Page 80 of A Better Place

“We will.” James grabs my hand and drags me toward the door. “Coat?”

“Closet,” I say, pointing.

He reaches in and picks up my jacket then helps me into it. We make our way out the door to his car. When we reach it, he stops and turns me so my back is pressed against the passenger door, takes my face in his large warm hands, and crashes his lips to mine.

It’s been less than eight hours since my lips touched his, yet it feels like an eternity. Apparently, it feels the same to him. As we stand next to his vehicle making out like a couple teenagers, the overwhelming sense to climb him like a monkey threatens to take over. Luckily, I just wrap my arms around him, bringing him in close to me. The cool temperatures of the outside do nothing to steal the heat that’s building between us.

Slowly James lifts his head from mine, his hands tangled in my hair and our breaths short. James has opened my heart up to so much more than I could have imagined. Most of all is the potential to love again. Love is the only thing that will allow my heart to heal, to feel light in the world of heavy.

Funny thing about it. Love isn’t going to go quietly into the night. Love is going to kick and scream and fight and demand it is given over to. Love is the most powerful of emotions. More powerful than anger, if allowed. Because love is the only thing that can help someone overcome. Love is hope and giving grace, and receiving it is the most precious gift anyone can give. And it is time for me to give. I have received it from James, and I am tired. I am so damn tired of letting the anger be the stronger emotion. Letting fear lead me. It is time. James deserves my love as much as I deserve his. It just took me a while to realize that.

“Carly.” His voice croaks, looking back and forth between my eyes.

“Yeah.” I agree to his unspoken words.

He searches my face, his normal bright blue eyes now deep navy blue. “Yeah.” He breathes out then reaches around me to open my door. Once I’m inside, he shuts the door, walks around the front, and climbs into his side.

“Seatbelt?” he asks, and I reach around and buckle up. “Ready?”

I take a deep inhale and fight the smile that I can’t seem to wipe off my face. He reaches over and pulls my bottom lip from between my teeth again, then presses his lips briefly to mine. “Me too, beautiful. Me too.”

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