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NATALIE
Igrab the package on the front step and quietly open the door to sneak back inside. I take a breath when I don’t see Tucker anywhere and walk down the hallway towards the kitchen.
“Whatcha got there?”
I just about jump out of my skin at his voice, and my hand flies to my chest, trying to slow my heart rate.
“You scared me.” I turn around to look at him, keeping the package in my hand out of his line of sight.
“Why are you sneaking around, Nat?” His voice is deep, and if I hadn’t caught the twitch at the corner of his mouth, I’d be worried he was mad.
“I’m not sneaking around. You’re the one doing the scaring.”
“What do you have in your hand?” He raises an eyebrow, which is both annoying and stupidly hot.
My shoulders drop as I give up the pretense of not being sneaky and hold up the box in my hand.
“I bought another one.”
Tucker’s booming laugh has me looking up at him, and a smile starts to curl on my own face.
It’s been three months since the fire and Kyle’s attack. I had to stay in the hospital for about three weeks so the doctors could make sure all of my injuries had healed properly. Between my brain, the burns, and my spleen, it was a lot to monitor.
After I was discharged, I moved in with Tucker. Because the majority of my stuff was destroyed in the fire, I didn’t have much to bring over. Easiest move ever…
And since I was starting from scratch, I found this website with these adorable decorations matching my obsession with gold and black. I’ve been trying so hard not to buy the entire store since Tucker’s house has been taken over by my style already.
I feel a little bad about it.
Sort of.
“Open it up, let’s see it.”
My excitement shoots through me at his words, and I run to get the scissors. Walking back to the package on the counter, I quickly open it and pull out my latest find.
A gorgeous gold-speckled lamp with a funky light shade.
I sigh. “It’s perfect.”
I look at Tucker, and his eyebrows are furrowed like he’s both amused and confused.
“It matches the pillows I just bought, and it’s going to look awesome in the living room!” I explain.
“Okay, love.” He leans in and kisses my temple like he’s just pacifying me. “You know I don’t care if you buy this stuff, right?”
“But I’ve taken over the house! It’s mostly my style. I feel guilty you’re not getting much of a say.”
“Nat, you saw my house before you moved in. There was a couch, a chair, a TV, and nothing else. Plus, I like your style.”
He pulls me into him and my arms naturally go around his waist. Looking up into his dark chocolate eyes has me all swoony and happy.
He’s been amazing over the past few months as I’ve tried to heal and get used to the way my body looks now. The fire burned mostly my arms and legs but parts of my stomach as well. It’s been an adjustment to see the scars and marks, but it’s also a reminder that I survived.
Tucker is always tracing the scars. The way he looks at me when he does it has been the best therapy. He worships my body, and knowing he still sees me the same as before the fire, gives me the space to accept what has happened.
The ringing of a cell phone interrupts our moment. Tucker quickly grabs it off of the counter, answering it in his gruff tone.
I step away from him to start putting together my lamp, but when his words register, I find his eyes are on me. He has the biggest smile stretching across his face. I clasp my hands together and hold them against my mouth so I don’t scream at him to tell me what’s being said.
