Page 43 of Campfires & Canines
I breathe in her sweet scent. The smell of coffee and gasoline clings to her, and under that, something familiar I can’t quite identify. I grasp her tighter.
"Of course, I want you here," I finally say.
"No, you don't."
My voice is rough. "You have no idea what I want."
She lets out a scornful laugh. “I don’t think you even know what you want.”
If only she knew. I’m holding the only thing I truly want.
She looks up at me through her lashes. “You’re an amazing artist. And yet you just abandoned it based on someone else’s dream.”
With a deep sigh, I tip my head up and search the streaks of purple and navy through the leaves.
“I love tattooing. But I also love taking care of everyone here. Sure, it’s not as enjoyable, but it’s the most valuable thing I could do with my time.” I’d do anything for my community, but for her, I’d sacrifice my very soul.
Her words are muffled by my shirt. "I want to stay. But my uncle won't let me."
"I'm sorry." It's all I can say.
We linger in that quiet moment. Her distraught breathing steadies. "I don’t want to leave. This feels like home," she whispers.
This feels like home. Home.
I pull back so I can see her expression. Her tears have subsided, leaving her lashes glossy and her nose a charming shade of pink.
Taking a deep breath, I say what will help her and not what I’m aching to confess. "Look, Heath loves you. You're his closest family. But he is always going to put your well-being and safety first."
Her jaw juts out and her eyes narrow in determination. There’s that spark. She hasn’t given up, not really.
"I don't understand. You live here, Marigold does, even children, what's wrong with me? Why can't I?"
"It’s not that simple.”
"That's not fair." She argues.
“No, it’s not,” I agree. “You should be the one to decide where you live. Nobody else.” I shouldn’t speak against Heath.
“I don’t want him to be disappointed in me,” she says.
The quiet admission that would have been just as true if I had been the one to say it.
I tip her chin up so she has to meet my gaze. She needs to hear this and know I mean it.
“Your happiness is worth more than his approval,” I murmur.
Her eyes are russet, dark and deep, in the fading light. My hand shifts until I’m cradling her face. She hasn’t moved, her face tilted up towards me, mouth slightly open.
My father's voice echoes a warning in my head,Put your duty first.But then she's reaching for me and I'm lost to her.
Her hands press against my stomach, sliding around my ribs to my back. Everywhere she touches sparks electricity. I smooth her silky hair, my fingers tangling in the waves.
I can't resist her a second time, now knowing what she tastes like. I lower my face until our breath mingles. She only needs to move an inch and our lips will touch.
A twig snaps.
My muscles seize and I slowly raise my head, my instincts blaring inside my head. Deep breath, wait to confirm by smell. It could be an animal. But the faintest scent of an enemy reaches me.
