eacon of hope. She kept reading his words over and over, tracing each letter with her

eavy with exhaustion but her heart humming with anticipation. She showered quickly, choosing a soft cream sweater and dar

ssed by in shades of silver and gray. Snow flurries drifted through the air, dancing

ick building. She hesitated at the entrance,

-

s, laughter and music drifted from the classrooms, and the scent of crayons and glu

dark jeans, a navy sweater that hugged his lean frame, black coat draped

said, voice l

e replied, her

ologne- fresh and clean, with a note of cedar. "I wanted you to

-

wallowed by the building's comforting warmth. Children peeked from door

cutting snowflakes from paper. Leo, the little boy

eaping up and flinging his

g Leo's hair. "Leo, I'd like

, smiling. "Hi, Leo. Your

I made it for the party last night. M

ezed. "They ar

o ran back to his friends, he led her to the end of the hall, stop

-

ul collages. A bookshelf lined one wall, filled with art supplies and picture books. In the center of the room

the care in every detail. "Thi

this. My parents tried, but they were always busy, always traveling. When they died...I felt like I lost eve

inging. "You did more than

e programs that keep this going. It's not about

night wasn't just a party. It was a n

her lips, lingering.

losing the distance between them. His hand lifted to brush a strand

feel this," he whisper

r coul

-

iss hungry and searching. She melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck,

forehead against hers. "I don't know what this is

er," she

-

ing stories. Maya watched Ryan laugh with the children, kneel beside them to listen

ng up in a small town in Vermont, losing her father at twelve, and how her mother wor

ed good things," she confessed. "Like I nee

ything," he said fiercely.

ing his hand. "That's the nicest

-

, lazy flakes, blanketing the world in quiet. They strolled along

re a workaholic,"

. "She's n

hy

e bare trees. "Because wor

him to face her. "N

ulnerable. "Everyone

ve been loving t

dark hair. Then he cupped her face, kissed her slowly, te

-

, how he'd gotten the call while sitting alone in his dorm room, how the silence afterward had felt like a punishment

falling, and the city lights blinked to life. He insisted

t," he said quietly,

thudded.

ice rough. "But I don't want to

rt scarred by betrayal. But standing there in the falling snow,

she whi

-

read out in glittering splendor beyond the windows. He helped her out o

w and deep, hands tangling in her hair. She responded with a so

om. The room was spare but elegant, all clean lines and dark wood. He

u want to stop

said, voice tre

ning as he revealed her inch by inch. She tugged at his sweater, desperate to feel his skin. When he pul

her touch, e

gently. "You're beaut

owered her to the bed, bracing

-

sessive and tender, his kisses hot and searching. He whispered her name like a prayer, like a promise. She an

es. He held her close, face buried in her neck,

lights painting patterns across the sheets. She traced c

he murmure

g anywhere,"

-

e storm outside howling against the window

-

arms were heavy around her, his face peaceful in sleep. She watched him for a moment,

room. She stood at the windows, staring out at the cit

ate wounds that ran deep on both sides. But for the first time, sh

orway, hair mussed, eyes sleepy but warm. He crossed

hout you," he murmu

bursting. "Then yo

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