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“Okay, so I can see wanting to toast the cabin,” Dan said, “but what about the house?”
“Apparently, she’s been working on this herself for weeks,” Will stated hearing sirens in the distance. “I checked in at the house and the place is completely redone from when we were last in there to clear out her things. She’s been repainting it, healing it and I think herself. There’s a paper from a real estate agent on the counter. She has it ready to list.”
“That sounds like Liv,” Jess said, and he heard the calmness in her voice now.
“It does and it is her,” he agreed. “She’s coming back to us. She just doesn’t want a birthday this year, no presents, no worries about what might be lurking in the shadows of her mind.”
“Okay, just take care of her for us Will,” Helen said, and he agreed he would before hanging up to meet the firemen who’d arrived.
“What happened?” the first asked as they got out unloading their hoses.
“My friend was going through some of the things in the cabin and it grew dark, she didn’t want to come out to the box to try and get the power on so she lit a lantern, it broke starting the fire,” Will hedged.
“That’d make it go up quick that’s for sure,” he replied as they moved over to put it out.
A couple police officers responded, and Will moved over to Liv’s side as they took in the cabin and her. They headed towards them, stopping when recognition hit, Will could tell. He saw them talking with the fireman he’d spoke to, then watched one make a phone call and he kissed Liv’s temple before moving over towards them.
“Evening,” the first stated with a glance towards Olivia.
“Evening,” he replied. “Is there anything you need from us, or can I take Liv home? It’s been a rough day on her.”
“I’m sure the insurance adjusters will want a signed statement from her but honestly I say good riddance to the place,” he responded. “If she wants it burnt to a crisp, it’s her business.”
“It was an accident—mostly,” Will stated and he nodded.
“She’s been through enough for five lifetimes,” the second said hanging up the phone. “Take her home; she doesn’t need to deal with this aftermath.”
“Thanks, her dad and brother are going to come out to pick up her car,” he said pointing it out, “can you keep an eye on it for us? They shouldn’t be but an hour.”
“We’ll stay until it’s cleared. If anyone asks we’ll claim no one was here when it happened,” he assured him, and Will shook their hands moving over to guide Liv to his car.
“He would hate this,” Olivia said as they pulled out onto the main road.
“What? The cabin being burnt down?” Will asked well aware of who she meant.
“That but mostly me…smiling with you on my birthday, destroying the panic he put in me to feel on it.”
“Becoming our Livy just to spite him?” Will said, giving her a smile as he kissed her hand. “Then by all means, spite away.”
“I think I will,” she stated watching him drive with a smile on her lips, love in her heart and ease of mind.
Chapter 12
Olivia moved around the bedroom listening to the shower turn on. Will offered to let her go first but she hadn’t wanted to wash away the light layer of smoke yet. It helped to comfort her, and she wanted a tiny bit more of that right now. She was nervous, she knew Will would never make the first move, and she was trying to figure out the best approach to take, the least embarrassing method to use.
She saw herself in the floor mirror and for once, she didn’t look away. She slid her t-shirt over her head, unclasping her bra, letting them both fall to the floor as she stepped out of her jeans, taking the underwear with them, and returned her gaze to the mirror. A slight smile touched her lips, and she took the elastic band holding her hair up out, letting it trail down her body, half shielding it from view.
The bruises were gone, light scars remained but on a general glance they weren’t recognizable, and she didn’t want to wait. She gathered her clothes, slipping into the bathroom to put them in the hamper, then moved over to the opening for the shower.
She silently walked into it, smiling at the sight of Will’s naked back, moving until she could slip her hands around his waist, press her body against his. She felt his small shock of surprise but to his credit, he didn’t instantly turn around and attempt anything.
Will’s heart settled back into rhythm, and he took a deep breath as the feel of Livy’s body pressed against his, instantly woke his desires. He slid his hands down to rest on her arms and felt her lips gently kiss his back. “Livy…”
“I know Will,” she said softly before taking the biggest leap she could. She eased her arms to his sides, turning him around to face her, her heart constricting at the awe on his face as he took her in completely.
“Livy, baby,” he groaned before lowering his lips to hers, keeping his hands on her waist and in her hair. “You are gorgeous, completely gorgeous.”
“Love me,” she said letting her hands rest on his hips.
