Page 198 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

“The second thing is…” he seems to weigh whether or not he should ask the question on his mind.

“Go on,” I urge him.

“Give me six months,” he says, his tone determined. “Six months, which is the same amount of time we were together the first time, but with a completely new relationship. We can choose right now to hit the reset button—to let go of all those past hurts and history and find out who Shae and Storm are as a coupletoday. And if at the end of the six months you still don’t feel like I’m trustworthy, then we can figure out a way to co-exist and work together for the kids.”

He waits, seeming like he’s holding his breath while waiting for my response. I don’t need to think about my answer. All I’ve been doing for the last few weeks isthinking.It’s time for me to act, even though it’s scary as fuck.

“Come with me,” I say, tugging on his hands. He follows behind me without resistance, and I lead us down the stairs. We stop in front of the mosaic Storm created.

“I love your art, Storm. The symbolism behind it is stunning, but can I offer my perspective?”

He stares at me hard, as if trying to catch a double meaning in my expression.

“I always want to know what you think, Sweetness.”

I smile at that, then turn back to the piece.

“You say if the fire and water go too far, they’ll destroy each other, but I think it’s more about balance.”

“Balance?” he asks, closer to me now.

“Yes,” I say, tilting my head when sunlight comes through the window and hits the glass, casting blue and orange fractals across the concrete floor. “Look at it again, Storm. There’s something beautiful about how they are both at full power; the river rages, and the fire roars, but they’re working alongside each other. Neither one dims the other, and they’re not trying to.”

We both fall silent as the light moves, making blue and orange reflections dance together at our feet.

“There’s space for two powerful forces to exist alongside each other,” he says, softly, then hums.

“Yes,” I reply, facing him fully. “There’s space for me to be myself, and there’s room for you to be the real you, too.”

I place my palm on his cheek.

“I love you, Storm Sandoval. I’ve loved you for so damn long that I don’t know hownotto love you.”

He shifts his face, pressing a tender kiss to the inside of my wrist.

“And when I say I love you, I mean I loveallof you. Even the parts you don’t want me to see. Even the parts you think willdestroy me. Because here’s the thing—” I grab his face in both of my palms, making him look directly in my eyes.

“I love you…and I loveme.I’m strong, Storm. I’m just as mentally and emotionally strong as you. We’re equals, so you don’t have to make unilateral decisions to protect me. In fact, you don’t get that privilege.”

He makes a hard sound in his throat, but his face doesn’t change, and I know he’s taking in everything I’m saying.

“I’m not a damsel you need to save. I’m not a weak woman who can’t handle adversity. What happened eight years agoshouldhave destroyed me, even though I know you thought you were freeing me. But guess what? It didn’t break me. Not even your fire could burn me to ash.”

I take in a deep breath, expanding my lungs.

“I don’t need six months, Storm. I don’t need to figure anything else out. I just need to know one thing: Will you let me walk beside you, truly stand beside you as your partner? Or can you only see me as someone to protect?”

The words linger between us, energy swirls around us, becausethisis what it all comes down to—if Storm is able to see me in my power, just as I see him in his vulnerability….

…and we accept and cherish each other anyway.

I spot the moment when it all clicks for him, when the thread snaps.

“You’ve always been the one I’d go to war for…and stand beside on the battlefield. I don’t just want to be your shield, Sweetness. I want to be your fire, your storm—your match.”

A second later, his lips are on mine.

Things happen so quickly, it amplifies the spinning in my head.