Page 48 of From the Embers

“I love you, too,” I whisper when we break away. “I always have.” I wrap my arms around her as she folds hers around my waist.

“I think we just went way past complicated,” she sighs.

I chuckle. “If this is complicated, bring it on.” I pull her closer. “This was never just about your body, Adi. Though, I’m not complaining you let me spoil you.”

I haven’t even begun to show her the level of spoiling she’s going to get yet.

“Denver, I know I don’t know you, but I feel as if I do. I know this is just sex, I felt it from the first time you walked me home. We had a connection, we just fought it because we thought Daryl would be mad,” she says. “But we can’t worry about what my big brother will say. It won’t change your friendship.”

“No, it won’t because we’re always gonna be open and honest with each other. No matter how hard those words may seem.” I press my forehead to hers. “I have a lot to work on in that department, but I’m willing to try if it means I get to have you.”

“Well, I think I can live with that,” she giggles, pulling her arms tighter around me. “If you can?”

“I’m a work in progress,” I say. “But you bring out the best in me, you make me want to do better. I can see a future with you. I’ve never had that before.”

She smiles, her eyes soft and kind. “I always thought I was kinda closed up for business,” she admits. “My ex hurt me really bad, not that I want to talk about him, but sometimes I hold back, too. And it’s only because I’m afraid of getting hurt again, or worse… not being seen.”

I kiss her on the side of the head. “He clearly didn’t know what he was doing if he threw you away so easily,” I mutter into her hair. “I want you to know I see you, Adi. I see every single glorious inch of you.”

“Thank you, D. I appreciate how sweet you are. Even if we’re really in a pickle now.” She presses her lips together. “We haven’t even gone out on a date yet and we’re at ‘I love yous.’”

I grin, unable to stop kissing her. “I should take you out on a proper date. That slutty little dance you did for me ain’t gonna cut it. I need to feed you first.”

She thumps me on the arm playfully. “I think I like you taking charge like that. I thought you were gonna rip that guy’s head off.”

“Yeah, well, lucky for him he took the hint.”

“So macho.”

I roll us so she has her back on the mattress, her head against the pillows as I slide over the top of her. “It was love at first sight for me, as corny as that sounds.”

She wraps her arms around my neck. “There is nothing corny about a man expressing how he feels. In fact, I find it extremely sexy.”

“So, I should do it more often?” I pump my eyebrows.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

And I do, for the rest of the night.

fifteen

Adelaide

I squeeze Denver’s hand as he hangs onto the soft toy for dear life. We’re in the elevator of the hospital and he’s finally plucked up the courage to go and see Hope.

Not just that, apparently his LT called and said she’d been asking for him.

Turns out the kid had a broken arm and a fractured leg, but no internal injuries or head trauma. From what Denver described, it’s literally a miracle she’s even here.

“I’m nervous,” he says, pulling on the lapels of his jacket.

“You’re gonna be fine.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Just be yourself. Say whatever pops into your head.”

“What if I upset her?” he asks, looking down at me as if I have all the answers.