Page 116 of Fire and Icing

I clear my throat.Come on, Emberleigh. You can do this. “I … well … you see … My answer is yes.”

A slow smile spreads across Dustin’s mouth. “Yes to what?”

“You know what.”

“I might. But I’m one who needs things spelled out for me. I don’t recall asking you a question. So I’ll need you to make it clear what you’re saying to me, Em.”

Em. He never shortened my name before, and I like it.

His mouth breaks into a full smile.

He knows.

I know he knows.

He’s pushing me, but not out of spite or arrogance. He knows I need to give him permission. He’s walking me up to the place I need to go. Holding my hand until I let go and leap.

Syd’s voice rings through my head.

It’s not ideal to have a third wheel in the mix, but she’s nudging me forward.

“I … well … you said you’d sign up for more if I’d let you.” I look up at him, holding his gaze as I finish my thought. “I’m going to let you. It’s a yes.”

Dustin’s smile grows wider, if that’s even possible.

Then he steps toward me so only an inch or two separates us.

“So, I can do things like this?” he asks, brushing a hair out of my face and gently tucking it behind my ear.

“Mm hmm.” I swallow hard.

“And I can engage in unnecessary touching?” he asks with a mischievous glint to his eyes.

“Mm hmm.”

He tucks his hand along the small of my back and tugs me closer.

“And I could kiss you. If I wanted to?”

“If you wanted to.”

“I do.” He says it so softly, I melt a little.

Dustin is incredibly strong, and not just physically. He’s a presence. Despite being playful and boyish, he’s all man.Rugged, powerful, a true hero. He literally saves lives for a living. Where I’ve lived my life carefully and inside the lines, he’s continually barging over them like an overgrown puppy. I’ve been consumed by fear. He doesn’t even know what the word means. And right now, he’s restraining himself and channeling all his intensity into an incredibly tender and careful approach.

I’m so up in my head, I nearly forget the palm splayed over my back until he tugs me just a little.

He brings his pointer finger up and taps my temple. “Turn this off for a minute.”

“I don’t know if I know how,” I admit.

“I’ll help you,” he says.

His hand lifts and he tips my jaw upward. And then his lips are on mine, not in a consuming way, not with any sort of pressure or demand. He’s brushing his lips over mine and my whole body tingles in response.

I lift my arms from my sides and wrap them around him. He interprets my movement as the invitation it is and his mouth meets mine again. This time, he’s less constrained. His free hand moves from my chin to the back of my neck.

Something snaps in me—it’s the last tether to my fear. My hesitation is out the window. All that matters in the whole world is this man and our first real kiss. I run my fingers through his hair and he moans low in his throat. I smile into our kiss and he nips my lip with his teeth. He kisses that spot on my lips and I lean into him, letting him know I’m all in. I’m not holding back anymore. Not one molecule in my body is faking anything with this amazing man.

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