Jonathan, finally getting the reaction he was waiting for, slowly opened his eyes and rolled down the car window.


    His gaze was still hazy from sleep but quickly shifted to surprise.


    "Honey? Why are you out here?"


    "And why are you sleeping in the car?"


    If I hadn''te out, how long would he have kept sleeping?


    Though the weather has warmed, the night is still cold. He even left the air


    conditioner on. How dangerous!


    Anneliese looked annoyed. Jonathan opened the car door and pulled her to him without answering.


    "Get in first. How can you be out here without a coat?"


    Before she could protest, he scooped her up, opened the rear door, and set her inside.


    Meatloaf wagged his tail, trying to squeeze in after her. Jonathan shut the door, walked around, put Meatloaf in the passenger seat, and joined Anneliese in the back.


    He pulled her into his arms, rubbed her cold hands, and yawned.


    "Since my grandmother opposed us, I haven''t slept well. I nned to leave when your lights went off, but I fell asleep."


    Anneliese saw his fatigue and her anger faded. How can I stay mad?


    She hugged Jonathan, pressing her face to his neck and speaking softly.


    "It''s my fault. I should have told you sooner. We won''t be apart―-I can''t live without you!"


    She couldn''t see Jonathan''s face. He wasn''t worried; he only smiled teasingly.


    He held Anneliese close, took two deep breaths, then let her go and smoothed her hair.


    "I know, baby. Don''t worry, I''m fine. Don''t keep Ms. Sweeting waiting-go upstairs."


    He draped his jacket over her shoulders, buttoned it, and opened the car door, escorting her inside.


    Anneliese grabbed his hand. He smiled yfully.


    She hugged him, pressed her cheek to his chest, and was reluctant to part.


    "Can we stay a little longer?"


    Her subtle movement made him chuckle.


    Anneliese nudged him, smiling.


    Jonathan said, "If you don''t want to go upstairs, let''s do something meaningful."


    She looked up. "Meaningful... what?"


    Before she could finish, Jonathan


    leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her gently at first, savoring her like a delicate dessert, until she instinctively parted her tips and yfully flicked out her tongue.


    He held her neck, deepened the kiss, and drew her closer.


    The car filled with the quiet sounds of their closeness.


    Suddenly, a wet tongue flicked her temple. Anneliese blinked in shock.


    A dog''s head was right in front of her, eyes wide and excited.


    Meatloaf squeezed between the seats, wagging his tail, wanting to join in.


    She almost screamed in fright. Before she could push Jonathan away, he noticed too.


    As Meatloaf tried again, Jonathan gently pushed his head back.


    Whine!


    The dog protested, as if wanting his own kisses.


    "My wife!"


    Jonathan tugged at Meatloaf''s fur, warning him.


    Anneliese, initially startled,


    help butugas she watcouldn''t


    hanpete with I


    Jonathan returned Meatloaf to the passenger seat, then looked down at her.


    "Is this old dog still good to eat?" He wants to steal my wife—can''t allow it.


    Howl!


    Meatloaf rested on the seat, whined, and nudged his head forward.


    She giggled,


    and patting Meatloaf''s head nce Contentel.ne


    and giving Jonathan a yful, scolding