“Don’t say impossible again,” he warns, voice low. “It’ll start a fight we don’t have time for.”
My cheeks burn. He leads me inside, warm air hitting us immediately. The firehouse is dim, most of the crew on call or already out on storm duty. His hand stays at the small of my back.
“Where am I… sleeping?” I ask.
Ash hesitates. Then points upstairs.
“You can take my room."
My throat closes.
“And you?” I whisper.
“I’ll take the couch.”
“That’s not fair.”
His eyes darken. “I’m not sleeping in a bed while you’re down here alone. Not happening.” My breath shivers out. He steps closer, his voice lowering until it’s barely a growl. “You’re safe here, Lucy.”
I nod.
He doesn’t move.
Neither do I.
The silence stretches between us—tight, charged, dangerous.
Finally, he whispers:
“If you need anything… anything at all… you come find me.”
“Ash…”
“Say you will.”
“I will,” I breathe.
His jaw flexes again—like he’s barely holding something in.
“Good.”
He pulls back.
Leaves the room.
And I stand there, pulse racing, heart pounding, knowing?—
The storm outside is nothing compared to the one raging between us.
Chapter Fifteen
Ash
Holly is safe.
That’s the first thing that steadies me as I pull the firehouse door open and usher Lucy inside ahead of me. My niece is at a Christmas sleepover two blocks away, surrounded by sugar cookies, glitter glue, and parents who adore her.
And that leaves me here.
