I hate being away for the night. It’s the first job I’ve been on since Constance arrived. I’m mindful of the fact that I’ll have to work more often now I’m supporting both of us.

While I don’t mind working, I’m not enjoying being away from her.

I’m just grateful that I told Graham about Constance. At least he knows she’s there and maybe he can protect her, should anything go wrong.

I should have got another dog.

The thought twists my stomach.

For the first time in a long time, my head is back home and not where it’s meant to be. I almost miss the sound I’ve been waiting for.

The branch above me creaks as the possum lands on it. I don’t have to see it to know it’s there.

I aim my rifle, using the night vision to locate him. In the silent night, the gunshot sounds like an explosion.

A thud comes from the forest floor, and I grab the torch, quickly finding him.

“Last one for the night I think.” I mutter to myself.

I carry the possum to the back of the truck and drop him. Tomorrow, I’ll take them to show the landowner. Then, I’ll be off to Carlstown to see my contact who takes it from there. I’m paid for the pest eradication, and then I get paid for the fur, and sometimes for meat from the pet food factory.

It’s not a nice business, but this land should be full of native birds. The possums kill everything they come across. The guy who farms this land has cattle, and the possums can carry bovine tuberculosis.

Our arrangement works out well for me—I’m just glad it’s one night this time.

As I crawl inside the tent, my thoughts return to home. What’s Constance doing? Is she buried in a book? Or has she gone to bed, too?

I check my watch. It’s a little after two. I laugh, still not knowing the answer. She loves having so many books to read, and I love having that in common with her.

I’ve never really missed anyone like this before.

She’s on the couch when I walk in the door. My heart sings at the sight of her.

This is what I always wanted: someone to come home to. Someone who belongs here.

Nothing has ever felt as right as this.

“Corey?” Constance smiles, dropping her book to the floor. She runs toward me, and I let my bags fall to the ground.

I need a shower, and sleep, but for now I wrap my arms around my girl and hold her, closing my eyes. She smells like my shower gel, and I bury my nose in her hair.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Never better. This is what I need.” I let her go enough that she can look at me. Her eyes are full of affection, and I don’t have to ask to know she’s feeling the same way I am. “I’ve got a present for you.”

“You do?” Her smile widens.

“I do, but I want a kiss first. And after I’ve given you your present, we can take a shower before bed.”

Con snuggles into my chest. “I like that idea.”

“I just need to go and get your present from the car. I couldn’t carry it in with everything else.”

Suspicion is written all over her face.

I grin as I grab the box from the car. She’s gonna love this.

I get just inside the door, and she’s by my side. “What’s in the box?”

“Take a look and see.” I hand it to her.

She opens the holey lid of the box, and the look on her face is priceless. Her mouth falls open, and I swear I can see the awww before she says it. “Chicks?”

“Trevor was frantic to get rid of the possums pestering his chickens, among other things. Spring chicks.”

“This is my present?” She’s completely focused on them, running her fingers over their fuzzy little yellow bodies. They don’t have a lot of room, and they’re jostling for space, making those high pitched chicken cheeps.

“We can find a bigger box for them for tonight, but we’ll get something permanent in the ground in the morning. I figure they’ll need plenty of space to run around, and we’ll need somewhere for them to roost.” I nudge her arm. “One day, we’ll have fresh eggs every day.”

“We will. Oh, Corey, they’re gorgeous.”

“You asked me once before about keeping animals here, and I told you I can’t leave them alone for days. But you’re here now, and I figure you’re sticking around for a while.”

She pecks me on the cheek. “Thank you.”

I shrug. “Maybe I should have done it a long time ago. I’m sure Lily or one of the others would have been happy to check on any animals I had.” I sigh. “I’m sure it gets boring being up here with just the two of us.”

She shakes her head. “Believe it or not, I prefer it. I love being with you, and I miss you when you’re not here, but for the first time ever I can hear myself think.”

“That’s why I like it, too.”

“Let’s go find a bigger box for them, and get in the shower. I could do with getting clean, and touching you.” Con shivers, the smile on her face widening. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you, too.”

She’s still fussing with the chicks when I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower.

I sigh as the hot water hits me. My body aches from walking through the bush, and I know sleeping won’t be an issue tonight.

Constance slips into the shower beside me.

“Let me show you just how much I missed you.” I wrap my arms around her waist, and she giggles as I run my hands down to her thighs, pulling her legs up so she hooks them around me. I press her into the corner of the shower, cupping her arse, and kiss her, my tongue lashing over hers. This is turning into the perfect homecoming.

Dropping my head, I nuzzle her neck. I’m rock hard, and my cock is pressed against her pussy. I want in.

“I’m glad you’re home,” she whispers in my ear.

“Me too. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive a week away.”

Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I raise my head. Her eyes search mine. “A week?”

“I’ve got a client that has trouble not just with possums, but stoats. And the area’s so big, there are a couple of us who spend the week out there clearing it. I do it twice a year, and it pays well. It’ll keep us going for the next six months, Con.”

“Us?”

I press my forehead to hers. “Yes, us.”

“Corey.” There’s so much affection in her voice as she cups my face.

I’m falling in love with this woman, and now is the time to show her that. “I want you to stay for good.”

She nods. “That’s what I want, too.”

“Good.” I shift my hand to her clit, and her lips part as I use my thumb to get her off. “Now that’s settled, I’m going to give you the good fucking I think we both need.”

She blushes when I talk like that, and now’s no exception. Letting go of me, she slams her palms against the shower walls. Fuck, I love the way she looks when she comes. I might have given her multiple orgasms over the last few weeks, but it’s like each one catches her by surprise.

“Come for me, Constance, and I’ll fuck you.”

She lets out a loud gasp. I’ve got her completely under my control. She can’t move anywhere; she can’t wiggle out of my grasp. I need to taste her. But that’ll have to wait.

“Corey,” she cries. Her body shudders, and she falls apart right in front of me. She hooks her arms over my shoulders, leaning her head against mine.

I pull my hips back, line up my cock, and drive into her, not giving her a moment to recover. I thrust, pushing her against the corner of the shower. She moans over and over again. She’s so hot and tight around me, and I need my release as much as she needed hers.

“That feels so good,” she says.

“You feel so good.” I find her mouth with mine.

She breaks away to cry out as I bury myself deep inside her. She hooks her ankles together, pulling me in tight. I grin at her need for me being as great as mine for her.

I can’t imagine ever being without her now.

When she giggles, I snap back to reality.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, really. Just that you’re strong enough to hold me up like this.”

“You weigh nothing, that’s why.”

She drapes her arms over my shoulders. When I look into her eyes, it calms me, brings me back to centre myself.

I slow. Her breath catches, and I close my eyes as I come.

Pulling out, I hold her while she drops down to stand in front of me.

“I think I’m a bit wobbly after that.” She laughs.

“Me too. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

She picks up the sponge from the shelf, and squirts shower gel onto it. “Turn around?”

“What are you up to?”

“I thought I might scrub your back.”

Her hand slides around my hip and I shudder. “Uhh, that’s not my back.”

Constance presses her lips to my shoulder. “I’ll get to that. Promise.”

I lean against her, closing my eyes as she runs her hands over me. It’s like she’s marking her territory, and I don’t mind that at all. I already belong to her.

Afterward, she falls asleep first.

By all rights it should probably be me. I’ve had no sleep for nearly forty-eight hours, but I’m running on adrenalin.

I love watching her sleep.

She looks so peaceful, and I hope to hell she always feels that way.

This is it. She’s it.

I slip my arm under her neck and curl my body around hers.

I’ve never slept better.