Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

I t was all so hard to wrap her mind around. Once everyone was caught up on the past week of their lives, Amy and Dante stepped out of the front door of Xtina and Michael's place.

She leaned against Dante as they stood together, the night air far chillier than the past few nights they'd enjoyed. The stars above Hidden Creek glittered brightly, and for a moment, she let herself just breathe it in—the familiarity of being back home after what felt like weeks, though it had only been days.

"I never expected to miss this place." She sighed.

"Makes you appreciate everything more," he agreed.

Her eyes fell on their cars parked among the others, like nothing had changed. The sight was oddly comforting, grounding her in the reality that, despite everything, they were back, safe.

"How is it possible?" she murmured, staring at the cars. Hers was exactly where she'd left it days ago, in her mind. "Everything's exactly where we left it."

Dante's hand found the small of her back, his touch steady and reassuring. "It's like we never left," he said softly, his voice warm and full of the same disbelief she was feeling.

It was a little past two in the morning.

"What next?" he asked.

"I think you mean, your place or mine?" she joked.

His hands moved up and down her body. "Your place is fine. I'm sure you want to get into your clothes and sleep in your bed."

"Your place is bigger," she pointed out. "I can stop by my place first and grab a bag of things. It's on the way."

He grinned, the moonlight casting shadows across his face as his hands rested on her waist. His lips brushed hers, soft and teasing. "Whatever you want," he whispered against her mouth. "Just as long as I get another night holding you."

She smiled up at him, her arms slipping around his neck as she leaned into him. Being with him now, after everything they had just gone through, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Amy's heart fluttered at his words, the sincerity in them making her stomach flip. There had been so much between them—uncertainty, distance, timing. But now? Now there was clarity. A certainty that she belonged with him, in every possible way.

They walked together to her car, the world around them still and quiet. The night felt thick with possibility, and even though the gods' threat still loomed over them, for this moment, everything was perfect.

She leaned against her car door, her hand still intertwined with his. "I never thought it would feel this… normal."

Dante chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "After everything we've been through, normal feels pretty good, doesn't it?"

She nodded, biting her lip as she stared up at him. "I don't want this to end. Us, I mean."

His eyes softened, his free hand brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It won't," he promised. "Not now, not ever. We've found our way to each other so many times. That's never going to change."

Her heart swelled at his words, and for the first time in a long time, the future didn't feel so terrifying. It felt… hopeful.

"Then let's go home," she whispered, leaning in to press her lips to his. The kiss was soft but full of promise, and as she pulled back, her heart pounded with the knowledge that she had finally found her place.

Half an hour later, she glanced over at Dante as he drove his truck up the steep grade of his driveway. They had quickly swung by her place and he'd waited as she'd packed an overnight bag with some essentials.

After having nothing for almost a full week, it seemed strange to toss makeup and other toiletry items into a bag. She threw in some jeans and shirts along with the sexiest clean underwear she could find in her dresser drawers.

She decided to keep her car at her place and jumped in his truck to ride with him over to his house.

Somewhere below them in the dark, Hidden Creek was asleep and it felt like the world belonged to just the two of them. Every now and then, Dante would glance at her, a smile playing on his lips. She could feel it—the comfort of being with him, the weight of what they had gone through lifting, if only for a little while.

As they approached the top of the hill, Dante slowed down.

"Home sweet home." He sighed as his headlights landed on the place.

Amy couldn't see much of his property in the darkness, only the faint outlines of trees and the distant shimmer of the river. Dante's place sat higher up, secluded but with what she knew would be a stunning view.

His home was a beautiful two-story white cabin with a black metal roof that gleamed faintly in the moonlight. There was a recent addition of the large wraparound deck that circled the front and side of the house. A detached three-car garage sat a little way off, its outline barely visible in the shadows. She'd heard how much he'd done to the place over the years. Joe had helped him put the roof on shortly after he'd purchased the place.

It felt so right—like she belonged here. It wasn't just the home itself, though she had always admired the simple, rustic beauty of it. It was being here with him. That's what made it feel like someplace she could finally call home.

Dante parked the truck and stepped out, coming around to her side to help her with her bag. "I've got it," he said, tossing her bag over his shoulder.

"Thanks," she said, taking his free hand as she slid out of the car. "I forgot how beautiful it is up here." She glanced around the property. "Even at night, you can just feel the peace."

"Wait until morning," Dante said, his voice warm as he closed the car door behind her. "You'll see the river, the trees… it's one of the reasons I bought the place. That view."

He led her towards the house, his hand never leaving hers, and as they stepped onto the deck, the wood creaked softly beneath their feet. "I like the new wraparound porch."

Dante chuckled. "It took longer than I expected to finish it, but it's perfect for morning coffee, trust me."

They walked to the front door and, once inside, the warm, earthy scent of wood greeted them. The cabin's interior was simple but cozy—high ceilings with exposed beams, wooden floors, and soft lighting that made the space feel intimate and inviting.

The rich wood flooring was covered with a few thick rugs in places. He had dark leather furniture with rustic tables and lamps, and stunning nature art hung on every cream-colored wall.

There was a large stone fireplace in the living room, and from what she could see, an open newly remodeled kitchen off to the back of the building.

It was everything she imagined his home would be—practical yet charming, with little touches of him everywhere.

She felt his hand at the small of her back as he led her towards the staircase that wound up to the second floor. Her heart skipped a beat when his arms slid around her waist, lifting her effortlessly off her feet.

"Dante!" she gasped, laughing as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying you up," he said simply, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Because I can."

She shook her head, grinning as she held onto him, her face nestled against his neck. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe," he murmured as he started up the stairs, each step slow and deliberate. "But I like taking care of you. Besides I've always wanted to carry someone up these stairs."

The staircase was perfect for it. It was wide enough and, with a slight curve, romantic enough.

Her chest tightened at his words, warmth spreading through her as he carried her up to the main bedroom. When they reached the top of the stairs, she glanced around, catching a glimpse of the space—the wide, open room with a king-sized bed and large windows.

Dante set her and her bag down gently, his hands lingering at her waist for a moment before he kissed the top of her head. "Welcome to my humble abode."

Amy smiled, leaning into him. "It's perfect." She meant it. More than the house, more than the view—being here with him made everything feel right.

She turned to face him, their gazes meeting in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. For a long moment, they just stood there looking into one another's eyes.

"I'm glad we're here," she whispered, her hand sliding up to cup his cheek. "Together."

Dante leaned down, brushing his lips softly against hers. "Me too. Amy?" he said against her lips.

"Hmm?" she purred.

"I'd kill for a shower."

She laughed. "You read my mind." She dropped her arms. "Tell me your shower is big enough for the both of us."

He laughed and nodded as he took her hand in his.

A few minutes later, they stood together under five powerful showerheads blasting hot water at them from all different directions.

"This is heaven." She sighed as she leaned into the powerful jets.

"Tell me about it." He rolled his shoulders.

She closed her eyes, letting the hot water work its magic on her tense muscles. The steam rose around them, cocooning them in warmth and silence. The jets of water felt like they were washing away not just the dirt and sweat from their long days but the weight of everything they had been through. Everything that had led them to this moment.

She moved closer to him, her wet skin sliding against his. He opened his eyes and she smiled up at him, droplets of water clinging to his lashes as she tilted her head up. "You look like you're in bliss," she teased, running her hands over his shoulders, her touch gentle but firm.

"I am," he admitted, his voice low and content. He reached up and tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "It's been a hell of a few days."

She nodded, leaning into his hand as he cupped her cheek. "I know… but we're here now." Her fingers traced the lines of his chest, leaving a trail of heat in their wake, despite the water cascading over them.

He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pressed his forehead to hers. "That's all that matters."

For a moment, they just stood there, the water pounding around them the only sound in the room. The world outside felt far away, as though it didn't matter—at least not in this moment. Here, it was just the two of them, finally able to breathe, to relax, to be.

Amy's hands slid up to his neck, her fingers playing across his shoulders. "So… about that bed," she murmured, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

He chuckled, leaning down to capture her mouth in a slow, lingering kiss. "We'll get there," he whispered against her lips. "But I'm in no rush."

She had never experienced sex in a shower before and was thankful for the shower seat and the pebble tile flooring for grip. Not to mention Dante's strength in keeping them from slipping and falling.

"That was a little dangerous," Amy joked as they stepped out and wrapped towels around their bodies.

"I'm thinking of installing a few handholds for safety." He laughed as she started to dry her long hair.

"I know it's probably three in the morning, but I'm still wired." She slipped on a tank top and shorts she'd brought in her overnight bag.

She glanced over and watched him pull on a pair of gym shorts. God, he was amazing, everything she'd ever wanted throughout all time.

"Want to see what I have in the kitchen?" he suggested.

"I am dying for something with refined sugar in it." She laughed.

A few minutes later, they sat in his living room watching television while eating any junk food that he had in the house.

It was by far the most normal thing they had done all week and one of the best times that she'd had in her entire life. They laughed together over old shows until they finally fell asleep in each other's arms on the sofa.

The next morning when his alarm went off, he groaned.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I'm forgot that I'm scheduled to work today." He rolled off the sofa and searched for his cell phone somewhere in the house.

"That reminds me," she said, sitting up. "I should charge my phone. I need to share the photos of the writing from the temple with the others today. We're meeting for coffee at eleven."

She ran her hands over her face while he turned off his alarm.

"I'll try to make it." He glanced at the time and winced. It was hard shifting their minds back to normal life. "I've got to get going. I'll drop you back off at your place."

She stood up and nodded. Seeing the look in her eyes, he quickly moved over to wrap his arms around her. "I'd love for you to pack up more than just an overnight bag. I don't want you to go."

She smiled up at him. "Did you just ask me to move in with you?"

He chuckled. "Move in with me," he said softly.

"Okay," she sighed and then kissed him.

"You're sure?"

"Very sure." Her heart jumped in her chest. "Dante, we go beyond time and space. It's not going to be easy to get rid of me."

He hugged her. "Thank the gods." He sighed into her hair. "I love you."

"I love you," she replied as his second alarm went off.

He groaned. "Tonight," he promised her. "We'll have a proper first dinner together in our home."

"I like the sound of that."