Page 73 of Wine and Research
Those same emotions burned in her chest as she slid her arms around him and kissed him back, baring her soul, giving him everything.
Scared out of her mind, and unsure if it was smart to tempt fate, Elle, knew there was no way she could actually walk away from this man.
He was her heart. Her soul. Her lifeline.
In his arms, she felt safe, loved. She felt everything.
A few moments later, they broke for air, and he drew her in tight.
“Thanks for giving us a chance.”
She squeezed him just as tightly. “I’m not going to lie. I’m really scared.”
He kissed her temple and crushed her closer. “So am I. But I’m more afraid of losing you now than in the future.”
She nodded. “I don’t want to lose you, ever.”
After another kiss to her temple, he drew back to catch her gaze. “The last thing I want to do is rush you, but since you’re already packed, how would you feel about moving in with me?”
Shock raised her brows, then joy shot through her with a tinge of anxiety. “I’d say chances are good. But are you sure? I don’t want to cramp your style. You’re used to living alone, not sharing your space.”
“The best times I’ve had in my house were when I shared it with you,” he said with an earnestness that warmed her heart. “It was more than evident last night. It was damn cold without you, Elle. Too damn cold. You’re a part of me. The best part.”
Since it had been a warm spring night, she knew he wasn’t talking about the temperature. She also knew what he’d meant. “I hated it.”
Elle shoved her hands through his hair and brought his mouth down on hers, kissing him with all the emotions coursing through her. He crushed her close and she soaked in his strength and love, asking fate to please let her have a life with him, because she couldn’t, wouldn’t walk away this time.
After a few, long, amazing moments, she reluctantly drew back, needing air. “I look forward to not being cold tonight,” she said between breaths.
He lifted a hand to tenderly caress her cheek, all while he stared lovingly into her eyes. “You’ll never be cold again, Elle. Ever.”
Wanting desperately to believe him, she pushed thoughts of her curse aside, and turned her head to kiss his palm. “Neither will you.”
If she started to believe what he said and repeated what he said often enough, then maybe she could will them into existence. After all, she was pretty stubborn.
With that gameplan in mind, she allowed joy and hope to seep into her heart.
Jeremy tenderly kissed the freckles on her nose and cheek. “What do you say we celebrate with some wine tonight?”
“Sounds perfect.” Elle grinned and leaned into him. “You read my mind. You. Me. Wine…”
He winked. “And somein depthresearch.”
Epilogue
One month later, Elle was sitting with Faith in her backyard, watching another riveting basketball match between the police and shirtless firefighters. Jenna ran inside to get them all a quick refill of sangria even though the game was almost over.
“So, how long do you think it will take before she wears Scott down?” Faith asked, her gaze on a certain, shirtless, muscled firefighter who also made a killer pizza.
She smiled. “Not sure. Took me over a year with Jeremy.”
Faith snorted. “No, honey. Took you like a week once you decided to go for it.”
“True.” Elle laughed, and her body warmed remembering their first week and lack of sleep. “Well, Jenna’s not doing too bad today. That halter dress she’s wearing that you suggested she buy, is definitely getting her some looks. And not just from Scott.”
Poor guy was passing around more dirty looks than he passed the basketball.
Faith grinned. “I know. He doesn’t look too pleased, does he?”
