I ended the call and leaned back in my chair, a weight lifted from my shoulders. One less threat to Summer’s happiness eliminated.


    “Who was that?”


    I turned to find Summer standing in the doorway, looking deliciously rumpled in one of my t–shirts that hung to her mid–thigh. Her scent–honey and wildflowers, now mixed with mine–filled the room, wrapping around me in a way that made everything feel right.


    “Just pack business, honey,” I said, opening my arms to her.


    She padded across the floor and climbed into myp without hesitation. I buried my face in her neck,


    nuzzling the soft skin where faint marks fromst night still lingered–tiny reminders of how desperately


    I’d imed her hours ago.


    “You should have stayed in bed. I was nning to bring you breakfast.”


    Summer hummed contentedly, running her fingers through my hair. “I missed you. Woke up and you


    were gone.”


    I tightened my arms around her. “Sorry, sweetheart. Had some things to take care of early.”


    “Important Alpha things?” she teased, but I caught the slight tension in her shoulders.


    “Nothing for you to worry about,” I assured her, kissing the spot behind her ear that made her shiver.”


    Just making sure everything is in ce for what we have nned today.”


    Her eyes lit up with curiosity. “And what exactly do we have nned? You’ve been very mysterious.”


    I captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss that had her melting against me. My hand slid up her thigh, finding she wore nothing under my T–shirt.


    “Fuck, Summer,” I groaned against her mouth. “You’re killing me.”


    Summer shifted in myp, causing delicious friction against my rapidly hardening length. “I wanted to see you,” she whispered, her eyes–those beautiful eyes that had first captured me–locked with mine. “I always want to see you first thing in the morning.”


    Something in my chest tightened at her words. After everything she’d been through–Foster’s betrayal, losing Felix, the constant threats–she still looked at me with such genuine love.


    “God, Summer,” I growled, capturing her mouth in a heated kiss.


    She responded eagerly, her tongue dancing with mine as she pressed closer, her nipples hardening against my bare chest. My hands slid down to cup her ass, lifting her slightly to position her right where I wanted her.


    “Alex,” she moaned against my lips as I slipped one hand between her thighs, finding her already wet and


    ready for me.


    Cha