Page 85 of Fixing to Be Mine

And now that I know what it’s like to be needed by her, I don’t think I can go back to pretending I ever want anything less thanforever. The word cements in my chest as we watch the flames die until it’s mostly ash and memory. The last few embers glow hot, but it’s fading fast.

I should put it out, and we should leave. But I stay like this for another minute, holding her, not wanting the night to end. I run my hand down her spine, committing it all to memory. This night. Her laugh. The way her body curls into mine, like she’s been waiting her whole life for someone to cherish her as she is. Stormy isn’t just in my arms; she’s in every plan I make. And, damn, that puts a smile on my face.

Even after everything we’ve experienced, in the back of my mind, I know she’s still leaving.

Her thumb rests on my wrist, and I wonder if she notices how erratic she makes my pulse.

“Is this real?” she whispers, like she’s woken from a dream and the world is waiting to snap her back to where she was before us.

I don’t answer right away, not with words. I lift her hand to my mouth and press it there.

“Seems real to me,” I say, voice heavy with everything I’m trying not to say too soon. The last thing I want to do is scare the shit out of her.

She shifts on my lap and turns to face me. I never want to forget how she’s swimming in my eyes. Tonight, she’s allowed me to see every vulnerable part of her. Right now is no different.

“I didn’t want to like you,” she says, half a smile tugging at her lips.

“I got the memo with that wholeyou’re too young for mebullshit,” I say.

“And yet,” she says, drawing out the words, “here we are.”

“Here we fucking are.” I grin. “Regrets?”

She shakes her head, chewing on her bottom lip. “I’m asking myself when we can do that again.”

“Yeah?” I lift a brow, grinning.

“Yeah,” she whispers.

I push a strand of hair away from her temple, tucking it behind her ear.

“I don’t know how I’m going to leave,” Stormy admits. “My life away from here is so messy.”

“Trust it’ll work out how it should.” I realize I’m sounding woo-woo, like my sister Kinsley. “But I wouldn’t be able to walk away from me either.”

Laughter escapes her, and damn if it isn’t the best sound I’ve ever heard.

She leans her forehead against mine. “You’re getting cocky, Valentine.”

I tilt my head just enough to brush her nose with mine. “I’ve earned it.”

She hums, thoughtful. “You did just ruin me out here. Twice.”

I chuckle. “Darlin’, I’d ruin you everywhere, if you let me.”

Her eyes flick to mine—wide, amused, maybe a little scandalized. “You’re serious.”

“I have a few places I’d like to be adventurous.” I waggle my brows.

“Yeah?” she asks. “Like where?”

“Back of the truck. My old bedroom. Tree house behind my parents’. Every single room at the farmhouse, upstairs included. A bar in town. In the church bell tower.”

Her mouth falls open. “Yousinner.”

I chuckle. “You asked.”

She playfully nudges my chest with her fingertips. “Is this your way of asking if I’m in?”

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