Page 44 of Reckless Flames

Ben

The wedding had been nothing short of magical, every detail a perfect testament to Madi and Theo’s love. As the evening wound down, the revelry giving way to quiet goodbyes, I found myself in a reflective mood. The joy of the day, mingled with the undercurrent of tension from the threat, left me feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Sophie, ever the pillar of strength, had been incredible throughout the day, her laughter genuine, her happiness for her sister palpable. Yet, I could see the toll it took, the moments she thought no one was watching, the slight furrow of her brow, the quick scans of the crowd. She was carrying a weight—one I had vowed to lift.

As guests began to depart, murmuring their congratulations and well-wishes, Sophie and I found ourselves lingering. The air wascool, the night sky a canvas of stars, a peaceful backdrop to the chaotic whirlwind of the day.

“You okay?” I asked, my voice low, as we stood slightly apart from the remaining clusters of guests.

She offered me a tired but genuine smile. “Yeah, just... It’s been a long day, you know?”

I nodded, understanding all too well the unspoken words behind her simple statement. “Let’s get you home,” I suggested, the protective instinct in me flaring up, wanting to shield her from any more strain.

The drive back to my place was quiet, the soft hum of the car and the occasional flicker of streetlights casting shadows inside the vehicle. I stole glances at Sophie, her face illuminated by the passing lights, a serene kind of beauty in her exhaustion.

Once we arrived, the familiarity of the surroundings seemed to bring a sigh of relief from Sophie. “Home sweet home,” she murmured, a hint of irony in her voice, given the circumstances that had brought her to stay under my roof.

The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the buzz of the wedding. We moved through the rooms, turning on lights, shedding the remnants of the day’s festivities. The tension that had been a constant companion began to ebb away, replaced by a comforting tranquility.

We changed out of the clothes we had worn to the wedding. In the kitchen, I poured us each a glass of wine, the rich red liquid a small indulgence after the day’s events. “To Madi and Theo,” I toasted, raising my glass.

“To Madi and Theo,” Sophie echoed, her smile reaching her eyes this time.

We settled into the living room, the soft cushions a welcome respite.

“Ben, there’s something I have to ask…about the stalker. How did they figure out he worked at the hotel when he was there under a different name? I saw it on the nametag sewn onto his shirt. At the time, all I cared about was getting out of that restroom, but now I’m curious.”

“When I realized that that last note was probably put into your purse after you entered the hotel, I called Detective Roberts immediately. She went to the hotel management, asking about recent hires, and he was the only employee hired after the hotel’s wedding venue had been booked by your family. Then she had the DMV photo that we’d gotten ahold of and showed that to the hotel manager. Of course, he was able to identify Derek Edwards as Derek Williams. So she jumped right on it, and you know how that turned out.”

I sighed and changed the subject. Our conversation flowed more freely now, laughter mingling with more serious discussionsabout the future, about the steps we’d take to deal with the stalker from here.

“It’s going to be okay, Soph,” I found myself saying, the words a promise I was determined to keep. “We’ll figure this out, together.”

She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder, a silent acceptance of my vow. “I know,” she whispered, her voice laced with gratitude and something deeper, an acknowledgment of the bond that had formed between us, forged in adversity but strengthened by something much more profound.

As the night deepened, the wine glasses emptied, and the conversation dwindled to comfortable silences, I realized that this was where I was meant to be. Supporting Sophie, standing by her side, facing whatever life might bring us—together.

When sleep finally called, it was a gentle tug, a natural conclusion to the day’s emotional journey. Sophie stood, stretching slightly, a silent question in her gaze.

“Let’s get some rest,” I said, standing as well, the unspoken agreement between us clear. Tonight, we’d sleep soundly, under the same roof, safe in the knowledge that we had each other, that we were no longer facing the darkness alone.

The night had wrapped around us like a comforting blanket, the soft sounds of night in the country adding to the tranquility. AsSophie and I stood there, in the quiet aftermath of the day’s events, there was an unspoken connection humming between us, a current of shared experiences and unvoiced emotions.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” I murmured, the words slipping out in the comfortable silence that had settled between us. It was more than just gratitude; it was an acknowledgment of everything she had brought into my life since her arrival.

Sophie’s eyes met mine, a softness in them that made my heart skip. “Me too, Ben. Despite everything...it feels right, being here with you.”

That simple admission sparked something within me, a flicker of warmth that quickly grew into a consuming flame. I reached out, my hand gently cupping her face, drawing her closer. “Sophie,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

Her breath hitched slightly, her gaze locked on mine, waiting. The air between us was charged, heavy with anticipation.

“I love you,” I confessed, the words feeling both monumental and entirely inadequate to express the depth of what I felt for her.

The moment stretched out, suspended in time, before Sophie’s lips curved into a grin, “Oh thank God, it’s not another secret!” Then, “I love you too, Ben. More than I thought possible.”

The confession shattered me. I leaned in, my lips finding hers in a kiss that was gentle at first, a soft exploration of the new terrain we’d just uncovered. But it quickly deepened, fueled by the weeks of tension, fear, and the underlying current of attraction that had always simmered between us.

Our kisses grew more passionate, more urgent, as if we were trying to communicate all the unsaid things, all the emotions that had been building up. My hands found their way into her hair, tangling in the soft strands, pulling her even closer, if that was possible.

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