Page 105 of Frozen Flames

“I’ve never done…reckless things like that that. I’ve never been on a motorcycle either,” she says, deep in thought.

“Would you ever ride on one?”

“Probably not,” she tells me honestly.

I like her answer.

I like that I don’t have to worry about her needing something I’ll never be able to give her. With Gemma, I expected her to miss the bike life. I should’ve known it’d only be a matter of time before she ended up on one.

“Well, that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t recommend it,” I joke.

On Thursday, Gemma texts me to thank me for the drawing I gave her. I got the text after training with Claire and chose not to reply. It still did something to me—seeing Gemma’s nameappear on my phone, knowing she cared enough about my gift to text me.

It means something to me.

But so does she, so does the woman standing in front of me.

Despite the pain post-breakup, I can’t imagine not seeing Claire or hearing her laugh or seeing her cheeks blush.

“You kicked my ass today,” I tell Claire.

The training keeps me out of bed and helps keep the demons at bay—at least during the day. Since the beginning, she’s gradually, slowly, yet intensively taken me from point A to point B, which has helped my physicality.

“I upgraded a few things.” She winks, staring at me with her big doe eyes.

The sight makes me want to melt in her hands.

And desperately makes me want to kiss her stupid.

Claire

Things are better than I could’ve imagined. Spring is right around the corner, and the blasting rays of sunlight make me feel good.

I can’t wait for summer.

I can’t wait to settle in the backyard with a book in hand.

I’m wearing black leggings and a long white blouse for work, with simple gold jewelry to match, happy to dress in lighter pieces of clothing as the weather warms.

“So, I have an idea,” I tell Harvey on Friday morning. I open the blinds in his room to let the sun in after training.

He showered and looks all cozy in his loose gray muscle tee and sweatpants. It’s obvious he’s regained some muscle.

“Oh no,” Harv teases me.

“Let’s clean your room,” I suggest, sitting on his bed.

He chuckles. “That excites you way too much.”

“Maybe.” I shrug. “Though I’m sure you’ll appreciate it too,” I reply, leaning back a little.

“Alright, I’m convinced.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, let’s do this, ” he says with a big smile on his face.

God, this man.

---