Page 16 of Ignite My Heart

She surprises the hell out of me when she stands and walks over, climbing into my lap. Immediately, my arms go around her as she leans into my chest.

But the moment this woman settles into my body, everything around me stills. There’s an overwhelming feeling for a brief second that everything is right in the world. Wars stop, famines fade, and diseases are cured. It’s an absurd thought, but that’s how right Felicity Greer feels in my arms.

“Not only did I know who you were, I planned the entire thing. Well, not that kiss. That was pure instinct. But the whole emergency training situation was for me.”

She turns her face and looks up at me, and those fucking blue eyes pin me with their vibrancy. “What were you trying to do?”

I lean forward and press a kiss to her hair, inhaling the sweetness of her shampoo. “Impress you. I knew you’d moved back, and I wanted to start over. I wanted you to see me in a different light than in high school.”

She laughs. “So you figured dressing up in your hot fireman uniform would be the way to do it?”

I shrug. “That was my hope.”

“I may—for a brief moment—have thought you looked like you’d walked off the pages of a fireman calendar.”

“Oh, yeah?” I can’t help my wide grin.

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head, Hot-shot.”

“I’m just trying to get the girl.”

Our gazes lock, and this time, it’s her that kisses me. Her arms wind around my neck as she re-situates herself on my lap. There’s zero chance she won’t feel the erection to end all erections now poking her in the ass.

Her lips part, and her tongue slides across mine. I tighten my hands on her, and we’re full-on making out. Kissing Felicity is better and hotter than anything I’ve ever done with another woman. Acknowledging that solidifies the belief that this woman is meant to be mine.

I bought this house for her. Maybe I didn’t acknowledge that until this very moment, but it’s the truth. I knew she had a fondness for this old Victorian.

She ends the kiss, and we’re both breathing hard, staring into each other’s eyes.

“We could go inside,” she suggests.

“Yes. Definitely.”

Felicity stands from my lap, and I don’t bother trying to hide my hard-on as I come to my feet. Her eyes take a leisurely stroll down my body, and fuck if it doesn’t feel like an actual touch. Then she licks her lips, and I nearly spill in my fucking jeans like a goddamn kid.

I grab her hand and pull her with me. “I haven’t started working on the upstairs yet. So I’ve been using one of the parlors down here as a makeshift bedroom because it has a bathroom right next to it.”

I turn to her, and she runs her hands up my chest. The motion scrapes sawdust up my torso, reminding me I was a hot, sweaty mess when she arrived.

I still her hands. “I should probably take a shower and wash all the wood and dust off me. And, uh, I’d invite you to join me, but the shower is the size of a coat closet.” I pull her into the room I’m sleeping in for the time being.

“Oh, my God, your bed is made,” she exclaims.

“I turn to face her. “Is that bad?”

Her laughter floats through the room, and holy shit, I’m such a goner for this woman. Everything about her lights up when she laughs. Her eyes get brighter. Her smile is blinding as her lips part, and color blooms in her cheeks. Listen to me, I’ve become a fucking poet. Not a very good one, but whatever.

“No, it’s not bad. It’s just such a good boy thing to do.” A wave of sadness crosses her features. “I’m sorry I misjudged you for so long.”

“Hey, no. That’s not what happened.” I pull her into my arms again. “We were kids, Sassy. Maybe, I would’ve fucked it up if we’d gotten together in high school. Maybe this is how our story was supposed to go all along.”

“You’re so certain?”

“About you? I am now. I may have doubted for a while after you moved away, but now you’re home… now you’re in my arms, I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life. I’ll give you whatever time you need, Felicity, but I intend to make you mine in every sense of the word.”

“I don’t think I need any time.”

I slam my mouth onto hers for a heated kiss. “Quick shower. Make yourself comfortable.”