We fell asleep, my arms holding him close to my body, his head resting against my chest, and his arms wrapped around my waist.

I woke up again to wetness against my chest and his body shaking. My heart broke for every violent shudder that racked his body. When he lifted his head and looked into my eyes, I didn’t know what to expect. But what came out of his mouth will forever be something I remember.

“I don’t think I would have survived that had you not been there. I told you before that you’re my light, my Sunshine, and baby, if it hadn’t been for you shining that light on me today, I wouldn’t have escaped that pain.”

I gulped my sob, wanting nothing more than to break down in that moment. He leaned up, giving me the softest kiss before taking my body in a lovemaking that was so pure I felt like our souls had merged into one.

When he gasped my name as he came, words of our love for each other whispered in the darkness, I knew that, even though he might still have hard moments, we had jumped a huge hurdle that he’d needed in his healing.

“Chelcie?”

“Back here, baby!” I call out, finishing out the last chapter I had written. A sense of pride fills me when I look down at the word count. Holy shit, I’m really doing this!

“What are you up to? Don’t we need to head out?” He nuzzles my neck, trailing hot kisses along as he moves up to rest his chin on the top of my head.

“Uh, nothing?” Dammit, I really need to work on this answering-him-with-a-question crap. He always sees right through my being evasive.

Truth is, I haven’t told anyone that I’m writing this book. I’ve been working on it for so long that I think I always thought it just wouldn’t get finished. Or maybe the fear is what keeps me from telling anyone. It’s a part of me that I’ve kept so close that it almost feels like a betrayal to my mind…as stupid as that sounds. Or if I admit it out loud, then it becomes real—the pressure to do it, to succeed becomes real.

“Sunshine, stop thinking and let me in.”

“It’s, uh… It’s a book I’ve been working on,” I groan, knowing that I sound like a complete fool. I bury my head in my hands and wait for his laughter.

“A book? Damn, that’s astounding babe. Did you just start this?”

I turn around and look at him, the shock and love clear on his face. There is nothing but respect and happiness for me. For me and my dream. I smile so large that it hurts my face, knowing damn well that I must look wonky.

“You okay there?” he laughs, mirth apparent with each word.

“Never been better, baby. Never been better.”

He kisses me with what starts off as one of those sweet kisses I love so much, but it turns quickly into a devouring of mouths.

“Must be one hell of a book if I get this kind of reaction from you.” He smiles down at me, looking so happy that my heart swells.

“It’s nothing,” I nervously groan.

“Don’t do that,” he sternly bursts. “Don’t diminish something that is obviously important to you. Your dreams are important to me. I want to be here to enjoy them, cheer you on, and lift you up. This isn’t a one-man show, sunshine. You there for me and me alone. No, it doesn’t work like that with me. So let me ask you again—what is this book you’re working on?” His tone leaves no room for arguing, and I can see in his eyes that he means it. He wants to be there and he genuinely wants me to tell him.

“I started working on this book idea I had a few years ago. I never thought that I would do anything more than play with it, but the story has been demanding I finish it lately. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like I need to write it more than I need to breathe. It sounds so silly.” I try to hide my face again, afraid that I might start crying and basket-case Chelcie will come out to play.

“Chelcie, there is nothing about that that sounds silly. I’m so proud of you. It takes serious guts to be able to write something that means that much to you. I hope one day you’ll let me read it.”

“You really want to read it? It’s not like…man stuff. It’s romance, baby.” I place one hand on his solid chest and the other against his cheek.

He turns his head, nuzzling my palm for a second before placing one of his famous sweet kisses against my skin. My whole body swoons from just that alone.

“You bet that sweet ass I want to read it. Come on. We’ll talk about this kick-ass book of yours on the way to the doctor.” He leans in and places a kiss against my stomach before standing up. “Time to figure out if I need to buy stock in Smith & Wesson or Magnum.”