Page 37 of Open Arms

“Abby down for the count?” she asked, her voice a soft melody against the hush of the room.

“Out like a light,” I confirmed, my gaze lingering on her a second too long. “Thanks for helping with the bedtime stories.”

“Anytime.”

We stood there, adrift in the stillness, an invisible current pulling us closer without a single step. Her blue eyes held mine, and I saw the flicker of something deeper within them.

“Chloe, I—“ But before I could unravel the words tangled on my tongue, she broke away.

“I should get back out there,” she said quickly, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of rose.

“Right, yeah, of course.” My response was automatic, but inside, disappointment coiled tight.

She slipped past me, a whisper of warmth as our arms brushed, and returned to the bonfire glow. I followed moments later, but the magic of that quiet interlude clung to me, refusing to dissipate into the night air.

The group was deep into another round of tall tales by the time I rejoined them, but my mind remained focused on Chloe. I watched her laugh at Eryn’s story, her head thrown back, carefree. It was a side of her I’d caught only glimpses of—a Chloe unburdened by shadows.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that swelled within me, a potent mix of yearning and resolve. Enough waiting, enough wondering. Tonight, I wanted to taste the truth that simmered just below our skin.

“Hey, Chlo,” I called to her, my voice low but firm. I closed the distance between us and reached for her hand. Her fingersfelt small and cool in mine as I led her away from the fire’s crackle and the safety of friends.

“Where are we going?” she asked, a note of surprise threading through her curiosity.

“Somewhere quiet,” I said, feeling my pulse quicken.

Behind her cottage against the treeline, the world seemed to hold its breath. Just us and the stars bearing witness. I turned to face her, the shadows playing across her features. Her eyes searched mine, questioning.

“Chloe, I know we’re holding back for good reasons. A bunch of them, probably.”

“Right.”

I stepped forward, waiting to see if she would step back. Instead, she stood as still as stone. I breathed in her scent. I tried like hell to turn around and walk away. She needed space. She worked for me. She was my daughter’s nanny. She had pain she needed to deal with. All of those were reasons screaming at me to be the better man and leave her be.

But I couldn’t. Not anymore.

“Fuck it,” I breathed out, closing the space between us. My hands found her cheeks, gentle but eager, as my lips claimed hers.

The kiss was a flame that spread instantly, consuming all hesitation. Chloe’s arms wound around my neck, pulling me closer, her response fierce and sweet. Every brush of her lips against mine stoked the fire higher, until all thought was lost to the heat of our connection.

The touch of her against me, the heat of her body pressed against mine, was what I had fantasized about for weeks and somehow, in the cold night air, with only the moonlight as our witness, it was far even better than I could have ever imagined.

I slid my hands down her back, feeling the curve of her hips. A soft moan escaped her lips, spurring me on. I deepened thekiss, teasing her with my tongue, tasting this beautiful woman who had taken over my thoughts.

Chloe responded in kind, her tongue dancing with mine. God how I wanted her. Every fiber of my being ached for more.

A sudden burst of light tore through the darkness, pulling us apart and drawing our eyes skyward. Cascading colors exploded above us, showering the night in reds, greens, and golds. The booms echoed in my chest, reverberating through me like my own heartbeat. We watched the fireworks for only a moment before crashing together once more.

I lifted her, feeling her legs wrap around my waist, and held her against the cottage wall, devouring every inch of her. I could have kept going. Every fiber of my being wanted to keep going, but I knew I shouldn’t.

I pulled back, just enough to let her legs slide back down, and softened the kiss.

As we finally, reluctantly, parted, breathless and hearts racing, the fireworks overhead quickened for their sparkling finale.

“Mason . . .”

“I know,” I murmured. “I tried . . . I just can’t stay away from you anymore.”

“I don’t want you to.”

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