Page 12 of The Firefighter's Angel
I reach over, tucking one of those wild curls behind her ear. She startles slightly at the touch, then leans into it.
“You’re somethin’ else, darlin’,” I murmur, my thumb trailing down her jaw. “Swear to God.”
Her grin softens. She pops a Twizzler between her lips, biting down, and giggles. “You think I’m weird now, don’t you?”
“I think you’re…perfect,” I say, my voice dropping to a whisper.
For a second, neither of us says anything. The air shifts again. Thicker. Heavy with something neither of us knows how to name.
And then reality edges in.
It’s getting late and the skies are darkening. I should be thinking about doing the responsible thing and getting her back to her family…even if every muscle in my body rebels at the thought.
I don’t want to take her back.
I don’t want to let her go. Not now. Maybe not ever.
Before I can think better of it, the words spill out of my mouth. “Come home with me, Cindy.”
Chapter Five
Cindy
Wait. Did…did Daniel really just ask me to come with him? To his home?
For a full second, I think I imagined it. I stare at him, trying to read his expression, but there’s no hint of teasing in his dark, rugged face. His hand is resting on my knee, thumb brushing gentle strokes over my skin like he has every right to touch me. Like I’m already his.
The smart, cautious part of me whispers that I should say no. That I don’t know this man. That he’s older. That this is reckless.
But that part gets absolutely steamrolled by the louder, wilder voice in my head. The one that’s been growing stronger ever since he scooped me up off that logging road.
The one that says,You’re safe with him. You belong with him.
The alternative? Going back to the rental house. To my mom pretending everything’s fine. To Lenny being oblivious. To Lyle…
Nope. No way in hell.
I grab my phone from my bag, my thumbs shaking slightly as I type out a quick text:Hey, Mom. I’m fine. Staying somewhere safe. I’ll be back tomorrow.
That’s all she gets. I don’t owe them more than that.
Having read the text over my shoulder, Daniel’s already pulling back onto the road by the time I hit send, steering the truck toward what I can only assume is his place. His cabin. His…whatever it is.
The drive is quiet but not awkward. Comfortable, almost. He keeps glancing over at me like he’s checking to make sure I haven’t disappeared. Like maybe this feels as surreal to him as it does to me.
Fifteen minutes later, the trees open up into a clearing and my breath catches.
Oh. My. God.
Nestled at the edge of a sloping hill is the most perfect cabin I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s simple, sturdy wood with a metal roof, but it looks clean and well-tended. A wide wraparound porch overlooks a rushing creek, and behind it, the mountains rise up like something out of a painting.
It’s magical.
The truck rumbles to a stop, and before I can even think about unbuckling, Daniel’s already out, striding around to my side. The door swings open and he scoops me out of the seat like I weigh nothing.
“Whoa—!” I squeal, laughing. “You really have a thing for carrying me around, huh?”
“Damn right I do,” he says with a wicked smile as he shuts the door with his boot. “Might as well get used to it, baby.”
