I turn off my phone before he can respond.
CHAPTER 12
SERENA
Itry to avoid Blaze and it lasts exactly one long, agonizing day.
The last thing I want to do is leave him without clarification about why I’ve got to put distance between us. The problem is I can’t bring myself to break both of our hearts. So when he corners me in the parking lot, I know I don’t have a choice of delaying it any further.
I'm walking to my car after the longest shift of my life with my keys in hand. I see a shadow fall across my path and I already know it’s him. When I look up at Blaze, his arms are crossed, his jaw is tight, and his eyes are filled with hurt.
"We need to talk."
"Blaze, I can't?—"
He steps closer, lowering his voice. "No text back, no call, and you won't even look at me from across the yard. What the hell happened?"
"Nothing happened."
"Bullshit." His voice is gruff, but he's not angry. He soundsworried. "Something changed. I need to know what. I can’t do this half in half out thing with you. I know what I want. I want you and I’m all in here."
I glance around the parking lot. There are a few people in the distance, but no one close enough to hear. Still, my heart hammers in my chest.
"There are rumors about us," I say quietly. "My supervisor called me in yesterday and gave me a warning. They’re watching. Everything I have is in jeopardy.” My breath hitches on the last part of my sentence.
His expression shifts. The frustration fades and is replaced by something softer. "Serena..." He reaches for me, but I pull away.
"I can't lose this job, Blaze." My voice cracks. "It's all I have. It's the only thing I've ever done right. If I get fired?—”
"You're not going to get fired."
"You don't know that." I shake my head. "You don't understand. I've spent my entire life holding everything together. Now I'm standing in a parking lot with a man I'm not supposed to want and risking everything I've built. The worst part is, I don't know how to stop." Quiet tears spill from the corners of my eyes.
He's quiet for a moment. "Then don't stop. Fall apart and let me hold you together."
Then he reaches out and takes my hand. Blaze’s grip is firm and when I try to wiggle away, he only holds tighter. I stop fighting him and give in to the warmth of his hand on mine. There’s a security in his touch that feels like an exhale I can’t get enough of.
"Blaze—" My throat is tight, but a calm rushes over me.
"Listen to me." His thumb traces circles on my palm. "I'm not going to pressure you. I'm not going to push. If you tell me right now that this is over and that you need me to walk away, I'll do it. It'll kill me, but I'll do it. But I don’t think that’s what you wantand I sure as hell don’t want it. So, instead I'll wait." He squeezes my hand.
“Wait for what?”
"For you. I’m not a patient man, but for you I’ll figure it out. I’ll bide my time for however long it takes. I’ll be whatever you need between now and then. I'll be right here, Serena. I’m not going anywhere."
“Thank you.” I close my eyes. Let myself lean into his touch. My heart rate slows down. “I believe you.”
And I do.
He’s telling the truth. Even if it doesn’t change anything, this incredible, sexy man is on my side. More than that, he wants to lighten my load, not add to it. It’s a gift I don’t want to take for granted.
“No one has ever been in my corner like this before, Blaze. You’re amazing.”
“Serena, I’ll wait forever if you need me to. I know you well enough to know that’s your way of getting through this. But there’s another way to handle this too. My way. Let’s call it plan B.”
There’s a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he runs a hand across my lower back.
He continues, “The plan is… Fuck them.”
