

14

HONOR

I wake up feeling something I haven’t in what feels like years—rested. Really rested. The mattress beneath me is soft, the sheets clean and fresh. Even Laramie seems to still be deep in her marathon of sleep.

The scent of breakfast drifts in, teasing me. It’s not overpowering—just a whisper of something familiar, like mornings from a different life. I know the kitchen is far from the bedroom, but my imagination fills in the gaps: the sizzle of something in a pan, the clink of a plate being set down. And Chase, moving around the house—maybe in something more casual than his usual suit? I’ve never seen him out of that polished armor, and the thought of him in t-shirt and shorts feels oddly…domestic.

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