Page 47 of Set My Soul Ablaze

LEI:

IKTR bestie boo

“We’re pulling into the parking garage now, my love.” Flame’s voice took my attention away from Joylei.

“Okay. I’m on the third level near the elevators.”

“Perfect.”

We disconnected the call. I typed a quick text to Joylei as I got out of the driver’s seat. I adjusted the seat for Flame. He was a lot taller than me, so I wanted to make sure he didn’t have to do too much to get comfortable in my seat.

“Hey, you.”

I stood up straight and turned to see my man. I waved to Connor as he drove off. Flame wore his CCFD uniform shirt witha pair of gray slacks. He had a single gold chain around his neck and his station boots. He looked good as fuck.

“Hey.”

We closed the distance between us. His arms opened and pulled me into a much-needed hug. I melted into his embrace. He rubbed my back and laid his head on top of mine.

“Thank you for coming to get me. I’m still visibly shaken up about this.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not ready to talk about. Let me get you home and settled in, baby.”

I gazed up into his fierce brown eyes and smiled. “How did I get so lucky?”

He pecked my lips. “The fates wrote our love in the stars well before we ever met. I know God made you just for me, and I’m going to make sure I spend the rest of my life showing up for you in every capacity you need me to.”

After one more long, lingering kiss, he walked me over to the passenger side of my car and opened the door for me. Once I was in, he got in the driver’s seat and still had to adjust the seat and mirrors.

“I tried to get it right, but I think I’ll just save these settings so when you get in the car, it automatically adjusts.”

He grinned. “You’re so cute.”

I sat back in the seat and watched Flame drive out of the parking garage. He looked so good while he drove. His muscles moved, and his side profile was so attractive. We rode in silence for a long time.

My mind debated whether to tell Flame the full extent of what happened. I didn’t want to keep him in the dark, and if I had to appear in court eventually, he would find out—but fear consumed me.

It scared me to think Flame would hurt Juda.

It scared me to think Juda could hurt Flame. Juda tried to kill me. If he eventhoughtabout trying to hurt Flame . . .

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Flame met my gaze briefly.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

He glanced at me. “What are you talking about?”

“Juda . . . He’s the one who set the house on fire. He tried to kill me . . .”

The frog climbed up my throat, forcing me to swallow hard. I didn’t want to cry, at least not right now. I had to push through to get this out.

“He almost killed me . . . I don’t want him to hurt you, either. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if someone from my past hurt the man I want to build a future with.”

“Your ex set the fire?” Flame clarified.

I nodded. “Yes, he did. I pressed charges with the company, and they said an officer would contact me soon to complete the report.”

He nodded. His demeanor remained calm. He glanced at me and offered a reassuring smile as he said, “Yeah, Cade’s Cove Police Department doesn’t play. I’ve got a couple of friends on the force. I’ll check on that report when I get back to the station. You have my word he won’t get away with this.”