Page 31 of Echoes of Danger
I swallow hard, unsure how to answer. I want to tell her everything that I’ve already promised myself. That she and Eli are mine to protect. But I know better than to rush this.
“I don’t know what you feel, Freckles,” I admit softly. “But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I can’t just walk away now. Not when I’ve already made up my mind about you.”
Her shoulders tense, but her eyes soften, that fragile trust beginning to form like a delicate thread between us. “And if I’m not ready for this?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I close the space between us, my hand hovering near hers, not yet touching but close enough that she knows I’m there. “I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes. But I need you to know this... I’m not giving up on us.”
The words hang between us, like a promise and a plea all in one.
Freckles’ eyes flutter closed, and for a brief moment, everything goes still. The tension in the air shifts, softens, as if the world around us is holding its breath. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she leans forward, her gaze dropping to my lips. Her hesitation is a flicker, a brief moment of doubt, but it’s quickly replaced with something that feels like trust. Or maybe hope.
I can’t stop myself. My hand moves to her cheek, cupping it gently, the touch careful, reverent, like she’s something fragile, I’m afraid of breaking. She lifts her chin, her eyes meeting mine again, searching, asking without saying a word.
I lean in, and for a second, the space between us is nothing but the thundering of our hearts. I’ve never wanted anything so badly, and yet, I take my time. My lips hover just above hers, our breaths mingling into one.
Then, finally, I press my lips to hers. Soft, tender, as if this kiss is both a question and an answer. It’s a quiet connection, but it holds everything we’re both feeling, everything I want to say without words.
The kiss deepens, just slightly, as if we’re both testing the waters, trying to see if this is the beginning of something real, something that won’t break us. My hand slides around her back, pulling her closer, but not too fast. The last thing I want is to overwhelm her.
Her hands find their way to my chest, tentative at first, then firm as if she’s anchoring herself in this moment. And in that kiss, I feel it. The weight of the past, the uncertainty, the fear, and the promise of something more. It’s delicate, but it’s powerful, like we’re both giving each other a piece of ourselves.
When we finally pull apart, it’s slow, and our foreheads rest together, breaths mingling. My hands stay on her, steadying her, holding her as if I could make this moment last forever.
“I’m here, Freckles,” I whisper, my voice rough. “I’m here.”
“We have to go, brother,” Taylor says from the porch. “Change of plans.”
“Fuck. Alright, Freckles. Go pack some clothes and everything you’ll need for our daughter.”
“For how long?” she asks.
“Just a few days, baby, but pack for a week.”
I hope.
With a final squeeze, I reluctantly release her, watching her turn to head inside.
“Hey, Freckles,” I call out before she reaches the door. She stops, turning her head back to me. Her hair falls in waves, the setting sun casting a soft glow on her face. I swallow hard, making sure she knows I mean every word. “Just so you know, you’re still fired, but you’re not going anywhere. You got me?”
Her lips curl into a small smile, the playful glint back in her eyes. “You still owe me an explanation about what’s going on,” she answers instead, her tone teasing, but there’s an edge of seriousness beneath it.
“You got me?”
She hesitates, then smirks, the tension easing between us. “Yeah, I got you. You were a horrible boss anyway. I really should’ve reported you to HR ages ago.”
My eyes widen in mock outrage, and I lean in, my voice low and teasing. “Because of the one time I slapped your butt?”
She snorts, shaking her head. “And the time youaccidentallygrabbed a handful of boob,” she laughs.
“Whoa, whoa,” I raise my hands defensively, “That was just a rumor. I never laid a hand on that woman.”
Her laughter is pure and easy, and I can’t help but smile at the sound of it. “Iwas that woman,” she says, catching her breath as she meets my gaze. “You’re nuts. I’m going to go pack.”
“Just don’t take too long,” I say, my tone dropping slightly, all business again, but the warmth between us is still there, simmering under the surface.
As she heads inside, I turn toward Taylor, my chest tightening with a mixture of frustration and urgency.
“I fucking hate pulling you away right now, brother,” Taylor says with honest regret written all over his face. “You deserve this more than anyone else I know.”