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Cedarwood and peppermint.
I’ve never considered anywhere my home, but I think it’s Jake’s scent. It feels like home.
Our eyes are rimmed red, and our hearts are slowly breaking for the loss of each other.
Because now isn’t our time.
He presses forward, lips so close my skin tingles. Even in the darkness, he makes me feel the heat of the sun.
He exhales against my mouth, and I devour it.
My life support.
When he fills me over and over again, working my body until I’m dizzy, my head falls back.
The bruises.
I try to hide them. He shouldn’t have to look.
But he doesn’t let me. Instead, his fingers tangle in my hair, and with his thumb under my chin, he tilts my head back before pressing his lips to every tender marking. With every kiss, he gives me back every breath that was stolen. With every touch, the words, “I love you,” are whispered against my flesh.
Getting lost in him has allowed me to find a part of myself.
But it belongs to him anyway.
Our bodies tense together as I dig my nails into the taut muscles in his back.
The heat builds and builds. A part of me wishes it wouldn’t because when this is over, so are we.
A shudder works its way between us as we find our release together.
“Claire,” he groans, kissing away the cries of pleasure from my mouth.
Panting, the world settles, and realization blooms.
Brushing my hair off my shoulder, he presses his lips to mine, and I fall into our black hole with a moan. I want to stay here just for a minute. I want to take everything in. I want to remember how he feels, how he touches me, how he tastes. I want to remember this moment, so if our time ever comes, I’ll know what it’s like when memories don’t taint it.
Pulling away, breathless and torn, he holds my face between his fingers, pressing the other hand under the small of my back while I cling to his shoulders.
“I don’t want to let you go just yet,” I cry.
He rests his head against mine. “When you’re ready, we’ll do it together.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Amy is sitting on the front step when we arrive. Mama is tending to her flowers.
I don’t have my car yet. It’s part of evidence. Sam assures us the case will be closed soon. It’s pretty open and shut.
I never asked Jake why he ran back in.
I never asked what happened when he did.
I was told Rob shot himself and was already dead when Jake got to him. I won’t insult him by questioning it.
I also don’t blame him if it’s not the truth.
The fire did too much damage to know.
