When I walk into the kitchen and see Carter flipping pancakes, I smile so big that my cheeks hurt.

I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve someone like him, but I am so grateful for it. He makes all of my demons go away, and gives me a sense of peace I don’t ever remember feeling. He is standing in front of the stove without a shirt on with his sleep pants hanging low on his hips. It is such a tease when they are like that, I just want to pull them down.

Carter makes me feel free to be sexual and not see it as a bad thing. Chris used sex as a weapon, but Carter uses it to show me how much he loves me.

He turns around and smiles when he sees me. When he starts to walk over to me doing his sexy strut and wraps his arms around me, I am ready to drag him into the bedroom.

“Some amazing man left me a cute surprise on your pillow.”

He smirks. “He better not still be here, because I made you breakfast.”

I laugh and lean up to kiss him. Moments like this are the best. Just being able to relax and enjoy being happy together. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby!” He pulls back and frowns at me. “What?”

“You stole my line!” I laugh and he kisses me again. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby! C’mon, let’s eat.”

We eat breakfast and I can’t stop smiling, even during the ride to school. I wish we could have stayed home all day, but I actually have a lot going on in my classes. These professors should realize that Valentine’s Day is not an ideal test day.

I take my seat in history when a guy I don’t know comes up to me. “Madison Stevens?”

I furrow my brow in confusion at him knowing who I am. I am usually good with faces, but I don’t remember ever meeting him. “Yes.” I reply, not knowing what to expect. He hands me a big red teddy bear and then walks away. It is so adorable and so soft! I pull out my phone to text Carter.

Me: Some wonderful man just had a teddy bear brought to me <3

Carter: Is it the same jerk that left the lollipop on your bed? Who do I need to kill?

Me: I love you, Carter James!

Carter: I bet you say that to your other boyfriend too…

I laughed out loud and the whole class turned to look at me. My face turned red and I felt my phone vibrate again.

Carter: Love you, too! Happy Valentine’s Day!

I put my phone away and try to focus on class. Carter’s gifts keep coming, though. In philosophy, a chocolate rose was delivered. In sociology, it is a candy-filled heart. I’ve never felt so cared for in my life.

Carter makes me feel like being myself is more than enough, and that is new to me. People always want me to change or improve for them, but he loves me for who I am.

I practically run out of the class when it is over so I can see Carter. He is standing there, holding another bear, just like the one I already have. I run to him and throw my arms around him. Usually, I am shy about ‘PDA’ but I don’t care who is watching.

I crush my lips to Carter’s and drink him in, like I need him to breathe. The truth is, sometimes I feel like I do. He is surprised, but quickly recovers. He kisses me back with so much love and lifts me into the air.

“I think I’ll start doing this every day!”

I laugh as he lowers me back down to the ground. He holds out the bear to me, but I am confused because I already have one identical to it.

“No, I’m not senile. I know they look the same, but watch.” He takes mine and holds them facing each other. They are pulled together and now joined at the nose. “Their noses are magnets, so they are drawn together. This is me and you, Maddy. Separate from you, I look normal, but I’m only complete when we’re together. I need you with me, by my side, and in my life because you’re my other half.”

I can feel the tears coming. Damn, I am such a crybaby! “Carter, that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. I love you with all my heart…” I lean in close to his ear and whisper, “And I cannot wait to give you your surprise tonight. If I deliver it in class, you might have a heart attack.”

When I pull back, I can see the fire and desire in Carter’s eyes. I wink at him and start to walk toward the cafeteria. A minute later, I am being picked up and thrown over his shoulder. He starts walking toward the parking lot with me. I take advantage, though, and reach down to smack his butt. He returns the favor to me and laughs to himself.

“Carter! What are you doing?”

“Taking you home!” He puts me down, but grabs my hand and continues walking toward the car. As much as I wish we could leave, there is no way. My afternoon classes are just as crazy as my morning ones. I pull my hand away and start to walk toward the cafeteria, knowing that he’d follow me eventually.

I turn back to make sure he actually is following me and he is, even though he has a huge pout on his face.

When we get there, Shawn and Jason are waiting for us. I give Jason a hug, then move to Shawn. When I put my arms around him, he winces. I look up at him. “Are you okay?”

He smiles back at me. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been working out more lately so I’m a little sore.”

“Keep on working, Shawn!” Jason shouts. I punch him in the arm. He can be such an ass sometimes. I love hanging out with these boys so much. Everyone has been so busy lately, so we all decide to start doing dinners as a family on Sunday nights. This Sunday is going to be the first and I am so excited.

I feel like I am getting to live the life I missed out on growing up. I now have things I never thought I’d be able to have like family dinners, best friends, brothers, and unconditional love. Jason pushes a tray of food in front of me and when I look down, I see it has a bunch of my favorite foods on it.

“So, I’m not as whipped as Carter, but I grabbed your lunch for you, Mads. Happy Valentine’s Day, sis.”

“Aw, thanks, J!” I give him a kiss on the cheek and sit down.

“I got you this, too, Maddy.” Shawn hands me a DVD and, when I look at it, I see that it is the movie “The Last Song.”

“Shawn! I love it!” They all heard about how Carter and I always watch the sappy movies together. They also love to make fun of him because he likes them. “Well, I have something for you guys too.” I take out an envelope and give it to Carter. He opens it and, as he reads it, I see his face light up.

“Well, what is it?” Shawn asks.

Carter grabs me and hugs me, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

“Carter, what the hell! Tell us already!” Jason yells. These boys really need to work on their patience.

“Maddy got us gift certificates to go play paintball.” Both guys look so excited, and I couldn’t be happier. They’ve been helping me so much that I am glad I could give them something.

The rest of the afternoon is just as great. Both Chris and Alyssa shoot me death glares during class but, at this point, I couldn’t care less.

We are driving home when Carter asks me to get a paper out of his book bag for him. I open it and see something wrapped in pink paper. I look over at him and he smiles. “Open it.”

What could this be? I take it out and unwrap it. My mouth drops open...he got me a Kindle! Oh my God! “Carter! This is amazing! I love it! I can’t believe you got me one.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad you like it, babe. You just have to promise me one thing.”

Oh, no. “What?”

He smirks at me. “You’ll always love me more than your book boyfriends.”

We both start cracking up. “I’ll always love you more than anything, babe.” He reaches over and grabs my hand. I want him so bad right now. Desire is starting to pool in my belly.

When we walk through the door, I throw myself at him. Carter has been so gentle with me, but I don’t want gentle right now.

He is shocked at first, but I hear a low groan come from his chest. He turns me around and holds me against the wall. I wrap my legs around him and start kissing his neck and collarbone. Every time I give him a little love bite, I can feel him tense. “Babe, do you wanna go to bed?”