Savannah’s soft breaths tickle my chest as I wake up. We changed positions a few times during our sleep, but we always stayed together. She’s now lying on my chest with her leg slung over my hips. My arm is under her shoulder, wrapped around her back, and my other is holding her hand, resting on my stomach. I look down at her peaceful face. Every bit of worry and etch of anxiety is wiped from existence. There’s a small tilt of her lips as if she likes what she’s dreaming about.

I let go of her hand to reach for my phone on the nightstand. It’s late morning—neither one of us got much sleep after our ordeal, and I still need to fill her in on some things about myself, but we’re moving in the right direction. I want to keep pushing us that way.

I send a message to my family’s group text, killing two birds with one stone. I need to apologize to them for being an asshole, and I need them to meet this beautiful, amazing girl wrapped up in my arms. After a few short exchanges, our plans for the day are made. I look at Savannah’s peaceful face one more time before kissing her forehead and whispering that it’s time to wake up. She doesn’t budge. I roll her over gently, framing her face before kissing her lips.

“Savannah,” I say softly. “Wake up, gorgeous.”

She bats my hand away and rolls, turning to face the opposite direction. I laugh. This is our second time waking up together, but the first real time of seeing her true self in the early morning light. I come up behind her, kissing her bare shoulder. She yanks it away, mumbling, “Go away.”

“Not gonna happen, gorgeous. I’m here to stay.”

I try one more time unsuccessfully to wake her before I say the one thing that I think will make her eyes pop open. I wanted to tell her when she was fully awake and hopefully ease her into the idea. I’m not sure how she will take it, but it’s done. Our plans are made.

“You’re meeting my family today, gorgeous. You gotta wake up.”

She starts to jerk out of my reach on instinct but then stops suddenly. Her eyes pop open, slowly turning her face toward mine. I smile at her, kissing her nose. Her eyes are wide open, showing bewilderment.

“What did you just say?” she says hysterically. She’s wide awake now.

My smile grows even larger. “We have to get ready. We have plans today.” I kiss her fully on the mouth, slipping my tongue inside and groaning. She gets sweeter every time I kiss her.

She loses herself in our kiss until she remembers our conversation. She pushes my shoulder, breaking our kiss. “Plans?”

“Yes.”

“With your family?”

“Yep.”

“Like your parents?”

“And sister.”

“And I’ll be there, too?”

“That’s the plan.”

Savannah pushes my shoulder even harder. “Wh–why didn’t you wake me earlier? I have to get ready.” She jumps out of bed, running around my room naked. I sit back against the headboard with my arms behind my head. My morning wood is turning into a full-on straining erection beneath the sheets.

“Oh, my God, I don’t have clothes here. Why didn’t you wake me sooner?” She turns toward me, showing me her glorious body.

“I tried, gorgeous. You’re even stubborn in your sleep.”

“I am not. I find myself pretty delightful in the morning.”

“I find you pretty delightful like this,” I tell her, gesturing to her naked body standing in front of me. “Come here.”

“No,” she says, putting up a finger. “We have to get ready! We have to go to my house, so I can get ready.”

“We have time. Come here or I’ll come get you.”

Her eyes flash, and her nipples harden into peaks. She can’t deny she likes the idea of me coming to get her. I get up from the bed, prowling toward my prey. She takes two steps back for each of mine surging forward. I surprise her by rushing toward her with my shoulder down. I launch her over my shoulder and carry her into my bathroom, smacking her ass on the way in.

She shrieks, but wiggles her ass, letting me know that she likes it. I don’t put her down until we’re standing under the warm spray of the shower. I corner her in with my body, running my hands up and down her sides. I put my hands on Savannah’s ass, urging her to lift her legs around my waist.

I don’t tell her we’re definitely going to be late.

* * *

When we get to Savannah’s house, she launches herself out of my Jeep, running inside without waiting for me. She left the front door open in her wake. I follow her in, closing the door behind me. She’s calling out Harper’s name, looking in each room along the way.

Savannah was furiously texting on the ride over here. I catch up to her in the hallway leading to their bedrooms. I place my hand her shoulder, turning her toward me. “Is everything okay?”

“No,” she says, moving me out of her way.

“What’s going on, baby? Talk to me.” My muscles are tensing, preparing for what is about to happen.

“Harper is supposed to be here.”

“Didn’t see her car outside, baby. Is she okay?”

She waves her hand behind her like that’s a silly question. I’m getting frustrated not getting any answers. I’m right on her heels, about to toss her over my shoulder again until she tells me what’s wrong.

Harper comes running into the house yelling, “I’m here. I’m here.”

Savannah runs over to her. “Thanks for coming home.”

“It’s cool, Camille can handle the store for a bit without me.”

Savannah comes toward me. “When are you supposed to be at your parents?”

I look back and forth between Harper and Savannah, completely lost. “What’s going on?”

Savannah’s octave reaches the highest level I’ve ever heard it. “I can’t show up to your parents empty-handed. I need to bring something.”

“No, you don’t. My parents have the barbecue handled, trust me.”

Harper scoffs. “No, she really can’t. So, tell me how long.”

“About an hour and a half. Okay, so you want to bring something to their house?”

“Yes,” Savannah and Harper say in unison.

“No offense, Harper, but what do you have to do with that?”

Harper bursts out laughing while Savannah’s cheeks turn crimson. Harper throws her arm around Savannah’s shoulder, pulling her deep into her side. Savannah is already rolling her eyes before Harper even opens her mouth.

“Our girl here,” Harper says, shaking Savannah. “Can’t cook. Like, anything. She caught our toaster on fire two months ago.”

I look over at Savannah, trying to contain my chuckle. She’s looking at the floor, glancing up at me through her lashes. “That wasn’t my fault! It was a faulty toaster.”

I can’t hold in the boom of my laugh that escapes my chest.

“Fine, fine,” Savannah says. “It’s true. I can’t cook or bake, but Harper is here to save the day.” Savannah kisses her cheek. “Thanks, Harp. I have to get ready.”

“Anytime, girl. You’ve saved my ass so many times. It’s time to return the favor.”

My chest warms seeing their interaction. I like that my girl has good people in her life. “Come with me, Liam,” Savannah says, walking toward her bedroom.

After she shuts us in her room, she goes to her bathroom, saying over her shoulder, “Don’t think I forgot that you have secrets to tell me, too.”

“I know, I do, baby. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll spill,” I promise her.

“I’m ready now.”