He continued his exploration, mapping the freckles across mychest like they were constellations, the curve of my waist, places where my skin was more sensitive and I couldn’t help the soft gasps that escaped. The contrast between his rough palms and my softer skin sent electricity through me.
“You’re perfect,” he murmured against my stomach, feathering kisses along my ribs, his beard scratching lightly against my skin and making my stomach flutter. “Every inch of you, inside and out.”
Perfect. The word cracked something open in my chest, made tears prick at my eyes.
“You’ve made my life richer,” I whispered. “In ways I never expected. You see all of me and you’re still here.”
He looked up at me, spreading his hand over my heart. “My dream girl. Rising from the flames.”
I covered his hand with mine, phoenix feather and fallen Icarus, fire and sky, everything we’d survived and everything we were becoming.
Turns out rising from the ashes is so much better when you don’t have to do it alone.
“Partners,” I whispered.
“Partners,” he agreed, and pulled me close.
The End.
epilogue 1
September 4
Alex
I smoothed my hands down the champagne tulle of my dress, the embroidered starbursts catching the light.
“Need help with the zipper?” Finn came up behind me, wearing dark jeans and a white button-down he’d left open at the collar. His hair was tied back in that messy knot that made me want to pull it out and thread my fingers through the strands while I kissed him senseless.
I turned my back to him, gathering my hair over one shoulder. “Please.”
His fingers were warm at the base of my spine as he pulled the zipper up slowly, his knuckles brushing my skin.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, smoothing his hands over my shoulders as he kissed the back of my neck.
I met his eyes in the mirror, smile pulling at my lips. “The dress or me?”
His thumbs traced small circles against the tulle. “Darlin’ this dress is nothin’ without you in it.”
“Flatterer,” I blushed, turning around.
“Truth speaker,” he corrected with a wink, kissing me lightly.
“Your collar’s twisted.”
He stilled as I reached up to fix it, his amber eyes tracking my movements.
“Hard to believe it’s actually happening tomorrow. Dom getting married.”
“I know.” I worked at the stubborn collar, straightening the fold. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Enzo so nervous.”
Finn’s mouth quirked. “Dom stress-ate an entire bag of those fancy chips Camila keeps hidden.”
“The truffle ones?”
“Gone in twenty minutes.”
I laughed, smoothing the collar flat against his chest. “Well, at least they’re panicking together.”
