Page 30 of Through the Fire

I was in the air again being twirled before I could blink. Heim’s excitement was always hard to miss, and I loved how he felt safe enough to express himself with me.

“Come on. Let’s have dessert before our next stop.”

“There’s more?” I asked while trailing him back to our table set up.

He winked. “Most definitely.”

* * *

After feedingeach other chocolate-covered strawberries, we were back on the move. We headed to a venue I wasn’t familiar with. I could admit the dinner would’ve been enough for me, but I was excited about whatever else he’d planned. Heim didn’t cut corners, so it was sure to make me smile.

There was a small line out front, but we bypassed it without pause. I saw the venue was a quaint little bar. Along the back wall was a stage where a band was setting up. I eyed Shyheim suspiciously, but he gave nothing away. Heading to the bar, he ordered us some drinks then took my hand to guide me to a seat near the front of the stage.

We were on our third round of drinks when the host came on the stage.

“Welcome to Bella’s Corner. Tonight, you’re in for a treat as we celebrate our owner’s birthday with a performance by her niece, Gravity.”

The band began playing one of Gravity’s hit record “Spaces,” and I freaked out.

Turning to Shyheim I squealed. “Are you freaking kidding me?”

He shook his head. He knew how much I adored Gravity. I listened to her on repeat endlessly, and now, I was going to see her perform. Sure enough, my girl floated on the stage looking as ethereal as ever. This was the most perfect way to end the night.

The world stood still as my man came to hug me from behind while my favorite artist performed only a few feet away from me. We swayed together to the music; I was downloading every detail of this night. Gravity’s voice was like an angel. Heim’s breath tickled my neck before he kissed my skin gently. He just didn’t know it, but I was going to suck the soul out of his dick when we got back into his truck.

Spinning in his arms, I tossed my arms around his neck. “How did you pull this off?”

His eyes were glazed over from the alcohol we were consuming.

“Her manager is from Rosewind. I saved her from a fire in the beginning of my career, and she told me she owed me a favor. I finally cashed it in.”

I sobbed, dropping my head onto his chest.

“You’re perfect,” I confessed once I got myself together.

He shook his head. “Nah, but I’m perfect for you, though.”

Palming his face, I said, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“Giving up on you was never an option in the first place, but you’re welcome. You’re worth whatever fight comes my way. I’m laying out any and everybody ’bout you.”

“So, you’d run into a burning building for me?”

He paused and stared lovingly in my eyes.

“Without a second thought.”

Months Later…

Checking the crook of her arm, I made sure to rub her custom body butter into every inch of her skin. I paid close attention to her problem areas, knowing we’d gotten her skin to a good place. The last thing I wanted was for her to go backward.

After reading her a bedtime story, I tucked Shyla into bed then tiptoed out of her room as quietly as I could. I fed her dinner, put her in the bathtub, and got her ready for bed. A glass of wine was much needed while I waited for her father to get home for the day.

Things were going so well that nothing about this felt awkward. I enjoyed spending time with Shyla and doing things for her after I picked her up from daycare in the evenings. There were some difficult moments because she could be very playful when she was in that mood, but it was nothing that made me want to walk away though.

Going into the kitchen, I began cleaning the dishes from the dinner I’d cooked. I ended up cooking marry me chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli. I only fixed a plate for Shyla so I could have dinner with her daddy once he made it home. That was how we spent quality time together on the days Heim worked. I understood he was exhausted after work most nights. So, I was okay with getting in where I fit in because I knew without a doubt that man was making time for me in his schedule. Even if he had to move things around, take an extra thirty minutes on his lunch, or cash in some PTO hours… he was coming.

Once I finished cleaning, I poured myself a glass of Sade Rose to wind down with. I walked into the living room and stopped when I saw a black puppy standing there wagging his tail. I smiled while inching closer to him. Bending down, I rubbed the top of his head.

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