Page 58 of Instinct & New Identity

Val:

OMGBYE

My lip twitched asIput my phone down on the couch cushion next to me and stared over at the fireplace.Thesoft, crackling fire was beautiful to look at but also soothing.Ineeded that.

Vince, having left the room at some point whileIchatted withVal, walked back in the room and sat down next to me. “Youokay?”

I sighed, knowing he was likely reading the expression on my face and knew something was bothering me.

“Realistically,IknowValis safe, but it’s hard not to be worried given what happened,”Ishared with him.

“I get it.Let’sgo get in bed, watch a movie and just relax,”Vincesaid holding his arm out for me.

I grabbed it and followed him back to the bedroom.Itook the bathroom first, changing into a looseT-shirt and soft cotton pants to sleep in then washed my face and brushed my teeth.

Vince was already in bed with theTVon whenIcame back into the room.

I crawled into the bed, and he pulled me into his side.Hewas shirtless with some flannel pants on, and he looked like a rugged mountain man.Isnuggled up close to him and wrapped my arm around his waist, my other arm tucked up against his side.

His hand began to play with my hair and massaged my head.

“Everything will be okay,Kit-Cat.I’vegot you,” he muttered into my forehead, placing a kiss on top.

The stress of the day must have finally crashed over me.Irelaxed into him even more as he massaged my scalp and lulled me to sleep.

23

CAT

The smell of bacon and coffee woke me from sleep.Theother half of the bed was empty, butVincecouldn’t have been gone long because his side of the bed still smelled like him.Iclimbed out of bed in search of him.Imade a quick pit stop in the bathroom to brush my teeth and fix the disaster that was my hair, pulling it into a ponytail.

I wandered out to the kitchen to find him drinking coffee while standing shirtless by the stove.Helooked up at me asIwalked closer.

“I was going to bring you breakfast in bed, but bacon from the freezer doesn’t cook as fast.”

My heart melted a little bit.Ihad never had anyone make me breakfast in bed before.

“There’re a few items in the freezer, like this bacon and a frozen loaf of bread, but the fridge is empty aside from condiments, so we’ll need to either hit up a store today or get some groceries delivered.Untilthen, you get bacon and coffee.”

“Breakfast of champions,”Ideclared.

“You say that now, but there’s no creamer for your coffee.”

I mock gasped and put my hand over my heart. “Areyou trying to kill me?”

He walked closer to me and pulled me into him. “MaybeI’lljust have to give youCPRand kiss you back to life.”

His mouth touched mine, andIcould tell he had already had a piece of bacon from the taste in his mouth.

I pulled back and smiled at him. “Ifthis is going to get more heated than that,Iwillneed caffeine.”

“Have a seat.I’llget you a cup and some bacon since this is ready now.”

I sat at the barstool in front of the island and began to sip the coffee he brought me.Itwas strong without the creamer but tasted fine onceIput some sugar in it.

“What’s on tap for today?”Iasked, not sure what we were allowed to do now that we were hiding out.

“After breakfast, we’ll get the grocery situation taken care of, and thenIneed to cut some more firewood before we run out.Doyou need to get some work done, or are you up for a walk on the trails?”

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