Page 66 of Firefly Embers

“I’m kidding, Max. Yes, it’s new. Neither of us wanted to say anything because, truly, we didn’t know where things stood when Wade left for treatment.”

I looked over at Wade, whose smile couldn’t have been scrubbed off his face if he tried.

“I knew, I was just waiting for everyone else to catch up,” a voice crooned as Stella sidled up beside her husband, wrapping her arm around his waist. Over the last week, she’d definitely started to show. The little swell of her baby bump was evident beneath her top.

I didn’t miss the subtle nod of acknowledgment and gentle smile Wade gave her, almost as if silently apologizing for all the pain he’d caused with his misplaced blame. Stella nodded back softly in response, not needing an overdone apology to forgive and forget.

“Yeah, cool, so can we save the family reunion for later? I really want to take my girl home and fu—” I slapped a hand over his mouth and felt the graze of his teeth against my palm. I laughed as he tightened his arms around my waist, pulling me against his growing erection.

“Yeah, we’ll see you at dinner. The house is empty for another couple of hours,” Stella said with an exaggerated wink.

Before I could insist on spending time with the family, Wade tossed me over his shoulder, placed a heavy smack to my ass, and started running toward the house, the sound of my laughter echoing across the ranch. The free and uninhibited way he laughed right alongside me had my heart swelling with love and pride.

WADE

Fuck, it felt good to be back.

Just breathing in the air of the ranch seemed to release any tension I had been holding since the moment I left Ember Ridge. Walking back into the “real world” felt foreign after being isolated for an entire month. I felt like I had to learn how to be a human being all over again, which, in a sense, was good.

I felt like I was getting a fresh lease on life as I drove away from the treatment center and toward my home.

Stopping at a barbershop on the way had been a spontaneous decision. I knew I needed a haircut because instead of a man bun, I was rocking a George Washington-esque ponytail, but the decision to cut it all off was spur-of-the-moment.

Something about watching each tendril of the hair I’d grown over the years fall to the ground felt freeing. It felt like I’d not only cut off a physical weight, but I’d released an emotional weight, as well.

The feeling of running my fingers along the buzzed sides and mussing up the top had my cheeks pulling back into a wide grin. I felt lighter than I had in a long time.

As I walked through the large front door of the big house, calmness washed over my body, covering me in a warmth reminiscent of a phantom hug. It felt right to be there, in that home, with the love of my life’s hand entwined with mine, and on the precipice of our forever.

“You okay?” Ray asked softly, a nervous lilt to her voice.

I turned, focusing all my attention on her down-turned hazel eyes. I used my index finger to lift her chin as I watched her lower lashes fill with tears.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” I asked, cupping her cheek with my palm. She smiled softly back at me, and I felt my heart clench in my chest. This woman was so beautiful, so strong, and all mine. But I couldn’t handle seeing her cry.

“I’m just so happy. I’ve missed you so much. There were so many times I looked for you or reached for my phone to send you a text, just to remember that I couldn’t. I’m so fucking proud of you.” She cupped both of my cheeks between her palms and brought my face down to hers in an unhurried kiss.

Pulling back, she rested her forehead on mine and closed her eyes. Relishing ‌the feeling of us finally being together, I closed my eyes as I breathed her in. Her citrus and floral scent flooded my senses as we stood there, just feeling the comfort of each other’s presence.

“I love you, Wade Daniels,” she whispered, leaning back to look me in the eyes.

“I love you too, Sunshine.”

“So… do you wan—” Her squeal of laughter as I once again hauled her over my shoulder and walked toward my room had a wide grin stretching across my face. There was nothing that made me happier than knowing I was the one making her happy.

“I can walk, Waddle!” she screeched. I smacked my palm hard on her ass as she let out a yelp and a whisper of a moan.

Well, okay, then. My girl liked it a little rough.

“What have I told you about that fucking nickname?” I growled, kicking the door shut behind me and flipping the lock.

I set her down in front of the closed door and backed her up against the wooden barrier. I could see her pulse fluttering in her neck, and I leaned forward, running my nose along the spot where it thudded rapidly.

“I asked you a question, Rayna,” I growled, skimming my teeth along her throat. Her breathing intensified as her eyelids fluttered closed and her mouth dropped open in a soft exhale.

It had been too long since I’d felt the softness of her skin and tasted the sweetness of her lips. I was rock hard behind the denim of my jeans, ready to burst from just a couple of kisses.

“I don’t remember what the question was,” she mocked playfully, her hands flat against the door as if she was afraid to touch me, knowing how easily combustible the tension between us was. We were playing a game of tug-of-war where we were evenly matched, each ‌of us giving and taking in tandem.