Page 68 of Blissful Devotion

“She’s emotional.”

She gives a watery chuckle and shakes her head before resting her hand on top of mine.

“It’s annoying.” She wipes at her fallen tears with the back of her hand that’s still intertwined with Alex’s, as if she can’t possibly let go of him.

Good. I have a feeling she isn’t the only one who'll feel that way from now on.

“It’s adorable.” She purses her lips and glares at him, and something slides into place, letting me breathe.

“Fuck, I missed you.” I hear the way I nearly choke on the words, so I know she won’t miss it.

Again, her eyes water, and this time she doesn’t do anything to fight it, instead flinging herself into my arms with a sob that breaks my heart but also helps put me back together.

She pulls back before I’m ready, and I have to fight the urge to keep her here. I might have given in if not for the look of disgust on her face.

“What’s that smell?” She pulls back, pressing a hand to her face and looking a little green.

“Shit!” Alex finally drops her hand, rushing around the island to the burner I forgot was on until this very moment.

It smokes slightly as he tosses it into the sink and flicks on the water before turning to look at me with a raised brow.

“At least there’s still fruit.” I gesture to the counter where I’d already chopped up the watermelon and banana. It’s been a long time since I felt out of my element; usually, I can own any room I step into. I’ve spent years making sure I’m the most educated and experienced person in any room I need to be in for business, but in doing so, I may have let home life slip.

Having help is fine, good even, but it shouldn’t leave us helpless, lazy.

Yet another way Kat saved us from ourselves.

“Why don’t you two go have a seat, and I’ll make her something to go with the fruit?” Alex nods us toward the dining room before he sets to work, not even waiting for a response.

It’s just as well because there’s no way I’ll be able to do anything but hover around Kat for the next few hours.

I scoop her into my arms, and she lets out a little squeak of surprise but settles perfectly.

Exactly where she belongs.

“I love you,” she breathes the words against the sensitive skin of my neck, and goosebumps erupt, making the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and my cock hard all at once.

“I love you too, forever, my queen.”

She squeezes me tight, and I breathe her in for a moment before I sit us down at the table, leaving her in my lap because I can’t bear the thought of letting her go, not when I just got her back.

Her head pops up, and one second she’s on my lap; the next she’s nearly on the floor, hardly able to get her feet under herself.

I throw my hands up, unsure what triggered her, as her chest heaves, eyes wide with panic as she looks around the room as if she’s never seen it before.

“Kat?”

Her eyes volley around the room, from the table to the walls and up to the ceiling before they finally fall back to me, and I see so much in her eyes.

It’s like looking at Alex all those years ago.

“Nathan…” Her hand grips the table, and I hear the question as if she’s trying to separate her memories from reality.

“I’m here, love.” I don’t move from the chair, unwilling to scare her further, but I lower a hand to offer to her, palm up. “I’ll always be right here.”

Her eyes well with tears as she holds my gaze, then the dam breaks and her knees give out.

I catch her around her waist and slowly lower us down to the floor together.