ANDREA’S POV
I heard the front door open just as I was pouring my third cup of coffee—though I’d stopped tasting it after the first.
My heart jumped, unreasonably hopeful, and then settled the moment I heard the steady weight of his footsteps.
Kade.
He entered the kitchen first, covered in a thin layer of dust and soot, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and streaked with grime.
His eyes landed on me immediately, and relief flooded through me like a bath. His presence alone made things bearable.
He didn’t say anything at first. Just walked across the space, cupped the side of my face, and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“I missed you so much,” I murmured.
He pulled back, his eyes glinting with affection that warmed me down to my toes as he searched my face, and then my body.
“Are you okay?”
I laughed softly, leaning up to peck his lips. “You should look in a mirror before you ask me that question.”