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“I know, but torturing you in the meantime will make the wait worth it.”

“Ass,” I grumble. “Did you break my coffee pot?”

“No… Did the magical coffee fairy bestow a new one upon us?!” He moves to the appliance on the counter, mock shock and awe on his face. I fight to keep my features impassive, but it’s near impossible when he’s being such a goof to make me laugh.

“Areyouthe coffee pot fairy?”

He completely abandons the skit, “Yes. I broke it the other day. I tried to get the exact same one but they didn’t have any. This one’s supposed to be better though, it has a clock you can set so it’ll start brewing whenever you tell it to.”

“You know I don’t care about that stuff as long as it makes coffee, right?”

“Yeah, but I do. If I can gain five minutes of cuddle time with you, it’s worth it.”

“Sap.”

“Only for you. Now, go get dressed. We’re going for a ride.”

Graves

An hour later, my ass is numb, and my stomach hurts something fierce. A quad ride may not have been the best way to spend the day together, but there’s so much beautyin the woods she deserves to witness. Also, I know without a doubt, she would want to see this abandoned forest fire lookout tower.

Her helmet bumps into the back of mine as she squeezes me from behind, squealing with glee as I hold back my groan of agony. She’s off the ATV before it’s completely stopped, and racing towards the ladder. “Can we go up there?” she yells. Her helmet hits the ground, and without waiting for my response, she’s already climbed three rungs.Why bother asking if you’re not going to wait for a response?I can’t help the absolute happiness I feel watching her, the biggest smile plastered on her face.

“Go ahead.” I usher her up with a wave of my hand then turn to grab the bag from the storage compartment.

“Nox! It’s locked.” She yells from the top of the ladder, and I can’t deny I’m shocked she made it to the top that fast.

“Coming!” Slinging the duffle over my shoulder, I dart to the ladder and start my ascent.

She’s started to climb down as I come up behind her. “Go back up there.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said it’s locked.”

Holding tight to the weathered metal, I fish my keys from my pocket, handing them to her. Her eyes widen in surprise, then soften in adoration. “You didn’t.”

“I found it while looking for you, and didn’t want any vandals ruining it before you got a chance to see it.”

“Nox…”

“Do you remember what happened the last time we were on a ladder together?”

Mallory’s face flushes, “Yes.”

“Then I suggest you get a move on or there will be a repeat…and this time there’s a very real possibility of death if we fall.”

“You’d never let me fall,” she says with a confidence I envy. Her faith in me is unshakable, and I can’t fathom how. I didn’t find her. I’m not her hero. I’m a failure who’s not worthy of her love, much less even being in her presence. Sparing her the self-deprecating remarks, I force a smile her way. “What key is it?”

“The one with the blue cover.”

“A colour I don’t have yet.”

“I know.” All of Mal’s keys are colour coded, and it’s one of the little quirks that make her…her.She turns back around and climbs up to the top, fiddling with the lock.

I slink up behind her, dragging the tip of my nose up the back of her leg. “I’m trying to focus,” she growls as I lightly nip at her. Just as before, I bury my face between her thighs and breathe her in. Her legs stiffen as the keys jingle loudly. “This key isn’t fucking working! Are you sure it’s the blue one?”

“Did I say blue? I meant black.”

“Are you kidding me?” she mumbles from above as I climb higher, wrapping my body protectively around hers. I kiss along the column of her throat as she works the lock free, pocketing it and the keys.