Beauty in the Ashes

I turned around to see that a meal was spread out on the tile bar top. I had the urge to spread her on top, but I knew we needed to eat. The other would come in time.

She’d prepared a salad, baked potatoes, and some kind of fish. It smelled heavenly and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a meal like this.

She appeared apprehensive. “I hope this is okay.”

I laughed, pulling her against me and placing a kiss on her lips. “Don’t go getting shy on me now, Hale. Where’s that know-it-all attitude I love.”

She pulled out of my arms and gave me a light shove. Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, “Alright, I worked hard to make you a nice meal. Eat it and like it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I mock saluted her.

I sat down at one of the barstools and noted the fact that she’d poured us each a glass of cold water. No alcohol was in sight.

Maybe I shouldn’t have left her alone in the kitchen. I wouldn’t put it past her to dump out all my drinks.

She picked up her fork and looked at me. “Eat!”

I laughed. I might give her grief for it, but I loved her bossy attitude.

I took a bite of the fish and flavors exploded across my tongue. “This is really good,” I assured her as she stared me down, making sure I ate. “You might have to cook all my meals.”

She rolled her eyes, and muttered, “Let’s not get carried away.”

We bantered back and forth easily through the meal. I hadn’t laughed or smiled that much in…well…five years.

When we’d finished eating, we both cleaned up—goofing around and making a mess of the bubbles in the sink. It felt so good to have fun and act my age for a change.

Grasping her by the waist, I spun her around, dancing to the sound of our beating hearts.

I lifted her on to the counter, and pressed kisses against her neck where her pulse raced. “You have no idea how many times I’ve pictured you spread out here with me inside you.”

She wiggled away, and slowly eased up her shirt until her full breasts were exposed, held by a lacy black bra. I’d been too occupied earlier to notice how good she looked in that bra.

“Why don’t we make that fantasy a reality?”

At her grin, I knew my eyes had darkened with lust. I didn’t see how I’d ever tire of this woman. I wanted her all day, every day. Maybe even for the rest of my life.

“Mmm,” I hummed, capturing her lips with mine, “yes.”

When she tried to pull my shirt off and was unsuccessful, she then moved to my jeans. I grabbed her hands in mine and pinned them beside her head. Laying across her torso, I swept my nose along the curve of her neck. “Slow, Sutton.”

Her mouth parted slightly and with hooded eyes, she nodded.

Going slow was just as hard for me as it was for her, but I knew it was what we both needed.

I wanted to worship her, and show her that she didn’t need to be punished for what happened to her. She had been a little girl, and she didn’t deserve that. If I ever saw the fucker that did this to her I’d send him to an early grave.

Pushing all thoughts of that man out of my mind, my fingers curled into her soft hair. For once, she didn’t smell like coconuts. She smelled like me.

“I want to hold you forever,” I admitted, almost hoping I’d spoke the words too soft for her to even hear. But she did.

“Forever is a very long time,” she murmured, gliding her finger over my lips.

“It is,” I concurred, “but it’s never enough.”

When you think about it, we’re each gifted with little bits of forever. The time I had with my family—while short—was our forever. It was the time we were given, because we didn’t need anymore. I’d always be able to look back and remember them. That time didn’t disappear. It was always there. Thus, existing forever. The short term could be as powerful as the long term. We were all a bunch of ticking time bombs, and it was up to us to utilize every second of our lives and make it count. I’d been throwing my seconds away for a long time, but not anymore.

I tenderly explored her body with my fingers and mouth. I wanted to make her feel safe. After the horrors she’d experienced, she deserved no less.