Chapter 13

13

DAMON

A llie and I have been strangely intimate from the very beginning. Hell, I had her in my arms before I even knew her name.

But caring for her like this makes me feel bonded to her. Like she’s my responsibility now.

I couldn’t possibly be happier about it.

After she takes another hour-long nap, I drive her home and get into the shower with her. Sure, it’s sensual to be naked with a hot girl, but anything like that can wait. I vigorously scrub her hair, digging my fingers gently into her scalp in an effort to pull some of the tension out, then massage her shoulders while she stands under the falling water.

I dry her off, pull one of my softest t-shirts over her head, give her some juice and another painkiller, and we crawl into bed. Although I was dozing here and there in Jonah’s office, now that I know Allie is mostly better, I really need a few hours of solid sleep.

When I wake up, my entire body tenses when I realize she isn’t next to me.

Allie is gone.

Sitting bolt upright, I start to panic. Then I hear the toaster pop in the kitchen.

Exhale. She’s fine.

I throw on clothes and come out to the kitchen, where Allie is just setting a coffee on the table for me. My hands automatically stroke her forehead and shoulder as I pull her close. “How do you feel, baby? Should you be up and around already?”

As she looks up at me, I’m struck by how expressive her eyes are. She definitely doesn’t want me fawning over her too much, but she’s too polite to say it.

“I’m fine, thanks. Moving slowly, taking my time.” A long sigh escapes her. “I’m so sorry about yesterday.”

“No, angel, please.” Sitting down, I pull her into my lap. “Listen, if you’re worried that I’m going to treat you like you’re made of glass, I won’t do that all the time. Just when you’re unwell, and for maybe a half day afterward, okay?”

Allie nods slowly, as if she’s analyzing my words.

“It can get rough up here on the mountain.” My hand strokes her lower back as she leans into me. “I know that you’re going to be a trooper most of the time, but some things are beyond your control, and I’m never going to hold that against you. I want to help you as much as I can. It’s never going to be a bother. Ever.”

Her lovely deep blue eyes peer keenly into mine. “You kind of hesitated yesterday when you got that fire call. Like you wanted to stay with me instead of going.” Her palm presses into the center of my chest. “If that ever happens again, you need to promise me that you’ll go, no matter what.”

“Angel, I want to tell you what you want to hear, but that might not be the truth.” My lips brush her forehead. “It will depend on the moment, okay? If you’re lying on the couch with a slight headache, sure, I’ll go. If you’re passed out with a migraine but you’ve taken some pills and had some juice and there’s nothing to be done but wait it out, I might go, and have someone check on you in a few hours if I’m not back.”

Tipping her chin up with my finger, I smile. “I’ll go with my gut. I’m not the only firefighter around, you know. There are plenty of us across the triangle. Sometimes they only call the few who are the closest, sometimes it’s an all hands on deck situation.”

“Which you would leave for, no matter what. Right ?”

My exaggerated nod makes her smile. “Yes. As long as you’re safe, I would go.”

“Um…” She hesitates. “It’s just that…feeling like I might disturb your work… I don’t think I could live like that.”

“You won’t.” My knee bounces, shaking her slightly. “What if over the next ten years there is one time where I respond to the call that it will be ten minutes before I can leave? Those are still great stats, aren’t they?”

Her shoulders lower slightly. “Okay.” Allie tweaks my nose with her finger. “Maybe once in ten years is allowed.”

“I have great connections with nearby friends, and neighbors. If I had to take off and left the door open so that Mrs. Atterly from down the road could check on you, that would be fine, yes?”

“I don’t even know her.”

“But you would, if you moved in with me.”

The words popped out so naturally, yet Allie seems surprised. “How can you think like that already?”

“Why not? It would make both our lives easier. We could see each other a lot more. You’d have all the air conditioning you wanted, and a lot more space. You’d have the naturally cool room in the basement.” I chuckle. “It’s a lot more exciting cooking for two people than just one, so I’d eat a lot better, too.”

Time stops until Allie begins to nod slowly. “Maybe. I’d like to check in on Mrs. Meno frequently until she finds a new tenant. And I’d still be walking distance from the diner if they ever needed a hand at a moment’s notice…”

“Yup. Unless you get that job at the department store, which is also right there. I’m sure someone would jump at your apartment. We can ask around and help Mrs. Meno choose someone nice.”

“You really want me to move in so soon?”

My hands rub up her back, and along her inner thigh. “You have no idea, Allie. The thought of holding you while we sleep, of waking up next to you every morning, discovering your weird side… I honestly can’t wait.”

“Weird side?”

“I’m sure I have one too. You know, those quirks we don’t realize are…quirky.”

She laughs. “Like how in every couple, one person loads the dishwasher like a military engineer, and the other like a toddler?”

My eyes narrow. “I’m the engineer.”

“I’m a little better than a toddler, I promise.” She sighs. “Can I think about it when I’m not, you know, feeling floaty?”

“Sure.” My lips graze her throat. “You’re probably exhausted after yesterday, so the rest of the weekend is all about rest and rejuvenation.”

“Oh my god!” she gasps. “I was supposed to work the early shift this morning!”

“Shh – it’s fine. I sent Gina a text last night around midnight saying that you were in no condition to make it in to work today. She said it’s no problem, just could you please confirm on Sunday if you’re okay to make it in Monday morning.”

Allie slumps against my shoulder. “Thank you.”

‘That’s what boyfriends are for, baby. To care for the woman they love.”

“Did you…” She looks at me strangely.

It takes a moment of reading her eyes, then it clicks. “Tell you that I love you while you were out of it? Yes. Yes, I did.” Taking her hand, I grin at her wide eyes. “Which means that it doesn’t really count, so I’ll say it again. Allie, I love you.”

Her perfect lips part with a soft gasp. “Really?”

“Yes. It’s okay if?—”

“I love you, t -mphff .”

The last word is muffled as our lips crash together. I’m instantly lost in the feeling of her fingers sliding around my shoulders, the back of my neck. It only takes a moment for the kiss to reach a fever pitch, our bodies moving together frantically.

Suddenly, Allie pulls away. “Your toast is getting cold.”

“Don’t care.” I kiss her again, loving the way she melts against me. This time it’s my turn to pull away. “But you didn’t eat yesterday. Let’s get you some fresh toast.”

We spend the afternoon sinking into this…relationship? Couple-hood? Whatever it is, it feels deeply right.

After eggs and toast, Allie shows me one of the so-called beginners yoga videos on YouTube that she likes. I feel that her body probably does need a good stretch after being so tense yesterday, and I do the video with her, or at least try to, while she alternates between correcting me, praising me, and laughing gently at how stiff I am.

We watch some game shows, make an early dinner and pop it in the oven, and take a slow, short, walk around my property. Partly for the fresh air, and partly to get Allie comfortable with the place.

We chat about future gardening goals, what color the house should be painted when it needs a fresh coat in a few years, and what kind of truck, Jeep, or 4x4 Allie might need someday. Since she hasn’t exactly said that she’s moving in yet – or if she is, when – I keep everything light, letting her set the pace for whatever timing feels good for her.

After dinner, we discover that we both stack the dishwasher like a military engineer. I crank the air conditioning, and we get ready for bed.

I can’t even describe the deep satisfaction of feeling Allie fall asleep in my arms. Everything is complete. Sure, I’m going to have to learn how to take care of her to the best of my ability, but it’s an honor to have this treasure of a woman beside me.

I just hope I’m worthy of the task.