Light Me Up

SARA

Five days had passedsince that phone call. Theo and I were existing in some kind of half-life relationship. We barely talked, but he brought me to and from work each day. We took turns making dinner or ordering takeout. We slept in the same bed but didn’t touch each other. It was hell. And I knew it was my fault. He couldn’t be happy with this situation, but he kept it going anyway, and that made me even more upset. I felt at fault for all of this. I felt trapped and paralyzed and a burden.

Theo had formed a task force to look into all of the threats, and to trace the movements of any and all Motorcycle Clubs in the area, who may or may not be an ally of Devil’s Rain. If they showed up here, we’d hopefully have a head’s up. But this was a sophisticated gang, used to evading federal agencies. Theo was amazing at his job, but could a small town sheriff’s office really compete against that and win?

The town was quiet as Landry and I closed up shop and as promised, she walked me across the street to Theo’s office. I was still frustrated about the escort, more so about the fact that I needed one at all, but it wasn’t Landry’s fault, so I kept my mouth shut.

“A storm is coming,” I said, looking up at the sky. The clouds overhead blanketed us, not a single star to be seen. The moon was missing. It felt like an omen.

“Yeah, I heard. Too early for a hurricane, too late for a nor’easter.”

“Just a bad storm system. I guess they don’t all have names.”

Landry looked over at me, but didn’t say anything else.

“I’m just gonna wait out here,” I said to her as we reached the parking lot. Theo’s truck was parked next to his police cruiser by the edge of the lot that overlooked the water. I could spend a few minutes watching the boats and the sea. I thought it would calm me, but Landry looked nervous.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Oh please, I’ll be fine. I’m in the Town Hall parking lot. There are ten cop cars here, not to mention a ton of cameras. I think I’m safe.”

Landry shrugged her shoulders and shifted her weight from foot to foot. “I promised Theo.”

“Ugh since when does everyone think he should have final say on my life?”

“Well… he’s the sheriff.”

“Even more reason to ignore him!”

I shook my head and walked over to the edge of the lot. A stone fence surrounded the lot and dropped off into the sea below. I leaned my elbows against it, regretting my outburst. Theo and my friends were just trying to help keep me safe.

But that’s what I was ultimately concerned about. They were worried about me, but I was the one who brought this danger to Moon Harbor. If someone else got hurt—or worse—it would be my fault. I couldn’t bear that. Once more, the instinct deep inside me to just leave grew stronger, the anxiety and uncertainty pressing against my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Tears flooded my eyes as the waves hit the sea wall and sprayed me with salt. I didn’t know what to do. I loved this town, it’d become my home. I loved The Witch’s Brew, it gave me a whole new life, one I’d poured my soul into. But was any of that worth the risk of my friends getting hurt because of me?

If Devil’s Rain was out there watching, they would know if I left. They’d have no reason to mess with anyone here in town. My loved ones would be safe. But would they come looking for me? Theo would. Damn him.

I needed to formulate a plan. Just in case. I didn’t have to decide now, but having a plan in place would help me sleep better, knowing the option was there. I stood there as the sun set, as the water in front of me transformed from deep blue to black. It was too early to see the stars, but I made a wish anyway. Please keep my friends safe.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Theo’s voice shouted from behind me, but I didn’t move. He could be angry, I wasn’t going to play his little power game. “Sara,” he said, grabbing my arm—not roughly, but enough to get my attention. I pulled it out of his grip.

“What is your problem now? I’m following your rules. I didn’t go home alone, I haven’t gone anywhere alone. I’m in the police station parking lot! Am I not safe here?”

“If I knew where you were and weren’t safe, this wouldn’t be an issue. Come on, you know how I feel. Last year, you had no problem with Sam keeping Alex on lockdown to make sure she was safe. What’s the difference?”

I didn’t have an answer for that, and he knew it, so he kept on talking, only this time, his voice got deep, low and dangerous.

“I’m doing every goddamn thing I can to stay a step ahead of these guys. To make sure you’re not in danger. And you’re still acting like this is all no big deal.”

“I am not. I know it’s a big deal, I’ve been through it before, Theo! I…” I didn’t know what to say, and maybe he was right. “I’m not trying to act like it’s not a big deal. Maybe I just don’t deserve it!”

The tears were back, only this time they escaped my eyes. Theo’s face softened the moment he noticed them flow onto my cheeks. He stepped forward, cupping my face in his hands, wiping my tears away with his thumbs. He started to say something, then stopped. He shook his head.

“Sara, you drive me crazy. How do you not know?”

“Know what?”

“That you deserve everything. You deserve the world.”

A breath rushed out of my lungs.

“I know how much strength you have inside you. I’m in awe of it everyday. But don’t mistake me—it’s okay to be delicate sometimes. In fact, it’s necessary.” He looked into my eyes. “I would do anything to keep you safe,” he said. His thumbs still rubbed circles on my cheeks, though the tears were gone. He brought his head down to rest against my forehead. Our breath mingled. Deja vu hit. It’d felt like so long since we’d touched each other.

A sudden shift settled in the atmosphere. And then, lightning.

Theo’s lips crashed down on mine, violently. His hands came down to grip my waist and mine flew to his head, pushing him harder against me. It was pure passion and thrill.

“You drive me so fucking crazy,” he growled between kisses, spinning me around and pushing me against the side of his police cruiser. I threw my head back against the car, giving him access to my neck, which he promptly took advantage of, leaving a trail of kisses and bites along my sizzling skin. “So fucking crazy.”

“You drive me crazier, with your power trips and your cockiness. The way you want to control everything.” I reached down to feel his cock, hard and ready under his work pants. He growled again and a satisfied smirk crossed my face until he grabbed me by the front of my dress and spun me around.

“You want to see power, baby?” He said against my ear as he wrapped one arm around the front of me, pulling my back flush against him. I felt every hard inch of him and it made me shiver from head to toe. “Bend over.”

“What?”