Shattered

•Twenty-Two•

FOUR MONTHS LATER

The scent of coffee roused me from a deep sleep. Only then did I notice Sammy's wet nose pressing against my face. I snickered as I peered though my lashes at his snoring and adorable face. Rolling over, I reached for Tom, finding his spot in our bed vacant.

I ran my hand over the sheets, his spot still warm. I stretched, my joints aching from sleeping in the same position all night. Sammy groaned and licked my cheek before jumping off the bed, stretching out his own limbs before shaking the sleep from his body. He barked once and then ran from the room.

I didn't want to get up, the bed was so perfectly comfortable, but the coffee smelled so good. I sat up and climbed out of bed, gathering my hair up and tying it back into a high ponytail. Quickly, in the master bathroom, I brushed my teeth out of habit. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I tip-toed my way downstairs, Sammy meeting me at the bottom, tail happily whipping back and forth.

Tom was in the kitchen, leaning over the sink with a mug of tea in his hands. The window over the sink was open and the smells and sounds of the lake wafted in, matching the warmth of the morning sun. The trickle of the coffee machine stopped, and I smiled, loving that Tom always made me a pot every morning, even though he was a loyal tea drinker.

I stopped and leaned against the entryway of the kitchen, staring at him affectionately. He was deep in thought, sipping his tea cautiously. I smiled and my eyes drifted to the kitchen table nearby, the morning paper spread open. One headline caught my attention immediately.

Police Baffled, Still Seeking Missing Woman

My eyes returned to Tom and I went to him, lovingly wrapping my arms around his torso, resting my head against his back. He grunted with affection and placed a hand over mine.

"Good morning," he said, his voice still gravelly with sleep.

"Morning. You're up early."

It was Sunday and we had no where to be but tangled together beneath the bedsheets.

"I couldn't sleep anymore," he placed his mug down and turned in my arms, placing his hands on my lower back, dangerously close to the start of the curve of my behind.

Pressing up on my toes, I planted a kiss to his perfect mouth. He squeezed me and I felt his cock twitch as I pressed against him. He smiled, knowing I'd felt it and I laughed as he trailed his lips to my jaw, kissing his way to my neck.

Sammy interrupted us, nudging Tom in the leg with his nose, groaning.

I smirked at the deflated grunt Tom made as he skimmed his teeth across my earlobe. Shivering, I giggled and pushed away. "Sampson requires a walk. I'll take him." I turned to grab his lead off the hook by the kitchen door, but Tom grabbed my hand.

"Not in that," he trailed his eyes down my length, reminding me I was wearing nothing but an oversized baggy tee and panties.

I smirked. "Good thing the neighbors can't see into our backyard."

"The gate is closed, just let him run around on his own and you can stay right here in my arms."

Sammy whined, desperate to go out. He bounced side to side with his front paws and I opened the door, letting him run past me. I closed the door and returned to my fiancé, tugging him to me by the neck of his shirt.

Our lips collided and his hands instantly found their way beneath my shirt, holding onto my waist before hungrily sliding down to my hips, his fingers slipping beneath the elastic band of my panties. He cupped my ass in his hands, squeezing me once.