Page 54 of Frozen Flames

“Trapped. I feel trapped.” It’s the first word that comes to mind. “And I don’t mean just physically. Mentally, I feel stuck—like there’s no way forward.”

Every time I do, I end up five steps back.

“That’s sad,” she says, pondering my answer. “I know it doesn’t measure up to yoursituation, but my illness has stopped me in life too, compared to others. You can’t win either way. I’m sure people look at you and pity you.” Her brow knits together like,Tell me I’m wrong. “And with an invisible illness, if they see you having a good day, they expect it all the time. It’s hard to explain, but I feel as if people think I’m faking sometimes.”

“At least you have your family there for you. I’m sure they believe you.”

She doesn’t seem convinced. “Yeah…I hope so. Sometimes I think even for them I’m too much.”

“Nah. Perhaps they’re going through their own stuff…”

“I guess that’s possible.” Her smile falters, and I notice Dylan’s name pop up on her phone screen. “Ugh. I can do much better than him, and he needs to be reminded of that.” She gets up as Claire walks back over to us, shaking her head at her sister’s comment.

“I’ll be in another room,” Audrey tells us, making herself at home.

“There’s a slice of pizza left and some pop…for Gemma if she wants.” Claire swallows as she says this, and I know why.

This isn’t like in the beginning when we would talk about Gemma freely.

Things are different now, and we know it.

“Thanks, I’ll let her know.” I check the time—it’s late again. “If she comes home.” I roll my eyes.

She’s taken aback by my comment. “She doesn’t come home often?”

“She does.” I look away. “Though pretty late. She works a lot of overtime.”

“Well…maybe it’s her job.” She bites her lip. “Perhaps it’s demanding,” she adds.

I turn to face her and stare into those doe eyes that make me want to fuck her so bad, it’s killing me to stay away from her.

“Do you really believe that?”

She glances at the backyard, and I wait for her answer. “I don’t know,” she whispers. “She certainly dressesdifferentlythan when she first started this job, and she seems happier, but that could be because of a lot of things. Why don’t you ask her if you’re worried?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure she’d be honest with me even if I asked.”

She touches my arm, her chair next to mine. Her hand is so soft on my skin, it’s like a burn.

Except it’s not a bad burn—it’s magical.

I’m out of my wheelchair, and it’s nice to have a conversation this way.

Claire leans her head on my shoulder, and I know I’m doomed. My heart is pounding, my hands are sweaty, and I feel nervousness in the pit of my stomach.

When she looks up, I fall into the abyss of her dark eyes.

“Oh, Harvey…”

The next thing I know, her hands grasp my neck as her lips touch mine. It’s a feverish kiss, an urgent one—demanding every cell in my body to feel it.

And I don’t hold back.

My mind completely blanks, and all my focus is on her soft lips, her feminine fingers ruffling through my hair. She’s pulling at it as if she wants answers about the universe and I’m the only one who can provide them.

My hand grabs her by the jaw to pull her closer to me, to remove any inch of space between us.

I’m starving for her. I’m thirsty for her kisses. I’m dying for her spirit.

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