Page 86 of Fallen Flame

I stayed where I was.

Lark hadn’t moved either.

I stepped closer until only a few inches separated us. “You okay?”

She looked up at me. “I think so.”

“You think so?”

She nodded. “I feel better today.”

Her hand rested lightly against my chest.

“I think sleeping helped.”

“I think so too.”

She smiled softly.

It struck me then how natural this felt. Her standing close enough that our shoulders brushed.

My hand settled against her hip, and neither of us questioned it.

Neither of us asked what we were.

We just were.

Around us, nobody stared.

Nobody teased.

Nobody made a comment.

The only thing I noticed was Mom. She glanced our way while handing Bell a carton of eggs.

Our eyes met and she smiled like she’d been waiting for this without ever pushing for it.

Lark must’ve noticed too because she looked up at me with a tiny smile. “I would be a lot better...” She lowered her voice. “...if I could kiss you right now.”

I didn’t hesitate. I cupped her cheek and leaned down. Our lips met gently. Soft enough that it felt private despite the dozen people moving around us. The pull that always seemed to exist whenever she was close.

She sighed quietly into the kiss before I pulled back.

Her eyes were wide and a little stunned. “You actually kissed me,” she whispered. A beat passed. “In front of everyone.”

A smirk tugged at my mouth. “I’m quiet, baby.” I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “Not a fucking monk.”

For a second, she just stared at me, then she burst into laughter.

She reached up, grabbed the front of my shirt, and pulled me down for one quick kiss.

When she let me go, she smiled so brightly it almost made me forget about the black van sitting outside that motel. “Noted, handsome.”

Chapter Twenty

Lark

I smiled as I marked another tally on the clipboard. “Twenty-three.” I leaned over and counted the next stack of heavy cream. “Twenty-four... twenty-five...”