Chapter 79: Chapter 79

"Wake up."

Kiki heard a strange voice in the distance, but was so snug and warm that she couldn't wake. Then she smelled the masculine scent of men's aftershave.

"Wake up, sleepyhead." She felt his breath brush across her face as he spoke.

Then everything came rushing back to her. The fire, the hospital, Taren bringing her to The North Pole Lodge- "Taren." Her eyes opened, suddenly wide awake, and Taren was kneeling beside her bed. No, she wasn't dreaming. She placed her hand on his cheek. "You're still here."

His lips curled into a smile. "Of course, I'm still here." He gave her a quick kiss on the nose. "Lunch is ready. Time to get up. But if you'd rather sleep--"

"No, I don't want you to go," she said before she could stop herself. She sat up in bed, feeling as if she had been run over by a truck. But waking up to the sight of Taren in her new apartment was definitely something she could get used to.