Page 18 of She's Got that Fire

Tearing my gaze away, I look around, but the only flower within reach is a bright, chunky dandelion. I pluck it, holding it out to her with a grin. "I promise that I'm going to learn how to do things right, the whole moonlight and roses stuff. But for now, you should know… I love you."

She blinks quickly, her bottom lip wobbling then she nods twice. Her gaze drops to the dandelion, then comes back to me.

My hand squeezes around her hip. "You don't have to —"

"I love you, too," she blurts. "True confession time, I've never loved anyone before. So I'm not gonna have a clue what I'm doing. But I do love you."

"It’s all new to me too, baby. We'll figure it out together, how does that sound?"

Opal sets the dandelion aside carefully on top of her camera bag. Then she leans in for a gentle, tender kiss full of promise and possibility. As her hands reach for the back of my shoulders, I scoop her against me, needing to feel her heart beating against mine.

This is real. It’s what I have always needed, but had no idea how to go about achieving.

The heat between us builds fast, our bodies moving together, mouths open, tongues searching, completely forgetting wherewe are until I hear a loud snort. We break apart as I turn toward the fence.

"Sure," Josh calls out. "I get cleanup duty, and you get the gorgeous blonde. How is that fair?"

"Be there in a minute," I call back.

Laughing, Opal snuggles into my shoulder. Then she jumps, sitting up straight. "Hey – if I were to sketch out my dream fire photography setup, could you tell me if it's possible?"

My hand drifts up and down her spine as I grin. "Better. I'll make it for you."

12

OPAL

* One Week Later *

What a complete whirlwind.

The mess of boxes in my bedroom looks a lot less intimidating now that I have them all stacked neatly in the corner. I've been packing on and off for two days. Luckily, I don't have a lot of things anyway.

I've been trying to spend a lot of time with Angie, since I'll be moving out in a few weeks. I've already helped her find a new roommate, and she certainly understands the situation.

I have not, however, broached the topic yet with Mom about me moving in with Liam so soon. Although, since she told me once that she moved in with dad after only knowing him for a week, I think she'll understand.

Of course, dad only stuck around for three years and then took off, but Liam is planted here in West Stoneburg like a tree.

Angie and I had a long chat last night. About men, and how some of them have wandering eyes, or wandering feet. Searching for something new all the time.

Not my man.

He wants permanence.

My eyes dart to the phone as a text pops up.

Liam: It's done. Can I pick you up in 10 minutes?

Make it 9? :)

Liam: Yes, ma'am.

On the drive to his place, it's nearly impossible to keep from peppering him with a million questions. As soon as I showed him my idea for a setup to shoot all different kinds of fire, and he agreed it was totally doable, he reiterated that he was building it himself and announced I was not allowed to come over to his house until it was completed.

This means he's putting my safety above sex. Which in itself is one of the sexiest things a man could possibly do.

As we pull into the driveway, Liam glances over at me with something I've never seen in his eyes before. Is that…nervousness? Shyness? Some kind of uncertainty that is not like him at all, anyway.

---