Page 44 of Fire

His hands sliding low on my back.

Fist tight in my hair.

His low groan of pleasure as he slid inside me.

“You sound like you’re smiling,” Grandma says.

And would you look at that? I am. “It’s been a nice day.”

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve heard you say that?”

I think back through all the conversations the two of us have had since I moved back to the Keys, then through everything that happened since Dad got the job in Seattle. “It’s been a while.”

“It’s been too long.”

“I’m not sure what it is that has me smiling…” My gaze goes to the window again and I let out a long breath. “That’s not true. That’s the kind of stuff I say when I’m afraid I’ll be criticized for how I feel.”

“Atta girl,” Grandma says with pride. “So tell me, what’s making you happy, Ivy?”

I watch as Micah pulls himself out of the pool, water running down his body. He glances up and his gaze meets mine. It’s too late to pretend I wasn’t watching, so I lift a hand.

He returns the gesture.

“It’s Micah, Grandma,” I say, breathless, leaning against the wall. “It’s always been Micah.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Micah

Morning light peeks through the slats in my blinds. Whispered conversation and soft laughter wafts in from the kitchen on the other side of my closed door, with the scent of pancakes and bacon not far behind. What a strange thing, to hear Ivy in there with our daughter, when just a few days ago, Tucker was saying I’m ages from having kids. It’s like I’ve been dropped into an alternate reality, where Ivy never moved. Where we grew up together. Our love strengthened. Our daughter is ours instead of just hers and one-time things are all-the-time things.

I keep my eyes closed, letting myself enjoy the daydream just a little longer.

“You’re being fucking stupid,” I mutter, running a hand down my face. That isn’t an alternate reality out there. It is reality. Maybe things didn’t work out as picture perfect as they do in stories, but Ivy and Nell are right there, in the kitchen, while I waste minutes lying in bed. Time to get up and get out there.

“Who’s in my kitchen?” I call in my deepest, grumpiest voice.

“It’s us!” Nell’s sweet voice brings a smile to my face. “We’re makin’ breakfast!”

I roll over and press my nose to Ivy’s pillow, breathing in the lingering scent of her perfume.

One-time thing, my ass.

After what happened last night, I won’t be able to keep my hands off her. Her taste. Her touch. The way her body fit mine so fucking perfectly, silky and warm and fuck I want her again. Right here. Right now. I’d bend her over my dresser and bury myself inside because how can something that good be a one-time thing?

Because, whispers the voice of reason, she’s just getting out of a shitty relationship and whatever this is between you is complicated as fuck. Because she’s your dream woman and you’ve been her enemy until just a few fucking days ago and falling into bed again is the last thing either of you needs. Regardless, my cock hardens at the thought of Ivy naked and moaning beneath me.

I’ve never been good at listening to reason.

Throwing back the covers, I drop my feet to the floor, then stand and head for my dresser to pull on some joggers.

A light knock sounds at the door.

“I’ll be—”

Right out, is what I’m about to say, except Ivy doesn’t wait that long. She opens the door and steps in, carrying a tray of breakfast with Nell blissfully tucked away behind her. And thank God for that because I sleep in briefs. Which means I’m standing in briefs. With my dick still not the least bit interested in listening to reason.

Ivy’s jaw drops, as does her gaze…right to my goods. “Oh!”

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