Page 149 of Set Me On Fire

“Love you.”

For a moment I thought I’d imagined what he said, but his head rolled on the pillow, a small wince making clear what that cost him. “Always have, Mills, but I figure now’s as good a time as any to say it. No matter what happens, where you are, or what you’re doing, I’ll always love you and that means coming home safe.”

“You better.” I straightened up then, staring at all three of them in turn. “Every single one of you. I don’t need heroes, I need…” God, it hurt so much and yet was a relief to finally say it. “I need you. I’ll always need you. Baby or no baby, I need this to last. The three of you, you set me on fire that night of the party, and I can’t find it in me to put it out.”

“Don’t.” Knox surged forward, taking my face in his hands. “Don’t you dare. I need you burning, because I’ve been doing the same since the moment I picked you up.”

His lips pressed to mine, but not for long enough, as Charlie shouldered forward.

“I, however, was trying to save your workplace from burning down, but…” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “While I might be slower on the uptake than these guys.” His blue eyes bore into mine. “Once I work out what I want, I stick to it. I’m in for the long haul, babe, whether you want me to or not, and while I might not be a wounded hero, I’m…” His hand stroked down my cheek. “I’m yours one hundred percent. I love you, Millie.”

“I love you too.”

That came out part laugh, part sob, and I think the nurses behind the glass of Noah’s room were a little confused. I kissed every single one of my guys, unable to stop myself. It was like the flood gates had opened. No, a bushfire rampaged through me. It burned away all the hurt and pain of what came before them, and just like the Australian bush, it left me with fertile soil to let things grow back better, stronger.

I went to that party looking for revenge, but got something so much better. A love that would keep on burning, no matter what.

I settled down finally, collapsing into the chair again, and that’s when Noah smiled.

“Did you read the email?” he asked me, no hint of pain in his expression. Fucking Dave had tried to ruin things for us, but it hadn’t worked.

“What email?” Knox asked, suddenly alert.

“We’re having a little girl.” Noah couldn’t have looked more pleased than if he was the one carrying our baby. “A little girl that will be as beautiful as her mother.”

OK, I was done. Stick a fork in me, because I couldn’t take any more today.

“A daughter…”

My hands shook as I grabbed my phone, then opened the email and read the test results.

Chapter 64

Noah

Several weeks later

Sick leave rocked when you got to spend the day in bed with the woman you loved. Knox and Charlie had been cleared to go back to work a week or so ago, giving me some primo Millie time. I woke up, still feeling pretty tired most days. Healing was going to take some time, the doctor’s said, and so Millie had given notice at the fire station.

Brent had protested, but when she told him that she intended to look after me, those complaints died away. So, just like almost every morning, I woke up to the feel of my girl’s body pressed into mine. That feeling, that knowledge that she was mine, would always be mine, it helped push away any pain I might be feeling. Well, that and the drugs they had me pumped full of. I opened my eyes and rolled over as far as I could without disturbing her, just to watch her sleep.

I never got to do so for long. Some sixth sense came online and her eyes were opening and gazing into mine.

I’d never get used to that, to being able to stare at her openly. I smiled as I watched her eyes start to focus, loving the way her focus sharpened, then softened, as she took me in.

“Are you hurting?” She was moving without thought, looking me over, and that had my arm going around her shoulders, dragging her right back to where she was.

“Not when you’re touching me.” I shot her a smile. “Better stay right where you are so I stay like that. You’re all the pain relief I need.”

“That’s not what your doctor said.”

I sighed as she rolled out of bed and grabbed the medication and a bottle of water sitting on the bedside table.

“Regular pain relief keeps it?—”

“From getting too intense,” I finished for her. There were no more words to have as she put the pills to my lips, then handed me the water to wash them down.

I didn’t need her to do this. I’d hurt my ribs, my back, but I could still move well enough to get my own meds. Couldn’t seem to bring myself to hate this, though. My arm went around her waist, hauling her in closer.

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