looked like a summer downpour—hard and brief. It would clear up, at least enough so they could go back to the house without getting soaked. However, they would certainly get their feet muddy.
“It should stop soon,” Devon reassured her.
“Here.” She extended his jacket back to him. “Thank you.”
He took his jacket back but didn’t put it on. “You didn’t get wet?”
She shook her head, her blond hair beautiful as always. “No, thanks to you.” She tilted her head at him. “Are you going to stand there until the rain stops?”
Devon frowned. “I don’t know.”
She patted the spot on the branch beside her. “It might take a while. You better rest.”
Devon hesitated. It was one thing to know he was falling for her, but another not to keep his distance, to respect boundaries. The closer he got to her, the harder it would be to stop himself from touching her.
It wasn’t wise.
Yet, when she patted the branch again, he didn’t resist.
Devon sat down but kept a good foot away from her. “It would have been a nice day, if it weren't for the rain.”
Kianna leaned back, a soft smile on her pink lips. “It was a good day. It still is.” She turned her eyes to him. “Since we have some time, why don’t you tell me something?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.” Her pretty eyes narrowed. “You don’t remember anything? From before?”
From before being a warrior? “No.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It must be hard, not knowing. Your family must be worried about you.”
“I’m fine right here,” he said, his voice low but firm, his eyes trained on her. If only she knew how true that statement was.
Blinking, Kianna looked out at the rain again. “When I was little, I loved rainy days, because my father didn’t have to work, so he played in the rain with me all day.”
Devon knew losing her father had been hard on them, but he was glad she had those memories to hold on to. Calvin and Selina had been young when he died and barely remembered him.
A gentle breeze blew past them, carrying a few strands of her hair over her shoulder. The scent of sweet, delicious cherry invaded his nostrils and filled his mind.
By the gods …
He jumped up, putting space between them, before he surrendered to her perfume and did something stupid. His back to her, he inhaled deeply, welcoming the refreshing scent of rain into his lungs.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Devon cleared his throat before glancing at her over his shoulder. “What? No. I just thought the rain was stopping.”
Please, gods, make this rain stop. I beg you.
As if they had listened to him for once, the rain softened to a patter before stopping. The road had turned to mud.
Devon looked back at Kianna’s boots. They were the nice kind, with a delicate fabric and a low heel. The mud would ruin her shoes, and right now, her family couldn’t afford new ones.
Devon crouched in front of her.
“What happened?” Kianna asked, her eyes wide.
“You’ll ruin your boots if you walk home now.” He reached for her hand and tugged her forward. “I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
Kianna frowned. “That’s not necessary.”
“It’s either that, or taking off your boots and walking in the mud barefoot.”
She stared at him. “It’ll be heavy …”
He was sure she was as light as a feather. He tugged on her arm once more. “Just come.”
Her cheeks reddening, Kianna stood and let Devon wrap her arms around his neck. He tried keeping his mind blank as he reached back and grabbed her legs, his fingers splayed around her thighs.
Even more enticing than that was her chest pressed against his back, her breath on his neck, and her cherry scent enveloping him again.
By the gods …
Devon counted to twenty before focusing on one step after another and getting them home. “Hold on tight,” he said.
And she did. Kianna held on to him as if her life depended on it.
Present
Kenna
When I needed a break from studying for the GED exam and repairing the house, I went for a walk. We had been here for six weeks now. I still felt like there was so much to discover, even though the town was the size of a button.
During my walks, I met some of the shop owners, greeted the elderly man who was always seated on the bench in the main square, reading a newspaper, had to flee from a hose shower while a middle-aged lady cleaned the sidewalk in front of her