The way that he says my name has my eyes softening, relaxing the slightest bit. He surges forward and I return the kiss happily, wrapping my arms around him and smiling against his mouth. Everything feels so intense and that's even before he whispers it back to me, sounding so sure of himself that it takes my breath away.

"Eric Richard Bittle," I reply with a soft, fond chuckle as I slide my fingers up into his hair. My heart feels light, fluttering happily as I kiss him again. "Does this mean that I can tell the dogs that you're adopting them?"