Cherry hesitated, fingers tightening on the doorframe. It had been a long time since Kaleb visited their home; he always preferred neutral ground — the compound, the training center, the mess hall. Even when they ventured into the human side of Chestnut Bay together, it was never here. Never this close. Never this private.
Having him inside her house with only herself and KJ felt… dangerous.
Not because Kaleb would hurt her.
But because she might embarrass herself. Because she still felt things she had no business feeling. Because being near him made her too aware of every breath, every heartbeat, every memory she’d spent ten years burying.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.
That was when he spoke.
“Cherry.” Kaleb's voice was low, rougher than she remembered. “You weren’t
