Alice was brave and capable, self-sufficient and resourceful. Cyrus knew she could do it and that only made his desire to spoil her every so often by doing something for her stronger. She was so capable, he had to find the perfect opportunities to surprise her.

The beautiful undressed woman in his arms didn't need a surprise this morning, he decided. She needed to be curled up with someone who loved her.

When she spoke, he laughed, a rich deep laugh that began in his chest and he almost couldn't breathe for a few moments. When he met her eyes, he was smiling. "If they did, they never voiced it. I meant...a moment of pure happiness with someone they loved."