Page 129 of Fire and Icing

I nod. How did he know?

We say our goodbyes and Dustin walks me out to his truck.

Back home, we separate to change into sweats. I make us some tea.

When I come back into the front room, carrying two mugs, Dustin pats the couch next to him. He’s got a movie on with the volume low.

I take the seat he offered and before long, I’m leaning back on Dustin, feeling so comfortable and relaxed I could fall asleep like this.

“Tonight was nice,” I say in a drowsy voice.

“It was. This is my favorite part.”

“Of the whole night?” I twist so I’m sitting across his lap and I can look into his face.

“I loved seeing where you grew up. I like picturing you in all those places—as a little girl. And the food at Waterford Pantry was amazing. I’ll eat there again for sure. And I liked being a part of the town gathering and learning to line dance. But what I like best is being here, just the two of us, cozied up in our sweats.”

I smile because this is my favorite part of the night too.

His arms are around me, and I’m not pretending I don’t like it anymore. I’m not building pillow barriers or keeping him safely at a distance. I’m curled into him, one leg draped over his, my cheek against his chest, his fingers tracing lazy lines up and down my spine. There’s a hum beneath my skin—familiar and new, all at once. Like my body’s finally allowed to want what it’s wanted for too long. And even more than that, my heart is free to feel everything I feel for Dustin.

It’s easy. Which is wild, because nothing about getting here was.

I shift just enough to glance up at him. He’s already watching me, his eyes soft and tired in the best way, like he feels the shift between us as much as I do and he’s finally able to relax into this sweetness we’re sharing.

“You’re staring,” I whisper.

His smile is slow and quiet. “Yeah. I am. I stared at you all night. That dress. Your lipstick. Your hair. The way you smiled atme over dinner. The laughter on the swings. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

I rest my hand on his chest, right over his heartbeat. “This doesn’t feel real yet. It’s too good.”

“It is—very real.”

“I know.” I bite my bottom lip. “I just … I think I forgot what this feels like.” I pause and shake my head. “No. That’s all wrong. I never felt this before.”

I tuck my head under his chin as soon as the confession leaves my mouth.

He softly runs his hand down my hair. “I’ve never felt this either. Nothing close.”

I tip my head up again so I can look into those brilliant blue eyes of his.

I kiss him on his jaw. His stubble makes my lips tingle.

He moves his mouth down to meet mine and when we connect, it’s not a spark—it’s a flame already burning. Dustin kisses me like he’s home. His kiss is both comfortable and claiming.

There’s no rush. No trying to prove anything. Just this slow, steady rhythm between us. His lips move against mine with a tenderness I didn’t know I needed. My hand finds the back of his neck, fingers slipping into his hair, anchoring myself to him and to this moment.

Dustin’s mouth opens just slightly, deepening the kiss—not desperate, just certain. Like he knows me. Like he’s not going anywhere.

I nearly cry at the realization. He’s the kind of man who sticks around, buying donuts every other day, showing up for the contest, waiting for me to be ready.

Our kiss lingers, Dustin moves so he’s kissing my neck, placing his mouth right next to my ear and kissing the soft spot beneath it on my neck. I shiver in response. He chuckles low.

But then his mouth is back on mine, and the world, the sound of a dog barking outside in the neighborhood, the hum of the refrigerator—it all falls away. It’s just this. Just him. Just us. Just the kind of kiss that whispers things no words can contain.

When we pull apart, he places a kiss on my forehead and then I curl up on him like a cat in the sunshine, content to be where I’m safe and warm.

Chapter 28

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