I stopped him.
“Ozi, I don’t need anything fancy. Let me cook something for us.” As much as I loved the way he pampered me, I wanted to pamper him for once.
He slid his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. “Darling, you’re going to have to get used to people waiting on you for a change. I want you to have everything you desire.” He nibbled on my earlobe.
My stomach did a little somersault. I gazed up into his eyes. “You are all I desire. Cooking is a big part of who I am. I want to share that with you.”
He nodded, conceding. “I can’t wait to taste every part of you.”
Two hours later, we sat across from each other on the terrace under the moonlight. With just a few candles and twinkle lights, the glow illuminated the space between us like something out of a fairytale. I had prepared filet mignon in a red wine reduction, fingerling potatoes, and mixed veggies sautéed in truffle oil. I took the bottle of Bordeaux out of the server’s hand and sent him away.
“See, isn’t this more intimate? Just me and you,” I cooed.
I watched his face light up as he chewed on the tender steak. “Oh, Raven. You have a gift. This is delicious.”
My heart filled hearing those words, especially from him. “Thank you,” I murmured.
Everything was new and scary and exciting. We both opened our mouths to speak at the same time and then stopped, laughing.
“You first,” Ozi quipped.
I fiddled with the napkin on my lap. “I’m not ready yet to be…like you. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be. I need more time to decide. Is that all right? I want to be with you for as long as you’ll let me.”
Ozi smiled and leaned forward, scooping up my hands in his. “Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. You can be human for as long as you like. I will never take that choice away from you. And you never have to fear me. Ever. I will always protect you, Raven.”
“What happens now? Do you want me to live here with you? Do I quit my job?” I was unsure as to what this new life would entail.
“You don’t need to work as a server anymore. Everything you could ever want or need I will give you. I was thinking, however, that we could travel a bit. You should be a chef, Raven. And Europe has some of the best culinary schools and mentors. I could make a few phone calls and have you set up in days to start training… We could also try to find your birth parents. If you want to, of course.”
My heart felt like it would burst. “I would like that very much. You would do that for me?”
“Raven, honey, I would do anything for you. I told you when we first met that I would break you…but it is you who has broken me. In a way that I needed to be broken so I could be put back together. Only you could do that. For that, you have my heart in your hands for eternity.”
He was right. I thought I was the broken one. The one who was weak and frightened. But it was my strength that held us together. I was lost and searching for him my whole life. I just didn’t know it until now.
I was still scared. I had conditioned myself to hold back. I was so accustomed to keeping my guard up. But I was finally ready to let it all go. “What happens after I fall?” I asked. I already knew the answer but I wanted to hear him say it out loud.
Ozi pulled me into his lap and hugged me tight. “I’ll catch you.”
The End
This book has a special place in my heart. I wrote it during difficult times and it was a big part of what got me through. But it would not have been possible without the following people.
Thank you to my amazing editor and friend, Katie Golding. I started my journey with you back in 2017 when I was looking for a home for Blood and Magic. It was with your help that I was able to get that book noticed and it truly has come full circle with you editing After I Fall. I’m so happy you fell in love with Ozi and Raven as much as I have.
Thank you Sarah Paige at Opium House Creatives for creating the most beautiful cover I could ever dream of! You captured Ozi and Raven better than what was even in my mind.
Thank you Stacey Blake at Champagne Book Design for formatting my book with such skill and creativity. I am truly grateful I was able to work with you!
I have to thank Tina and Yelena of City Owl Press. You took a chance on me and have been so supportive of my career. No matter where my journey takes me, COP will always be my family and I look forward to releasing more titles with you in the years to come. Thank you to all my City Owl Press owls for your continued support and friendship.
To Negeen and Candace, We are such a fierce trio and I cherish our friendship so much. I love that we are always there for each other with writing and life stuff. I love our daily chats and I would not be able to get through this crazy thing called publishing without you. Love you both so much and can’t wait till we can share a few bottles of wine together in person.
Thank you to my amazingly talented website designer, Cassandra Penticoff, for everything you do. You have helped me showcase my books and my ideas and I will forever be grateful. No matter what, you always get my vision and deliver it just as I’ve imagined.
To my mom, thank you for always supporting me, loving me, and being there through everything. I strive to make you proud every day. I love you so much and can’t wait till we can take that trip to England together.
Thanks to my dad for everything. We have been in this pandemic together and I appreciate all you do to keep us safe, sheltered, and still laughing. It’s been a crazy year but we are getting through it together.
To my sister Jen, I love you sis! Thank you for being my number one fan and for always encouraging me to keep going. I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait to see what you create in the future. The Sercia sisters are doing great things.
Thank you to all of my family, Aunt Charlene, Uncle John, Kathleen, Marji, all the Sercias, Maioranas, LeFevres, Lyons, Driels, and Campbells. I love all of you and can’t wait to see each and every one of you again.
To my BFF, Renee Infelise, thank you for friendship, love, and support over these past 15 years. Your words and encouragement get me through so much. Thank you to your lovely soon to be wifey Rachel for taking care of my bestie! I miss you both so much and I can’t wait to visit you. I love you and am blessed to call you my best friend. Looking forward to more ComicCons, late night conversations, wine tastings, and silly shenanigans when the world gets back to normal.
Thank you to all of my amazing friends who continue to inspire me and bring a smile to my face every day: Brennan Kennedy, Joe Manuguerra, Julie Brooks, Katie Fisher, Serena MacLean, Ben Lawley, Art Lomboy, David Protelsch, Tatjana Papic, and Tiffany and Randy Werner.
Thank you to my new family at Spoiler Country Podcast! Your support is amazing and I’m so happy you’ve welcomed me in with open arms. Kenric, John, Jeff, and Casey: I’m learning so much from all of you. Great things are happening and they are only going to get more awesome!
Thank you to my reader community for joining me on this journey. I hope my books can bring you joy in times of uncertainty. To all the bloggers, I see you, I thank you, and I’m so appreciative of all that you do.
Last but not least, to my love, Christopher, thank you for always believing in me and supporting all that I strive for. This year has been insane and tough but I’m happy I can share it with you. All my love.
MELISSA SERCIA is an award winning Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance author with a passion for philosophy, mythology, and all things supernatural. She is the author of the Blood and Darkness series, Beautiful Dark Beasts series, and Immortal Billionaires series. Melissa lives in California with her man and her cat. When she’s not building dark fantasy worlds and slaying demons, you can find her in the kitchen cooking with a glass of wine in her hand.
www.facebook.com/melissasercia11