chapter 30

Abbie The world crumbles around us, but in his arms, I feel untouchable. His hands, calloused from battles unknown to me, move with a tenderness that belies his warrior facade, tracing circles on the back of my neck. The intensity of his kiss speaks of promises and whispers secrets, sending a shiver down my spine as he gently tugs at my bottom lip, a playful nibble that coaxes laughter from deep within me. Safe, I think, the word resonating through every fiber of my being. It is an inexplicable trust, akin to the bond shared with Azalea, my confidant, my rock. Gannon’s energy is a raging fire, yet around him, I feel nothing but warmth. He pulls away ever so slightly, a smile playing on his lips, eyes reflecting a quiet storm behind the steel-gray irises. As our laughter subsides, he wraps me in a hug, pulling me into the solid comfort of his chest. I breathe him in; the scent is uniquely his—pine mixed with a hint of spice; an essence of strength and security. His arms are a vice aroun