Chapter 8
Falcon
Holding Willow in my arms I carry her to where my jacket fell. Arranging it as a sort of blanket I lay her down on the ground. Joining her and pulling her into my arms. Her head on my chest, I let my fingertips trail along her arm.
“I meant it when I said we will do it in a bed. And it will be perfect, I swear.”
She leans up and looks at me. My breath taken away by her beautiful smile.
“This was perfect. You are perfect, Falcon. All my life I’ve known what comes next.
I’ve been on track toward something. And since I came home I have felt lost and …
.dull inside. But with you… I feel this excitement for life. Does that make sense?”
I almost can’t believe how lucky I am. “I feel the same way. I feel like life was dark and now it is bright again.” I feel a bit embarrassed to be so poetic about it. But the smile on Willow’s face makes it all okay.
Pulling her up my body for a kiss. My hands roaming over her body. And then I tell her. “All my life I’ve wished I could start over. And maybe we could start over together. You can teach me how to be good. And I’ll teach you how to be bad.” I say the last bit with a wicked grin.
We stay there together for a long time. Holding each other.
Touching each other. Kissing. Exploring.
But also talking. She tells me about her business degree and how she hated the city.
I open up and tell her about the army. That it was probably what I needed when I was young, but not what I want anymore.
We talk about school and how I like to build things.
And we talk about our future together. And for once I understand why my older brother is so damn happy all the time.
Because he found love. And now I’m going to be the one who is annoyingly happy.
Because I found Willow and the whole world feels like springtime and flowers and fresh mountain air.