Page 59 of Almost Always

His heart dropped as he reached for his phone. The silence was even louder now that everybody knew what that sound meant.

“I’ll stay with him,” she said, one hand moving over Cal’s back.

“I’m sorry to cut our evening short.”

She smiled. “We had fun, right?”

His son nodded, moving his spoon around in his bowl. Rafferty sighed and pressed a kiss to Cal’s head. “Be good, okay?”

As usual, he didn’t get a response, but felt his phone buzz again. He checked the notification and winced, because while it wasn’t a serious fire, it was urgent. Daisy’s hand landed on his arm and he nodded, his heart thumping so hard against his ribs it felt like he might hurt himself.

“Walk me out?” he asked and she nodded.

He kissed Cal’s head again and sighed when his son sniffled, but focused on the unsaid promise—I’ll be home soon. Once he grabbed his bag from the mudroom he found her at the front door.

“The universe has been doing everything she can to fuck with us, hasn’t she?”

She laughed, sadness tinged in the sound. “Maybe it’s not our time.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Then come back and prove her wrong.”

He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “Please don’t read the news. I’ll call if anything changes, okay?”

“I’ll try. Just…come back to me.”

“Always,” he whispered, finding comfort in the power of that word.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, her hands landing on his chest as they stayed like that for a long moment. His phone buzzed again and he made a sound of frustration, which made her laugh. He smiled and stepped off the porch as a truck pulled into the driveway. Then looked back as he reached the vehicle and found Daisy and Cal in the doorway. His entire world, framed by low lights.

The fire was mostly contained by the time they pulled up at the location, but they still needed to put it out and there weren’t enough hands on deck. Another firehouse had arrived as well and even with both trucks, it took them close to two hours for the house to be just embers, ash and smoke. The fire chiefs did their checks while the residents and neighbors were interviewed, so the Allenwood department couldn’t go anywhere. They had to survey the property, make sure that everything had been cleared.

And since the universewasconspiring against him, two annoying things happened.

First, they declared it an arson and everyone on scene had to wait for the investigator to arrive.

Second, Mother Nature didn’t like her planet being messed with, so she blessed them with a torrential downpour. Not just a light drizzle, but an almighty storm that left them all soaked to the bone.

He lost track of time after that. He’d forgotten his watch and his phone was tucked away inside the truck so it wouldn’t get wet. And hoped like hell that Daisy wasn’t glued to her phone.

Finally, the investigator spoke to them as a group and then one at a time, by which point the rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle. As they finished their interviews, everyone helped with clearing the rubble to gather further evidence.

The downpour returned just as the Allenwood truck was cleared to leave and it took them longer than necessary to reach to the firehouse. Even with his turnout gear on, the rain had soaked him right through to his underwear. He changed into his dry clothes and then hitched a ride home.

When they pulled up in front of his house, he saw her sitting on the porch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and phone in hand. Clearly doing what he advised her not to. When he slammed the truck door shut after getting out, she was on her feet. Then she was running and he took three big strides before she crashed into him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and his hands slid under her ass as he hoisted her higher against him. Her legs hooked at his waist and he felt her shudder as a sob fell from her lips.

He pulled back to comfort her, to say something that would assure her he was okay. Before he could even formulate his words, her hands were on either side of his face and her mouth was on his. His heart leaped at the feeling and with a gentle squeeze of her buttocks, he kissed her back. Loud groans echoed between them as heads tilted and lips fitted the right way. Hertongue grazed his and he shivered before returning the favor, sliding and tangling with hers as he held her close. Her fingers dragged through his hair, nails brushing his scalp before she tugged on the ends, drawing a hungry growl out of him. His fingers dug into her supple bottom and she rocked forward, rubbing herself against his stomach, setting every inch of him ablaze. It didn’t even matter that it was still raining or that they were soaked, because he was finally getting a chance to repeat one of the most memorable moments of his life with her.

Except, this was better. So much better.

He broke away, sucking in air and water as he stared at her. One hand came up to brush wet strands out of his face, her bright eyes watery as she looked back at him.

“That’s one hell of a welcome home, darlin’.”

The term of endearment surprised him, but it felt so natural sliding off his tongue. Clearly she liked it too, because she was kissing him again. This time softer and sweeter, her mouth gentle against his. He rubbed their lips together, tongue seeking hers as he took careful steps towards the house. As romantic as it was to kiss in the rain like that, they were going to fall sick if they didn’t get dry soon.

“I was fucking terrified,” she said, lips tracing the corner of his mouth. “You can’t ever leave me, Raff.”

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