Page 39 of Light My Fire Three Times
His lips are silky, but there’s heat underneath them, a quiet intensity that makes my heart race. His hands find my waist, pulling me closer, and suddenly, everything else fades away.
It's just the two of us in this small town, under the stars, next to a fountain that might as well be made for moments like this.
It’s perfect.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jesse
NOVEMBER 18TH
It’s been a long day.Not just at work, but also during the Christmas shopping season. But Ihaveto get the perfect gifts for my nieces and nephew, don’t I?
Still, it’s been stressful. So, a walk in the park feelsright.
Just a moment in the fresh air, to clear my head.
At least, that’s what I was looking for…
Until I seethem.
Olivia and Karl.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I know she’s sticking around now and that she has a coffee truck. I also know Karl met her at Halloween, and he’s sure as hell a charming guy, butthis…
But seeing them together, standing in the park… I don’t know what it is, but it hits me hard like a ton of bricks.
And then it happens.
He steps a little closer, and without warning, theykiss.
Right there. In the middle of the park. Under the damn stars.
My heart stops. Time seems to slow down. The entire world has just hit pause.
It’s not a quick peck. No, it’s deep. It’s intimate. It’s real. And it hits me harder than I expected—a sucker punch straight to the chest.
My mouth goes dry, and all the air in my lungs is gone in an instant.
I stand frozen, unable to move or breathe. My body’s on autopilot, but my mind? It’s running at full speed, trying to process what just happened.
Olivia. Kissing Karl.
A thousand thoughts shoot through my head, but none of them make sense. I’ve told myself I don’t care. That I’ve moved on, that it’s just a fling, that this is her new town, her new life. But seeing it, witnessing it with my own eyes, it shatters every damn defense I’ve built up.
I should’ve turned around, walked away. But instead, my legs carry me forward, faster than I can think.
I storm toward them, not even trying to hide the anger in my eyes. My fists are clenched so tight I can feel my nails digging into my palms. My throat’s tight, and my lungs are about to collapse.
They don’t notice me at first. Of course not. Olivia’s still got her eyes closed, and Karl? That smug bastard already has a grin on his face so wide I want to punch it off instantly.
Then Olivia finally notices. Her eyes flicker open, and she freezes, the blood draining from her face.
I don’t give a damn.
I stop in front of them, not even trying to hide the fury that’s been building up since I first saw them.
“Hey,Livvy,” I snap. “Nice night tonight, isn’t it?”
