Smiling faintly, Ben rested a hand against her spine, feeling the rise and fall of her breath, as if she were right there with him. When she kissed him, he jolted, startled not only by the intensity of it, but also by its familiarity.

He doubted he would ever take any of this for granted, but it was beginning to feel like something that belonged to him. Being with her was beginning to feel like home.