Page 74 of Love Me Fierce

Thinking about you

Thinking about you too

Sleep okay?

Took me a while to stop replaying our time together

My pulse jumps.

Not sorry

Very funny. How was your night?

Rough. I wanted you here so I could hold you

The dots dance, then stop. What is she thinking right now? When can I get her alone again? How far can I step into the flames with this girl, and not get burned? Her reply finally arrives.

You lost sleep because of that?

And other things

Are you trying to get me worked up? It’s not even noon

I feel like crowing from the roof because hell yes I’m trying to get her worked up. Before I can think of a way to ask her to come over tonight so we can pick up where we left off last night when she calls.

“Morning,” I say.

“Morning,” she says with a hint of laughter. “What are you guys up to today?”

From upstairs, I hear the water running in the bathroom. Logan brushing his teeth. “Homework. Then we’ll probably play catch, run a few errands. What about you and Mateo?”

The fire in the woodstove crackles in the background. “Matty’s still asleep, so I’m getting in some work.”

I frown. “Like for the clinic?”

“No, it’s just some temporary work I took on.”

I want to ask more about this, but she continues, “Is there someplace I can chop kindling?”

“Are you out? Why didn’t you call me?”

“You’d drive all the way out here for a kindling emergency?”

“I’d drive faster for a kissing emergency.”

She laughs softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll get Dad to bring up kindling today.”

“Thank you.” I picture her sitting on the overstuffedchair watching the colors warm outside the big windows. It makes me want to be there with her. Maybe I’m the one having a kissing emergency.

“We’re visiting a rental property today,” she says, drawing me back to my kitchen.

I respect that she’s trying to take care of the situation for her and Matty as best she can, but it doesn’t mean I like her leaving Ruby Gulch. “Does this mean you’re not going back to The Meadows?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure I can break my lease yet. But if I stay, will I feel safe?”

I want to fix this for her. To keep her from feeling threatened again. Ever.

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