Page 115 of Until We Meet Again

Zane made space for me in the house the day after I agreed to move in with him and has been waiting for the day that I'm here for good.

Finally, I hear his car pulling up to the house, and the butterflies in my stomach start exploding. He knows I'm here; he would've seen my car parked outside. I stand at the front door, holding a glass of bourbon, acting like a good little housewife. As soon as the door swings open, his eyes scan my body from head to toe, and a sly smile creeps up on his face as his gaze moves to the glass in my hand.

"Good day at work, Professor?"

"It was a long day at work, and you are exactly what I needed to come home to." He strides over to me, wrapping me in his arms and kissing the hell out of me. "Just one more day, and this will be our reality."

"I moved in early."

"Are you serious?" he asks, and I nod at him with the biggest smile on my face. He scoops me up in his arms and carries me into the kitchen. Setting me down gently on the island counter, he leans in and presses his forehead against mine before kissing me mercilessly.

"Are you happy?" I ask despite his smile and obvious contentment.

"So damn happy, sweetheart." His face meets my neck, and he inhales my skin.

"Something smells good, and I don't just mean you."

"It's dinner. I made a lasagna."

"Did Jen help you move?" I shake my head at him as his hands move up and down my back.

"Tobias." With an eye roll, he lets out a laugh. "Don't worry, I made sure he didn't fuck me in your bed."

His hands drift down my body, and his fingers press into my waist as he shoots me a predatory glare. "Ourbed," he whispers against my lips.

"That's what bothered you?" I can't help but laugh. His territorial side has long disappeared, at least when it comes to Tobias.

Zane has me.

He knows it.

"So, how long before we eat? Because I actually do need to fuck you in our bed."

"You'll have to wait a while before you can have either."

There's no answer from him, but my panties are gone from beneath my yellow sundress in one short, sharp tug.

"Screw that, I'm eating now."

Chapter 53

Tessa

One Year later

Zane and I are in Dallas for his brother's wedding. It's the first time we've visited his family together, so to say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I was supposed to travel with him here a few months ago, but I couldn't get away from work, and those few days without him weren't fun for either of us.

We've had plenty of FaceTime calls with his family, and I keep in touch with his mom if Zane doesn't check in for a while. Despite not meeting them in person yet, I feel like I know them.

But that changes today, and I'll have the chance to see where Zane grew up and meet the people who raised him.

But before we head to his family home, there's someone he's ready to introduce me to first.

Kimberley.

As soon as we landed in Dallas, we rushed to the hotel to check in. Once we’d both freshened up, Zane drove us to his sister’sresting place in silence, but my hand didn’t leave his the whole way.

We stroll through the cemetery, his hold on my hand growing stronger, ensuring I keep close by his side. The comfortable silence between us is only broken by the gentle rustling of leaves beneath our feet, and when I gaze up at him, his eyes stay fixed on the path ahead, the one leading us to his sister. After a few minutes, we stop, and there it is—her name in bold black letters—and I feel a tiny piece of my heart break. The grave sparkles with fresh flowers of all colors, showing just how deeply loved Kimberley still is. According to Zane, his mom visits every Saturday, bringing flowers and ensuring everything is perfect for her.

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