Page 106 of Ink and Ashes
“I’m scared, Colson. What if I can’t figure this out?”
“Hey.” He instantly steps closer, brushing my hair behind my ear. “I know what I just said, but don’t think like that. You’ve been nothing but determined since you got here, even with everyone in town pushing you away. It feels like we’re stuck, but I have no doubt that you will get to the bottom of this. Don’t start questioning yourself now.”
I smile sadly. “I’ve been questioning myself since I arrived.”
“You have?” His brows pull together. “Why?”
I let out a sigh, keeping my eyes trained on the app floor. “After everything happened back home, I started wondering if I was really cut out for this job. And with the constant circles this guy has us running in, that feeling has only gotten stronger. I’ve lost my light, and I don’t know how to get it back.”
He tilts my head up to look at him, and I inhale sharply as his weighted stare connects with mine. His hand cups my cheek as he leans in close. “You don’t need to get it back because it’s not gone. I see your light, Holland. You burn so bright. Brighter than any fire I’ve ever fought. You just can’t see it right now because you’ve spent too long living in the shadows.”
My tongue darts out over my lips, and his gaze tracks the motion. His thumb sweeps gently over my cheek while his other hand grips my waist, pulling me closer. I inhale sharply. This tension has been simmering between us for weeks, and the harder we fight it, the closer it gets to boiling over.
The two of us are like fire and paper. Eventually, one is bound to burn the other to ash. And yet, neither of us seem to be able to ignore the spark floating between us.
Before I give myself a chance to think twice about what I’m doing, I push up on my tiptoes and touch my lips to his. Except Colson doesn’t move. His entire body tenses and he stands there, frozen with our lips pressed together.
Realizing what I’ve done, I pull myself away and take a step backward. I’ve been the one persistent in keeping things friendly between us, yet here I am crossing that very line.
“I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Oh, God. I’m sorry?—”
“It’s okay, Red,” Colson says calmly.
I vaguely notice him taking a step closer to me again as I start pacing. “Let’s just forget that happened. I was caught up in the moment and you were saying nice things?—”
“Holland,” he adds, but my mouth continues to move.
“It’s been a long time since someone has seen me the way you see me and?—”
“Holland,” he emphasizes, cupping my face to force my attention back to him. “Stop talking.”
“I’m sor—” I start, but before I can finish my thought, he bends down and seals his lips over mine.
Holy shit.He’skissingme.Again. And it’s even better than it was the first time.
He grips my waist as I let myself relax into him, kissing him back. My hands make their way around his neck to tangle in his hair as his tongue swipes over my lip. I grant him entry, letting out a moan as our tongues dance against each other. A groan rumbles from his chest when I tug on the hair at the nape of his neck, and blood rushes to my core from that sound alone.
He breaks the kiss but keeps his forehead pressed to mine, our chests rising and falling in synchrony as he says, “I saidstop talking.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
His lips quirk up into a smile as he shakes his head. “You’re a terrible listener.”
I bite my lip with a smile. “Maybe I just want you to shut me up again.”
He holds my stare a moment longer before giving me what I want.
The kiss isn’t rushed, but it isn’t soft either. It’s hot, it’s passionate, and it’s the kind of kiss I’ve longed for my whole life. His grasp on my waist tightens while our mouths stay fused together, exploring each other in a heated dance. I don’t even notice we’re walking until my back presses against cool metal—the fire truck, I would guess. I let out a moan as he pins me between himself and the truck, keeping my body pressed tightly against his.
“Holland,” he rasps, but I don’t have a chance to respond before he’s kissing me again. I drag my nails over his scalp, sending a shudder up his spine, and he smiles against my mouth.
“More,” I beg, gasping for air.
Colson shakes his head. “I can’t. Not here.” He pulls back further to look at me. “But when we get home tonight, you’re mine.”
Home. It’s been a long time since I had one of those.
“I like the sound of that.” I smile, wrapping my fingers inhis shirt. “Except you and I both know you probably won’t be coming home tonight.”
