Page 36 of Courageous Demands

“Maybe she’ll be learning too…”

“And maybe you’ll both start planting the plants if I just put the containers where I want them,” his mother interjected, but there was a softness to her voice and a note of approval. “I’m going to put these in place and head home. Have a good night, you two.”

Willow didn’t look away from Alec’s eyes as she spoke. She could practically feel the air crackle around them as those dark orbs seemed to melt.

“Thank you for your help, Mary.”

“Thank you, Ma,” Alec said quietly, waiting.

Neither moved, and Willow heard the wooden gate on the side of the house close, jumping slightly at the sound. Her heart was beating so quickly, and she was trying not to sound breathless or nervous, but something was changing between them before her eyes.

“I don’t want to have to pick up the pieces again,” Alec breathed. “We’re sure about trying this all over again? You are sure about… us? About giving this a try?”

She saw him swallow as he adjusted slightly from where he was on his knees, sitting back on his heels.

“I’m very sure,” she admitted. “I kept waiting and hoping…”

“Me too,” he admitted, his voice the barest whisper. “We should probably work on planting the flowers.”

“Probably.”

“Unless…”

“Yes?”

A nervous giggle escaped her at how high-pitched her voice was and how breathless she sounded. There was no mistaking what she was feeling, and that was a dead giveaway – and Alec knew it. A soft, knowing, gentle smile touched his lips as he crawled forward just a few inches to be closer to her, their knees almost touching in the grass.

“Unless you have a different idea?” he began, reaching across the small gap between them. “I’ve always thought your hands were so lovely. Remember how you used to get ink stains on your middle finger because you held the pen so tightly?”

“Still do…” Oh man, if she thought her voice was breathless before, she was going to hit ‘hyperventilate-status’ any moment now. “Alec?”

“Yeah?”

“What are we doing?”

He lifted up off of his feet where he was sitting and remained on his knees before her, tugging on her hand and pulling her up to mirror his position. He laid her hand on his shoulder. She saw him swallow just before he spoke, his own voice achingly vulnerable and soft.

“I’m trying to figure that out – and I’m afraid to make a mistake.”

“If it’s a mistake, then don’t do it…” she replied faintly, her eyes dropping to his lips as he leaned toward her.

“They say that firefighters like danger, that it gives them a thrill. I know it makes my heart beat quickly… like now,” he breathed, his other hand rising to cup her cheek as if to hold her still. She probably needed that because her whole world was spinning at the idea of him kissing her once again.

He paused right before their lips met, his eyes meeting hers.

“Am I dangerous or thrilling to you?” she barely uttered but saw the flare of desire in his eyes. He’d heard her and was responding. She heard his breath catch as he tugged her waist closer to him in that second.

“Both,” he answered simply, capturing her lips.

That feeling of ‘home’ combined with that vortex of passion that swirled around them was staggering. She heard Alec murmur something against her lips as he deepened the kiss, lacing his fingers in her hair. There was something so elemental in tasting him, combined with the sweat and dirt. She didn’t even care. This was her man, her Alec, and he was kissing his woman, claiming her.

He broke the kiss a moment later, meeting her eyes.

“You better be sure,” he growled softly. “Because if you leave me again, I am coming after you. I’m gonna make a big scene, and the gossips will have a field day… you got me?”

Instead of feeling threatened, she smiled tenderly.

“You promise?”

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