More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
We all know the risks of the job. He knew. I know. We’re Hotshots—wildland firefighters—and the risk of not coming home is always high, no matter how well trained and how meticulous we are in the field.
I vow to honor my dad, his bravery, and his sacrifice to the best of my ability. Because honor is all I have in the wake of my grief.
attention to Teddy. “You’re not alone, sweetheart. We’re right here.” I want to comfort her in some way. Hold her. Make her realize she’s not alone. Because I’m right here. Fuck am I glad I came home instead of heading down to Shifty’s.
Because Xander is a career Sky Ridge Hotshot; a wildfire firefighter. And I’ll never be with another man with a dangerous job.
God, the sound of my name on his lips is intoxicating. That low, gravelly rumble of his voice does something to my insides, turns my heart to thrumming and parts of me that haven’t been acknowledged in almost a year to awakening. I haven’t heard a man say my name in that husky, low tone in so long… Some days I forget my name is something other than some variation of Mom.
“Don’t ever let me hear you talk about yourself like that, do you understand? You’re perfect just like this.”
“I’ve wanted to feel you against me. You feel fucking perfect right where you are. Fuck, Teddy, this is all I’ve wanted. All I’ve thought about.”
“But I’m so tired of fighting this. I’m crazy about you, Teddy. You’re all I think about anymore. Every waking thought and every dream at night…it’s all you. It's only been you.”
“Dear lord, did your ovaries just explode? Because that was like top tier level dad-hotness,” Vi laughs, fanning herself. I blush scarlet and cover my cheeks with my palms. “Good for Xander.”
“I’m crazy about you,” he continues, his eyes laser focused on mine. “That means every part of you, Mama, and your kids are a part of you. It might have to happen before the fire season starts, but we’ll go to a game. I keep my word.”
know you deserve so much more, but I’d like to try to give you the world, beautiful. If you’ll let me.”
“I’m probably a caveman for saying this, but I very much like the idea of my cum dripping out of you right now.”
“It just means that I’m going to do everything in my power to get back here as quickly as I can. Because now I’ve got you here waiting for me.”
“You’re the first person I want to see when I come back,”
“It’s okay. I just need you to know. I told you I was done fighting this, and I meant it. You and these kids mean the world to me. I don’t want just casual with you. I want everything, beautiful.”
“Yeah, I think so. You make Mom smile, so it makes me happy.”
“I’d like to spend all of my nights with you like this, Teddy. When I’m home. I want to be with you and the kids,” he says quietly, and I can sense that he’s still staring at me. “If that’s what you want.”
“When you’re ready to move on from that ghost in your bed, let me know, Teddy. Because I can’t keep competing with a dead man’s ghost for your heart, and I sure as hell won’t be a placeholder in your bed for him either.”
midsection when I realize what he’s doing. Kissing me gently, he says, “Just making sure you’re all safe. My entire heart is in this vehicle, Teddy.”
