Page 15 of The Hotshot's Prize
He tosses me a protein bar and rips into one of his own. We eat with our backs against the cave wall, watching the rain roll down in waves beyond the mouth of the cave. Thunder grumbles far off, low and steady, like the mountains themselves are talking.
“I’ve never seen a storm from a cave before,” I say quietly. “It’s kind of amazing.”
“Better than seeing it from a ledge,” he says, nudging me with his shoulder.
I smirk. “I’ll give you that.”
A companionable silence settles between us, and it’s a while before I speak again. “Why do it?”
“What?”
“Your job…” I smile apologetically. “I mean, it’s pretty intense stuff—running into wildfire and all that. Most people run from it.”
“I don’t know…maybe I’m an adrenaline junky?” He shrugs, the movement too casual. I know that’s not the real reason.
I roll my eyes playfully. “Be serious.”
He glances down at his hands. “My dad was a firefighter. Great guy. Lost him when I was fifteen…in a wildfire. He died saving a teammate.”
My heart aches. “Zack…”
“It’s okay,” he says, though his smile is sad. “He was a hero. Always wanted to help people. I guess I…wanted to live up to that.”
I touch his arm. “You are.”
He swallows hard. “I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really doing enough. Or if I’m just chasing ghosts.”
I shift closer and take his hand, our fingers twining together. “You saved me. Doesn’t get more real than that.”
He looks at me as if he’s seeing me for the first time, and as if he’s known me forever. Like I’m something important to him.
My throat tightens.
“You’re dangerous,” he whispers, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek.
I smile. “Why’s that?”
“Because I wasn’t looking for anything. Not a girl. Not a distraction. But then you—” He shakes his head, smiling wryly. “Here we are. I feel like I’m already addicted to you.”
I lean my head on his shoulder. “Me too.”
He wraps an arm around me and pulls me closer, kissing the top of my head. We sit like that for a long time. In silence.
It doesn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable.
It feels like home…like a missing piece of a puzzle finally sliding into place.
***
I wake to the sound of quiet breathing and the distant roar of the storm. Despite the weather, I’m surrounded by warmth, thick, solid, and steady. Zack’s arm is heavy around my waist, his leg draped over my thighs. I’m completely enclosed by him.
And I don’t want to move. Not even an inch.
His hand is splayed across my stomach, his thumb brushing lightly against the fabric of my shirt with each rise and fall of my breath. I curl my fingers around his forearm, marveling at the way his muscles feel beneath my touch. So powerful, yet so gentle last night.
God.
Last night.
