Page 79 of Bound By Flames

“I, I’m sorry, my thoughts are all over the place, and I’m afraid you won’t get me because I’m such a mess—” She shakes her head while a tear falls from her perfect face to the fabric of her green dress.

“Take your time. We’ve got all the time in the world. I’m listening,” I assure her, knowing now that the way to do things with my girl isn’t to rush or push her.

She exhales loudly. “I don’t know how to explain, but you know when people ask you what your dream is when you’re a kid? And children always say firemen, astronauts and such?”

I nod, showing her I’m all ears even if I don’t know where my girl’s going.

“Well, my dream has always been, um, small.”

“Small?”

“I never dreamed of becoming a movie star or earning tons of money. My dream—” she swallows, “my dream has always been small. All I ever wanted was to have a home, one where I’d be myself in, one where I could retrieve when the outside world didn’t seem safe anymore. My dream has always been to find that place. It’s stupid, I know.”

“No, it’s not, Mia. Look at me, it’s not stupid.” I take her little chin between my calloused fingers.

A sad chuckle escapes her perfect lips. “Growing up, I figured my dream would never come true because I was too used to having a cold father and a narcissistic mother. Surely I couldn’t have what it took to create a peaceful home,” she continues, her voice trembling.

"And now…it feels too good to be true, so I do the only thing I know… I run away from it.” She wipes a tear. “I don’t want to run anymore. I’m tired of running.”

“Mia, I’m here now. You got a home. It’s yours. You can be yourself there. It’s yours,” I tell her, my palm backing her nape.

“I don’t know if I can handle it—” Her shoulders flinch.

“You can, you’re strong. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

She shakes her head, looking at me like I matter to her. “I’m trying.”

“I know you are, but if you ever feel like running away again, give me a heads up, and I’ll catch you, princess. I promise.” I grin softly at her, her words cutting deep through my ribs and pointing straight to my black, bruised heart.

Don’t run.

Don’t run away from us, Mia.

“Okay,” she murmurs with a broken voice.

“Okay,” I answer back, taking her in my arms and kissing her fiery hair.

“We should probably get back,” she says, clearing her throat.

“Nah fuck it, we stayed long enough. Time to gohome,princess.”

Chapter 18

Mia

“Hey,” a deep, velvety voice says.

“Hey,” I rasp, my sleepy tone escaping out of my lips, the early lights of the sunrise shining through the curtains.

“Go back to sleep, princess. Gotta go to the club,” he says, kissing my forehead while I open my eyes slowly.

“I’ve barely seen you this week.” I pout, wishing we could have spent more time together.

“Missing me, Mrs Malone?” He grins wickedly.

“You wish.” I smirk, sending a pillow flying on his head. He grabs it before it reaches its target and shoves it on the floor.

His gaze softens. “I know, sorry ‘bout that, lots going on, never enough hours in the day.”