Page 101

Eden hadn’t said it, but Blaze knew that was how she thought his parents treated him. It was different. Or... was it? They loved him, but was it right that he was forced into this union?

“You’re going to leave me for some stranger, aren’t you?” Eden’s words came out so quietly, he almost missed them.

“I never want to leave you.”

“But you might have to.”

“I never thought I’d meet you. You make me wonder if there’s another option.”

“An option who’s messy, loudmouthed, and impulsive?”

“All of the above. You speak your mind, and you’re fearless. Although I agree on the messy part. You’re always losing things because you dump your stuff anywhere.”

Eden stroked her fingers down his bare chest. “I can’t transform myself into some groomed society princess to make you and your parents happy.”

“I don’t want you to change. I’ve never wanted that.”

She raised her head, and Blaze sucked in a breath at the tears in her eyes.

“You’re going to break my heart into a million pieces now you have this power over me,” she whispered.

“No! I’m crazy about you. I wanted this for so long, but you never let me in. I was almost done waiting for you. That was why I was leaving. I figured, if I left the Apocalypse, if I didn’t see you every day and had something else to focus on, I’d be okay.”

“You mean someone else.”

He squeezed his eyes shut for a second. “Yes, someone else. Someone who will make my family proud of me.”

“They’re proud of you for more than who you marry,” Eden said. “I saw the look in their eyes when your life was in danger. They love you, and not just because of the socially acceptable woman on your arm.”

Her words slowly sank in. But Blaze had the love and respect of his family. He should show that in return by making the match they wanted.

He stroked Eden’s face, dazzled by her beauty. There was no way he could give her up.

“So, what do we do now?” she said. “I can’t go back to how it was before.”

“Neither can I. Nothing seems important if I don’t have you with me. I don’t want to leave you, and I don’t want to leave the Apocalypse.”

“So...”

He kissed her gently. “We talk to my parents. I introduce you to them properly.”

Eden stared at him, and the pink flush on her cheeks faded. “Are you serious?”

He sat up and held her close. “Yes. They already know who you are. They know you saved my life. They respect you. Come on.” He tugged her to her feet.

“Wait! You want to go now? What about the waterfall? I was thinking we could have a repeat performance.”

Blaze pulled Eden close. He kissed her until she was gasping, and he was seriously considering taking her up on that offer.

“We’ll get the chance to have plenty more repeat performances. This needs to be sorted. I can’t wait any longer to tell them about you.”

Eden grabbed her damp clothes and held them in front of her, but she didn’t start dressing.

“Is something wrong?” Blaze shrugged into his own clothing. It clung to him, but he barely noticed. He needed to get this resolved. He was done waiting.

She licked her lips. “I’ve never met anyone’s parents before. I mean, I spoke to your parents, but they had no idea who I was.”

“My mom was getting the idea that you’re more than a friend.”