Page 174 of Kentrell

Her brows lifted, like she was fighting off another smile.

“I’ma keep your ass up under me every night. You ain’t gon’ have to think about nothing but putting that lil’ pussy on ice before you leave for work.”

“Kentrell!” She laughed, blushing and giggling all at once.

“You gon’ let me finish packing?” I asked, grinning.

“Maybe.” She pulled my hoodie tighter like she wasn’t done with me.

“You gon’ keep kissin’ me like that while I do?”

“Definitely.”

I kissed her one more time…

Then let her steal two more after that.

By the time I finally got the last bag zipped and set by the door, her lip gloss was all over my mouth, my neck… and my thoughts.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Snow crunched under my boots as I carried the last suitcase out to the car.

I pulled my phone from my pocket—4:38 AM.

The sky out here was still black, barely a hint of morning on the horizon. By the time we touched down in Chicago, the sun would just be rising.

I stretched, glancing over my shoulder.

The driver—same one from before—was already out front, brushing snow off the rear bumper. He looked up and nodded when he saw me.

“Morning, Mr. Caldwell.”

I nodded back. “We good on time?”

“Yes, sir. Weather’s clear between here and the hangar. Jet’s already prepped.”

“Bet.”

I set the bag down with the rest in the back, then dusted the snow off my hoodie and glanced back at the cabin.

Inside, through the window, I saw her.

Zoe.

Standing near the fireplace in that long cream coat, scarf barely wrapped, lip gloss glinting even through the glass. Looking like peace. Like something sacred.

Like mine.

I jogged back up the porch steps, pushed open the door, and stepped inside just long enough to scoop her up.

“Wait—Kentrell!” she gasped, laughing as I lifted her clean off her feet.

“Mm-mm,” I grunted, adjusting her in my arms. “Not letting you walk on this ice.”

“Bridal style though?” she teased, but her arms wrapped around my neck like she liked it a little too much to argue.

“Gotta carry my girl out properly.”

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