Page 93 of Flashback for the Forward

“It’s fine. Any time I get the craving, all I have to do is remind myself of what I have to lose if I fall off the wagon, and that usually sends it packing.” She tapped her temple. “Mind over matter.”

“You’re kinda badass, you know that?”

Snorting, she hummed. “Glad to hear someone thinks so.”

Cast in shades of orange and gold from the flickering flames, Arizona took the time to introduce me to the other parents. Everyone was beyond welcoming, which was indicative of the hockey community. Sharing that one thing in common created a found family, one I’d missed desperately since Bennett’s death, one I could settle into again by virtue of my relationship with Cole.

Being out in the open felt good. Better than good; it felt fucking liberating.

And when we got home, I was going to do whatever was necessary to take back my life in San Diego.

Chapter 28

Bridget

The automatic garage door activated, and I turned toward the sound. No less than a few minutes later, the mudroom door opened and shut, and footsteps grew closer on the hardwood.

As soon as Cole came into view, I rose from my chair, crossing the room to pull him into a kiss.

He groaned into my mouth as my tongue swept past his parted lips, sparking the insane chemistry between us. Never breaking contact, I grabbed his hands, placing them on my body, giving him permission to touch me as we made out like the teenagers we used to be.

I nipped at his lower lip, and he whimpered. “Fuck, I missed you.”

“Not more than I missed you,” I panted as he pressed open-mouth kisses along my jaw.

Wanting to share my news before we got too carried away, I pushed on his shoulders, and instantly, he withdrew, chest heaving.

Forehead creased with concern, he asked, “You okay?”

I nodded. “More than okay.”

The wrinkle between his brows disappeared. “Then why’d you stop?”

“There’s something I want to tell you.”

“Okay . . .” His tone was cautious.

Grabbing his hand to set him at ease, I gave it a squeeze. “I had some time to think on my little trip to the desert. And I decided I want to live free, without fear.”

“That’s great! But how—”

“I’m going to file a restraining order against Aiden. I’ve done my research, and there’s a chance he might contest the order, but I don’t think he will. Not when the department will have to be informed, and taking it to court would risk having proof of him being an abuser brought to light. And if he violates the order that’s issued on grounds of domestic violence, he’ll be facing a fine, jail time, and would almost certainly lose his job in law enforcement. As far as I see it, this is checkmate.”

For a minute, all he did was stare at me. There was so much love in his eyes that it warmed me from the inside out.

Gently, he cupped my cheek, his thumb stroking over my skin. “You are so fucking brave, and I’ve never been prouder of you than I am in this moment.”

Having voiced my plan aloud, it became more real. And knowing I was about to take back control of my own life, I felt alive, powerful even, and I needed to expend the energy bubbling up within me before I combusted.

Without warning, I leapt into Cole’s arms, and he caught me effortlessly, as if I were as light as a feather. I kissed him hungrily, barely aware that we were moving until my back met with the softness of a mattress, with Cole hovering above me.

“How do you want me, beautiful?” The question came out husky as he began to pull away, but I stopped him by wrapping both my legs around his waist.

“Just like this.”

His eyebrows shot sky-high. “Are you sure?”

To this point, every time we’d had sex, it was with me on top or, at the very least, in a position—spooning, for example—where I could easily withdraw if I felt triggered. Cole had gone out of his way to ensure I never felt trapped or held down. But I was done letting Aiden control how I was intimate with the man I loved. He didn’t belong here, and it was time to banish him from our bedroom, once and for all.