9. Blair
CHAPTER 9
Blair
Vance appears, his silhouette strong and commanding against the bright sky. He is standing, his duffel bag over his shoulder, his uniform crisp and sharp. His eyes meet mine, and the world around us fades away. His gaze never wavers from mine, dark eyes intense, so much so, my knees weaken. As he draws closer, there are subtle changes in him. New lines around his eyes, a scar on his chin, but his presence is the same.
“Blair,” he calls out.
“Vance!”
Then he is there, his arms around me, his lips on mine, and everything else ceases to matter. I melt into his embrace, the months of separation falling away like a distant dream.
“God, I've missed you.”
His lips come to mine again and I pour all my longing, all my fears into it. Vance responds with equal fervor, one hand cupping my face while the other presses against the small of my back. I cling to him, my fingers digging into the fabric of his uniform, as if I can somehow merge our bodies into one. The kiss deepens, our tongues tangling in a dance of desperation and desire.
When we finally break apart, I am breathless, my heart hammering. Vance's eyes are dark with need, his hands still gripping my waist, as if he can't bear to let me go.
“I love you,” I breathe out against his lips.
Vance pulls back, his forehead resting against mine. “I love you too. More than you could ever know.”
His calloused finger traces the curve of my jaw. “And I never have to leave you again.”
My heart swells. I place my hand over his. “It’s like that night all over again. Feel how fast my heart is beating?” I take his hand.
“Whoa there,” he chuckles. “Don’t go falling for me all over again.”
“Too late for that, soldier.” My fingers brush against his cheek, tracing the line of his impeccable jaw.
“I dreamed of this. Every night, I imagined coming home to you.”
“And now you’re here.”
This homecoming is just the beginning. The real fight is about to begin, but we will face my family together.
“Let's get out of here.”
I nodded, my mind already racing ahead to the moment when we will finally be alone, when I can show him just how much I have missed him.