Korbin pursed his lips, looking thoughtful, and then he shrugged. “I think she’s fine, but don’t take my word for it, Peyton.”
I opened my mouth to say something, argue maybe, but then closed it again. Korbin was right—she was just some innocent girl. If the doctor had sent her, that meant she had to be moderately sane, right?
“Hey,” I said, crossing the floor to take one of his hands in mine. “How about a movie, or something?”
The grin reappeared on his face and Korbin stood from the table, grabbing his crutches so he could hobble after me into the living-room.
“This feels like college again,” he said, settling himself down onto the couch as I gathered up the remote and a blanket and sat down next to him. “Remember our horror movie nights at ESU?”
“How could I forget?” I murmured, smiling as we reminisced about the good old days. “You, me, and a bunch of our friends on Friday night at your place. Booze, food, and fun.”
“Those were the days,” Korbin said, and I nodded in agreement.
“Those were the days.”
I flicked on the TV and scrolled through the different streaming channels to find something we both might like. The rain came down in gentle pitter-patters against the roof and glass windows, and I huddled under the blanket with a small shiver. Next to me, Korbin reached his hand out, fingers brushing my thigh, and that tiny, mere touch alone made me shiver with desire.
“Hey now,” I murmured. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
“I don’t know if I can,” he said, scooting in close to me. I didn’t move away because I couldn’t… not even now, after everything. Even now, he had complete and utter control over me.
His body felt warm next to my own, and his hand slipped under the covers to take mine, holding it tight between his. My skin began to buzz where he touched me, and my breath caught in my throat as Korbin leaned over a bit, his face moving towards mine. For a moment I almost dodged him, almost yanked away and got up to leave the room. But I didn’t, because as Korbin’s familiar, sultry lips met my own, I was once again held captive by him, a mere mortal to whatever spell he had over me.
“Stop,” I said breathlessly, pulling away from him. I threw the blanket off our lap and stood, up in arms suddenly, my fingers brushing my lips where he’d just kissed me.
“What’s wrong, Peyton?” he asked, and I shook my head, staring at him.
“I can’t do this,” I said. “Not with you and not now, Korbin. I’m—I’m sorry.”
“Is something wrong?” he asked, rising unsteadily from the couch. I nodded, fingers still lingering on my lips. I could still taste him.
“I’m still seeing someone else,” I said. “And he’s a good guy. And that means that I can’t be here, having sex with you.”
Korbin nodded, but he didn’t look convinced. It didn’t matter, though. I didn’t need to convince him. I wasn’t that woman; I never had been. And I wouldn’t do it for Jake.
“Let me take you home,” I said, going to the door to put on my shoes. “I need to get to bed.”
Korbin followed me wordlessly, and I could tell he was bothered, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. He’d broken my heart, smashed my soul into a million tiny pieces. I wasn’t about to jump back into his arms after everything. And especially not now with Jake. I was better than that. Somebody had to be.
Chapter13
Korbin
My night with Peyton had not been what I’d hoped for, but it didn’t matter. It was still early. I would get her back if it was the last thing I did. It was time to focus on fixing things between us. It was time to focus on the future. My future, her future,ourfuture.
My knee was getting better by the day, until I was able to get from place to place with one crutch instead of two. Peyton and I spent many evenings together, either at her mom’s house or my mother’s house, it didn’t matter. But she was keeping it safe, securely in the friend zone, and I knew if I was going to get anywhere with her, I couldn’t risk pushing it. I would take it slow if that’s what she wanted. Hell, we could move at a snail’s pace as long as we were getting somewhere.
“Butler!” Hansen shouted as I stepped into the firehouse to visit my crew. Multiple pairs of eyes jerked up to as I hobbled through the door, and multiple men got to their feet to greet me, smiling and shaking hands.
“Korbin Butler,” Chief Davis said, getting to his feet to shake my hand and hug me. “We’ve missed you around these parts.”
“Yeah, well, you can’t get rid of me that easily,” I teased. “I know that’s what you all were hoping for.”
“It hasn’t been the same without you, man,” said Nick Barlow, also rising to shake my hand. “We’ve missed our lieutenant around here.”
Grinning, I hobbled across the room to take a seat in the empty chair Hansen pulled out for me, looking around the table at all my men. “Thanks for coming to visit me, assholes,” I said, and the men around the kitchen table laughed.
“Hansen didn’t want us bothering you,” said Paisley, coming from around the corner. She leaned down to give me a hug, squeezing my shoulder fondly. “He said you might just take one of us out given the chance.”
