Page 44 of Crossing the Line

“If you take the job. I’ll come with you. I’ll follow you anywhere. Just please, give me another chance.”

If I still had any uncertainty about his commitment to me, those words washed it away. He was offering to walk away from everything to be at my side. It sure as hell seemed like he wasn’t scared anymore.

Going up on my tiptoes, I pressed a kiss to Damien’s lips. He sucked in a sharp breath in surprise, but it only lasted a second before his arms came around me, his hands on the exposed skin of my back.

There was a possessive edge to the way he kissed me back, his lips moving against mine and his tongue deepening our connection. I let myself get swept away, knowing that I was right where I was always supposed to be. My heart beat in sync with his, and I felt claimed and cherished.

“I love you too,” I said, ripping my mouth away from his. Damien’s breathing was ragged, his eyes wild, and I liked seeing him come undone like this.

Then, his face split in the most brilliant smile I’d ever seen. It rivaled the sun shining brightly above us.

“Is there any way that I can talk you into skipping the party?” he asked.

I laughed. “Are you insane? You’re the best man! I’m pretty sure you’re expected to give a speech.”

His arms were still around me, and he nuzzled my neck. “I’m tired of talking. I’d much rather get started on this second chance you’ve given me.”

“And risk Aunt Cathy’s wrath?”

“You’ve got a point.” He released me but grabbed my hand as we started to make our way back to the resort where the reception was probably well-underway. “So… would you rather sleep in my room tonight or yours?”

I smiled as warm happiness spread through my chest. I had no idea when I came to this island for my cousin’s wedding that I would find my own happy ending. But now that I had, I was never letting go.

Epilogue: Damien

Istirred the pot of chili as I listened to the noise in the other room. The firehouse could get loud sometimes. There were usually at least twelve firefighters here when we weren’t out on a call, most of them men, and those long twenty-four-hour shifts could cause restlessness. Music blared in the gym, men talked shit in the kitchen, and Ryan snored so loud that it rattled the damn windows. I had no idea how Leanne put up with it.

Today, it was louder than usual because of the kids visiting. I knew there were supposed to be ten of them coming, and it sounded like they were all chattering away as they were given a tour of the firehouse.

“Okay, kids. Settle down!”

I smiled at the sound of that voice, raised above all the rest. Kelsie was here, even though she didn’t usually go out on trips like this with the kids anymore since she was promoted nine months ago. After we got back from Sirona Isle, she decided to pass on the job in Minneapolis, but my girl was smart, and she was able to leverage that offer into a promotion here in Chicago. She was now a program director and damn good at her new job.

But she decided to get a little field experience today, for old time’s sake.

The kids filed into the kitchen then, some of them looking around curiously while others looked bored. Ryan was leading the tour, and he gestured for everyone to gather around the kitchen table, which was more than big enough to fit them all. “Kids, allow me to introduce you to my fellow firefighter and friend, Damien Hawkins. He’s making his famous firehouse chili.”

One of the kids, a boy with blue-tipped hair, rolled his eyes. “Chili in a firehouse? Really? Isn’t that a little cliché?”

Kelsie frowned, and I could tell she was about to reprimand the boy, but I just chuckled. “It’s a cliché for a reason. Chili’s a good, cheap way to feed a lot of hungry firefighters.”

“I want to try it,” a girl said, batting her eyelashes at me. She couldn’t be older than sixteen. My stomach turned, and I snapped my eyes to Kelsie, who looked like she was trying not to laugh at my panic.

“Everyone take a seat,” Kelsie said, directing the girl to a chair at the head of the table, furthest away from me. I appreciated that. I didn’t need some kid flirting with me.

I dished up the chili into bowls while Ryan passed out cornbread. It was simple food but good, the kind that sticks to your ribs.

While the kids dug in, Kelsie made her way over to where I was standing with a smirk on her face. “You know, making chili for everyone seems like you’re trying to impress someone. Wonder who that could be?”

I chuckled. “Well, I hear the woman that runs this program is hot. Thought I’d see if I could win her favor with some delicious food.”

“Oh, I don’t know if you want to go there. I hear she’s engaged.”

Kelsie played with the ring on her left hand as she spoke, a habit that she’d gotten into since I gave it to her a week ago. I’d taken her on a hike to a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and popped the question with a princess-cut diamond ring and a sappy speech that made her cry just like she did on that beach a year ago.

Happy tears. Only happy tears.

“He’s one lucky guy,” I said, putting an arm around her waist to pull her in for a sideways hug. Kelsie’s eyes darted to the kids, but they were all too preoccupied with the food and talking to notice what we were doing.