Page 17 of Curvy Girl and the Firefighter Chief

How do I tell her that she's completely transformed my world in less than a day? That I can't stop thinking about her? That I want to protect her and possess her in equal measure?

She's looking up at me expectantly, her lips slightly parted, and I swear the temperature in the hallway rises several degrees. My hand is still on her waist, and I can feel her pulse racing under my fingers.

All it would take is one step forward, one moment of bravery different from the kind I use every day as a firefighter. One chance to show her exactly what she's doing to me.

But am I ready to take that risk? And more importantly, is she?

I don't have enough words to tell her what I'm feeling, but when she gently opens the door and asks, "What is it, Luke?" I know it's now or never.

I step forward, but she surprises me before I can form the words.

"Do you want to come in? We can continue talking inside."

I nod, though talking is the last thing on my mind right now. All I can think about is kissing her, claiming her, making her mine. I want to hear her say she belongs to me, that she's not going anywhere.

The room feels smaller with both of us in it. She sits on the bed, and I join her, feeling like a nervous teenager again. I haven't felt this way in over twenty years, and it's both terrifying and exhilarating.

"You said my name earlier," she prompts softly. "But didn't finish."

"I..." I stumble over my words. "You're so much younger than me, Stella."

"I know that," she says, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Why are you bringing that up now?"

"I just... our life experiences are so different. We probably wouldn't have much to talk about beyond—"

She huffs and falls backward onto the bed, arms stretched above her head. Her breasts move with the motion, and I have to force myself to look away.

"Are you trying to let me down gently, or are you just scared of whatever this is between us?"

I swallow hard. "I wasn't expecting you to be so direct."

"Well, one of us has to be," she says, still staring at the ceiling. "Otherwise, we'll stay in this weird limbo forever. Besides," she adds, "Sadie seems convinced you feel something for me, so I'm taking a chance."

I can't help but smile at the mention of my daughter.

"Sadie's a good kid. Very perceptive, just not about herself."

"You mean about Kane?" She turns her head to look at me. "You might be surprised. I'm pretty sure he's not as uninterested as he acts."

My eyes widen. "Are you sure? I always thought he had no interest in dating anyone."

"Men say that a lot until they meet the right person," she says knowingly. "And he looks at Sadie way too often to be uninterested."

"I never noticed," I admit. "I wouldn't mind it, though. Yes, she's younger, but Kane's a good man. He'd treat her right." I sigh. "But Kane's too in his head. He won't give anyone a chance until he accepts that he deserves happiness."

Stella's hand finds my arm, "What about you? Are you ready to accept happiness?"

I look at her. She's spread across the bed like an offering, her lips glossy, her neck exposed. It's torture, pure and simple. I can't take it anymore.

Instead of answering, I clench my fist and lean forward, closing my eyes and running my tongue across my chapped lips before pressing them against her soft ones.

The moment our lips meet, everything else fades away. All my doubts, all my protests about age differences and life experiences – none of it matters.

The only thing that matters is Stella - her taste, her feeling, and her small gasp against my mouth.

I realize this is what I was born to do—not just be a firefighter but be here, with her, claiming what's mine.

And god help anyone who tries to take her away from me.

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