Page 74 of Forged in Peril

Though Cameron’s office had no windows, she could have sworn that a ray of warm sunshine had just fallen upon them, warming her from the inside out.

“She still does. I’m pretty sure she has it on a fridge magnet somewhere,” she said. “I’ve been choosing crosses for a really long time, and I’m getting tired. I guess I just came here to tell you that I’m ready to start trusting God a lot more than I have been, and hoping that He will make it clear in time who He wants me to be.”

Cameron’s eyes were filled with unspoken questions, but instead, he only smiled across the desk at her, sending the butterflies in her stomach fluttering anew.

“In the meantime, if you can handle the mess, I’m not exactly opposed to trying again,” she said quickly, her cheeks going hot. “I mean, if you can get past how cold I’ve been lately. I’m sorry about that, by the way, but I can’t promise it won’t happen again, I can’t promise anything, really. Every time you’ve come near me, I’ve been falling apart inside, honestly, and–”

Before she had realized what was happening, he had gotten out of his chair, stepped around the desk, and pulled her to her feet.

She felt clumsy, but his grip was sure and strong, and she allowed her body to collapse into his, trusting that he wouldn’t let her stumble.

He paused for a moment, searching her face, waiting.

Waiting to be sure that she was ready, even now.

Bristol gave him a single nod, not wanting to ruin the moment with what were sure to be imperfect words.

When his lips finally met hers, she felt certain that her heart was going to explode in her chest.

There was no fear, no reluctance, not even when his fingers found her jawline and tangled in her hair, drawing her closer for several perfect seconds. She felt warm all over, the feeling of connection and security pouring through her from her head to her toes.

When he finally pulled away, she braced her hand against the desk, afraid she might fall over.

His eyes held hers, fierce and longing.

“You don’t have to have it all figured out, sweetheart,” he said, tracing a finger over her lips. “All I want is for you to try. That’s all I’m asking for.”

She nodded, certain that he must be able to see that her legs were shaking beneath her.

“Now,” he said, leaning down and planting a final kiss on her forehead. “You get back to work, and I’ll talk to Gabe and make sure he schedules a meeting with Jaclyn today. We’ll figure this all out from there.”

Bristol stood there for a long moment, unsure how he expected her to just go back to work, as though everything hadn’t just changed forever.

In a way, she supposed, maybe it hadn’t.

After so many years, and so much confusion, maybe things between her and Cameron were finally just shifting into place.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

CAMERON

Cameron set his fork down against his metal tray, listening to the clattering sound reverberating through the hollow, empty room. He frowned, glancing up at the clock on the wall. It was only eight o’clock, but the sun had long since set, and the cafeteria always felt rather eerie after dark. Everyone had gone home at least a couple of hours before, with the exception of the night security guards and Bristol, who had already retired to her slightly-improved makeshift bedroom on the third floor.

He pressed a finger to his lips, remembering the feel of the kiss they had shared in his office, and the much more innocent goodnight peck he had bestowed after that.

He had only had a moment with her–Jaclyn had run her around most of the afternoon and after she finished around six, he insisted that she rest–but even the small interaction played on repeat in his mind.

There would be time for more kisses, real and deep. More time to pick up where they left off, and, Lord willing, to move forward.

There was a sudden clanking sound beside him, loud enough to echo.

He shot up from his chair, his palm already resting against the holstered Beretta at his belt before he realized it was only Gabe dumping his tray down on the table beside him.

“You okay, bro?” Gabe said, raising his hands and giving him a funny look. “Little jumpy, are we?”

“I’m fine,” Cam said, his heart still hammering away as he watched his oldest brother casually stab a piece of grilled chicken with his fork. “You just startled me, that’s all. I assumed you’d gone home hours ago.”

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