Page 58 of Flame's Fight

I release a nervous chuckle because her expression is one of pure anger. It reminds me of the look she had on her face after coming out of the interview with Detective Billings. And here I swore never to give her a reason to look at me like that. I open my top drawer and pull out the small black box. When I turn, I shift it behind me as I step back toward her. Kneeling in front of her, I pry her left hand off of her arm to kiss her knuckles, specifically the space that will hopefully no longer be bare ever again.

“Brooke. You are my life, my everything. I never knew how much I needed you until I lost you. My world is bleak without you in it.” I release her hand to open the box to reveal the engagement ring I had made for her. The center is an emerald cut sapphire the same color as her eyes, surrounded by small square diamonds. Dante found a talented woman to create Tally’s ring, so I went to her, looking for the perfect ring for Brooke. The minute I saw the sapphire, I knew it belonged on her finger. Seeing the tears welling in those eyes tells me I made the right call.

“Oh, Aaron, it’s gorgeous.” Brooke whispers as she caresses the ring.

“Will you marry me?” I ask her, and her eyes snap to mine.

“Of course. I said I would, didn’t I?” she asks.

I chuckle as I slip the ring on her finger. “Yeah, you did.” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “I love you so much, baby. Thank you for saying yes.”

“I love you, too. Thank you for asking me.” She says. “Now, can I finish giving you that blow job?”

I bark out a laugh as I swing her up into my arms. “Only if I get to feast on your pussy.” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes. “If you have to.” She says grinning.

I lay on the bed and pull her pussy onto my face while she sucks my cock into her mouth. This. This is the difference between just sex and making love. The overwhelming joy at just being with someone. The need to give them pleasure that exceeds your need to receive it. But even more, it’s having fun while you pleasure each other.

EPILOGUE: BROOKE

After we’re done feasting on each other, we lay snuggled close in bed. My face rests on his chest, our legs intertwined. He has his left hand possessively on my ass while using his right forefinger to caress my arm. “I can’t believe I almost lost this.” I tell him, snuggling closer, even though there is no space between us.

“We haven’t spoken about your kleptomania.” He says, causing me to flinch. He pulls me close. “Don’t. We can beat this together. You aren’t alone, and I will never judge you. Have you found a therapist or someone to help you?”

“I talked with Tanya. She’s asked her therapist for suggestions. Athena specializes in assault victims, but she knows other therapists, ones that help those with compulsive disorders like mine.” I tell him.

“If you need my help or ever need to talk.” He offers, and I grin.

“I know where to find you.” I smile up at him. “Thank you. I know therapy will help, but I haven’t ignored the problem. I know the triggers, so I work to avoid them.”

“Like, what triggers?” He asks.

“For me, it’s stress. If I have a bad day at work, I sometimes get the urge. It’s almost like a release valve. But then the consequences are so much worse that it turns into a vicious circle.”

“I know they have group meetings for family and friends of alcoholics. Do they have something similar that I could attend?”

I sit up and look down into the face of the man I love. My hero. I don’t realize I’m crying until he uses his thumb to brush away my tears. “You’d do that?” I ask in a whisper.

“Sweetheart, I’ll do whatever I can to take care of you. To take care of us. I love you, and I want you to be happy.”

I snuggle back into him. “I’ll find out.” I tell him.

“I’ll also look.” He assures me.

Fuck, how did I get so lucky?

I must drift off because the next thing I know, it’s morning. Tanya, Ashlyn and I all ride on the back of the guys’ bikes. I feel like this is going to be a common occurrence for the six of us. I’ve always liked Ashlyn, which is good because she is Flame’s sister and will one day be my sister-in-law. But finding Tanya is a bonus. I know she and Ghost are still feeling their way into a relationship. I hope they work out because she’s fast becoming one of my favorite people.

The dojo owned by Ghost’s uncle is next door to a gym. At this time of day, the gym is not busy. It is too early for those who work out during their lunch break. The guys park out front of the dojo and Ghost leads us inside. The space is open, so it’s airy and bright. A counter sits off to the side with a variety of merchandise for sale behind the counter. A young woman with pretty almond eyes and black hair sits behind the counter. She waves at Ghost as he takes us further inside.

Standing near a wall of mirrors is a man dressed in a white gi watches us enter. Ghost moves forward, clasping his fists together and bows. The man returns the gesture before drawing Ghost into a hug. The two are about the same height, but Ghost has more muscle mass than the leaner man.

“Sensei, these are my friends.” Ghost says, introducing each of us to the man. “This is my uncle, Wei Yan.”

We all bow to him, and he returns our gesture with a smile.

“I understand from Dailin that you three have all faced foes and defeated them in battle.” Wei says with a small bow. “Commendable. You are all warriors. He has asked that I show you some techniques to assist you in any future battles.”

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