Page 165 of Burn the Wild

For the first time in my life, I believe it.

In the blue moonlight of our bedroom, I stare at the text from Gavin.

Say goodbye to summer, Reese. Soon, you’ll be home.

It feels like a threat.

It is.

I screw my eyes shut. The black hole above me pulses as memories surface of Gavin pulling me from the tub.You’ll never leave me, Reese. Never.

When I open my eyes, I glance at Ford sleeping beside me. His face boyish and sweet. One big arm under the pillow, the other possessively tossed over my waist.

Carefully, I slip from Ford’s tight grasp and slip out of bed. I change, then pad barefoot to the door. Hand on the knob, I look back over my shoulder at Ford.

I made a promise to tell him when I need the water. To trust him. And I do trust this man. I can’t remember a time I trusted someone so fully. With my entire soul.

Thanks to him, I’m in therapy. I know how to balance a checkbook. I’ve reclaimed my life. Acknowledged my past.

He doesn’t tell me to be less. He looks at me from across the room and tells me to do more. He accepts me for exactly who I am. He tells me I am enough. And if I can’t be enough, he’s enough for both of us.

I love him so damn much.

I tiptoe back to bed. “Ford,” I whisper, shaking his shoulder. “Ford, wake up.”

He blinks, lifts his head. “Birdie, what is it? You okay?”

My heart clenches at the sound of his raspy voice.

“I can’t sleep. I need the water.”

It’s all I need to say.

Rousing, he pushes up on his shoulder. Eyes never shifting from mine, he scrubs a hand down his face, then grabs his jeans. “Let’s go.”

Reese glances over her shoulder as she wades into the water. Her defiant gaze says,Yes, see me.

I stand on the sandy bank of the lake with worry churning in my stomach, but I let her go.

Reese held up her end of the deal and trusted me enough to tell me. Trusted me enough to let me see her sadness.

And I do.

Every beautiful part of her.

She melts into the water, her blonde hair spreading out behind her. Christ, she looks like a goddess, ethereal in the moonlight. The curves of her silhouette. Her long golden hair…

My heart clenches.

She swims to the center of the lake. With a laugh, she spins around to face me. Teasing smile on her face, she strips out of her slip. Blood rushes to my cock.

I see what she wants.

To go after her.

Like I always fucking will.

I strip off my jeans and swim toward her, hissing a breath at the icy water. Her green eyes meet mine, light and vibrant and beckoning.

---