Only Her Smokejumper Firefighter - Cami Checketts Page 0,3

was unfathomable and more than a little uncomfortable.

But she couldn’t deny that she loved being in his arms.

“How can you be so sure He’s in the details of your life?”

“Yours too,” Ren insisted. “But for me, I’ve felt Him. His protection, His mercy, His love, too many times to ever doubt.”

Mavyn was amazed by him and amazed at her response to him. His faith made him even stronger and more appealing, but she couldn’t just start believing. She’d distanced herself too far from faith.

Her shoulders drooped and she admitted, “He doesn’t care about me.”

Ren nodded, adamant in his belief. “He cares. I promise you, Mavyn, He cares.” His voice dropped low and husky. “And I care too.”

Mavyn’s stomach hopped as if she’d jumped off a cliff. She pushed away all the evangelical talk and focused on him. “I hardly know you, Ren, but I … care about you too,” she admitted. Ren couldn’t have any idea the leap those words were for her. They’d shared a lot tonight, everything except her deepest secrets. The truth was that she was irreparably damaged. She should not be indulging in these moments of heaven with him or admitting she cared.

He gave her a meaningful look that seemed to dart around all her scars, penetrate through her cracks, and dive deep into her soul. How could he care so deeply when they hardly knew each other? She had no idea. Maybe it was the Spirit that was strong in him, maybe it was simply they were meant to be.

She didn’t waste any more time analyzing as he bowed his head and kissed her.

The kiss was tender, sweet, and soft. Mavyn had never felt a kiss like that. Usually the men she allowed to kiss her—on the one date she granted to each man who asked—kissed her deeply and insistently as if they could force her to stay with them by going at her with gusto.

Ren didn’t seem to feel any urgency. He took his time, using his lips to express his patience, his desire, and his commitment to her. The kisses grew stronger and more intense and Mavyn gave in to the feelings he stirred in her. In the back of her mind, she knew this night and especially this moment was insane, but as for right now? She couldn’t have stopped this for the Pulitzer Prize.

As the kisses continued, she was transported to a future she’d never glimpsed. A future where Ren’s lips and arms showed her love, allegiance, and joy unimagined. A future where she was safe to let down her guard and trust herself to a man she hadn’t known truly existed.

Ren! her soul seemed to exclaim with joy.

When the kisses ended, she realized time had flown by. It was much later than she’d thought.

Ren stared at her and whispered, “I’ve finally found you.”

Mavyn’s heart threatened to explode. “Were you looking for me?” she asked with only a tiny bit of sass.

He smiled, nodded, and gently trailed his fingers along her cheek. “All my life.”

Mavyn sighed at the beauty of those words. He gave her a meaningful look. And then they were kissing again and nothing else mattered but Ren and his perfect arms and inspiring kisses and sweet words.

When they walked back to their vehicles hand in hand, it was almost one in the morning. Mavyn marveled at the night’s events as Ren opened her car door. “I won’t have leave for another two weeks,” he said. “Will you meet me for dinner a week from Saturday?”

“Name the time and place.”

He grinned and bent low to kiss her one more time. “Why don’t you choose?”

“Scoma’s at seven.” She climbed into her car.

“I’ll be there.” He shut her door and stepped back.

Mavyn lifted a trembling hand before she started her car. As she pulled from the parking lot, he stood there watching her. Was this love? She touched her fingers to her lips in awe, but immediately the doubts started creeping in. Love in a matter of hours? God caring about the details of her life? What on earth had just happened to her? Was Ren a manly angel or the devil trying to trick her into thinking she could find peace and happiness, then gouging her even more deeply?

She drove home and luckily Cora was in bed. She fell onto her own bed and replayed the evening over and over again. Ren was incredible, there was no denying that, but it was preposterous that she felt that strong of a