Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 33213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Something molten spreads through my chest—terrifying, overwhelming, undeniable.
“Saxon,” I whisper again, because I can’t form anything else.
He swallows hard, eyes locked on mine, expression stripped bare.
He’s not the captain right now. Not the grumpy, controlled, rule-bound firefighter.
He’s just a man. A man who ran into fire for my daughter. A man who shielded her with his body. A man who came out burned and shaking—but alive. A man who loves her. And—God help me—maybe even a man who loves me.
Somewhere behind us, Rowan shouts, “Medic! Cap’s burned!”
But Saxon doesn’t look away.
“It wasn’t fake,” I whisper, voice cracking. “None of this was ever fake.”
His eyes soften. “I know.”
“And I was so afraid—”
“I know.”
“And I—” My throat closes. “I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” he rasps.
I press my forehead to his, Junie clutched between us, his breath ragged against my cheek. He smells like smoke and sweat and adrenaline. He feels like safety and danger wrapped into one. My voice comes out broken. “You’re our home.”
His breath catches. Just once. Then his eyes darken, fierce and reverent all at once.
“And you,” he murmurs, “are mine.”
I suck in a shaky breath. One of the medics reaches us. “Captain, we need to look at your burns—”
Saxon doesn’t move.
He cups my jaw with his uninjured hand, thumb brushing my cheek, gaze burning straight through me.
“Later,” he growls without looking away. “Not done here.”
The medic hesitates. “Saxon—”
“I said later.”
His voice drops to a whisper meant only for me. “I need you to know,” he says softly, “that I would run into fire every damn time if it meant bringing her back to you.”
Everything inside me folds inward—soft, shaking, undone.
“This is forever for me, Briar,” he murmurs. “Not fake. Not for show. Not just because of her. Because of you.”
Tears spill down my cheeks. I don’t look away. He doesn’t either. Junie sniffles between us. “Captain Saxon… don’t leave.”
Saxon swallows hard and presses his forehead to hers. “Never, kid.”
My heart splits wide open.
Then the other medic steps closer. “Cap—now.”
Saxon grits his teeth. “Fine.”
He stands slowly, pain tight in his jaw. He looks down at me one last time before stepping back.
“I’ll be okay,” he says.
“I know,” I whisper. “But I’m still terrified.”
He smirks softly. “Me too.”
They usher him toward the waiting ambulance, and he finally lets them check his arms.
But even as they lead him away, he keeps looking back at me. Once. Twice. Three times.
Like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he blinks. I hold Junie against my chest, rocking her gently. But my eyes stay on him. The man who risked everything for us. The man who ran toward my scream like it was the only sound that mattered. The man who held my daughter like she was his entire world. The man I’m done pretending I don’t love. This is no fake engagement. This is real. Raw. Terrifying. Beautiful. Forever.
And I know—deep in my bones—that loving Saxon Cole might burn me alive.
But after what I just saw?
He’s the only fire I’ll ever run toward again.
Chapter Twelve
Saxon
The second Junie is cleared by the medic and Briar stops shaking, the world starts to stitch itself back together. The sirens fade. The fire is mostly out and families gather in small clusters, whispering relief. Kids cling to their parents as the smoke thins in the air.
But I’m not watching any of them.
I’m watching Briar’s ex storm toward her across the parking lot—face twisted, jaw tight, looking like he wants to pick a fight with the whole world. Great. Just what I need.
“Briar!” he snaps. “What the hell was that? Leaving her alone in there? Letting some—some firefighter play hero?”
I stiffen.
He keeps going. “You can’t rely on men like him, Briar. They leave. They disappear. They’re babysitters with badges. That’s all. A uniform. Nothing real underneath.”
Briar tenses, eyes wide, protective arm around Junie.
He steps closer. “You think he’s some kind of savior? He’ll ditch you just like everyone else eventually. That’s what guys like him do.”
I walk toward them. Slow. Controlled. But every step might as well be a warning siren. He doesn’t see me coming until I’m two feet away.
Briar looks up—relief mixing with tension. “Saxon—”
Her ex scowls. “Oh look. Here’s your fake fiancée.”
I stop right in front of him. “Watch your mouth.”
“Or what?” he spits. “You gonna threaten me? In front of my daughter?”
“She’s not your daughter when it’s convenient,” I say. “You don’t get to play protective father tonight.”
His face contorts with anger. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you didn’t run into that building,” I growl. “I know you didn’t carry her out. And I know you’re damn lucky she’s still breathing.”
He opens his mouth, stupid enough to argue.
I cut him off, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’d marry her right now.”
Silence drops like a weight. Parents stop talking. Kids freeze. Even Rowan, standing twenty feet away, mutters “Holy shit.”