Spark of War Bonus Scene

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Moving In

Alex

Several Months Later

I set down the last box with a grunt, wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand. Moving day had been a brutal affair, a parade of heavy furniture and overstuffed boxes. But as I surveyed the chaos of Emily’s tiny apartment, now littered with the scraps of our combined lives, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

We’d done it. We were officially shacked up. Every corner of this cramped apartment now held a piece of us, tangled in a messy dance of domesticity and love. Not that I had a ton of shit to bring over. Boxes of clothes and shoes, a few boxes stuffed with my coveted kitchen items, and my flat screen. We decided to leave my couch and dining set by the curb, both had seen their last days.

I did refuse to leave behind my king-sized bed, though. Emily’s little full-sized contraption was an insult to beds everywhere. She didn’t protest much, once I laid out the perks.

Morning sex, anytime we wanted for starters.

Without my feet hanging off the mattress. Granted, more my problem than hers, but still.

Plus, we’d been in negotiations about possibly adopting a dog, and there was no way some mutt was taking my spot. I told her we needed enough room for three or it wasn’t happening. Besides, I already knew damn well the beast would wind up snoring between us, so I was planning ahead. Ems was a sucker for puppy dog eyes.

I gulped down some water from the bottle on the end table, grateful I had the foresight to grab a case before we began moving. I was already on my fifth one today.

Emily collapsed onto the couch, a satisfied grin sweeping over her face. “I can’t believe we finally did it,” she said, gesturing to the piles of stuff everywhere.

Chuckling and plopping down beside her, the fluffy cushions sagged under my weight. “I know. To be honest, I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be living with my dream girl Emily Anders,” I teased.

Said girl leaned against me, her head resting on my shoulder, her wavy hair tickling my chin. “Well, get used to it, Sparky. You’re stuck with me now. No take-backs.”

Wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer, I growled, tickling my beard against her cheek. “There are worse fates, I suppose.”

Emily squealed and elbowed me in the ribs, a playful scowl on her face. “Watch it, mister. Keep your beard hairs to yourself and eat those words. Or I’ll make you unpack these boxes all by your lonesome.”

I held up my hands in mock surrender. “Mercy, mercy! I take it back. Living with you is a dream come true, I swear!”

Emily snorted, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Damn right it is.”

The sound of the door opening drew our attention, and Jade sauntered in, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Well, well, well. Look at you two lovebirds, all settled in and domestic-like.”

Emily snickered and gave an eye roll, but there was a fondness in her expression. “Nice to see you too, sis.”

Jade tossed her a key, and Emily caught it with a questioning look. “Umm…what’s this for?”

Her sister grinned, a mysterious look on her face. “It’s my old key. I figured you might want it back for your new roomie,” she added.

I exchanged a glance with Em, but she just shrugged, as baffled as I was.

Jade turned then and pointed a finger at me, her expression mock-serious. “But…you better take care of my little sister, you hear? Or else I’ll have to unleash my musical fury on you.”

A laugh escaped my throat, and I held up my hands in surrender. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of crossing you, Jade. Your ‘musical fury’ is the stuff of legends.”

Jade nodded, satisfied. “Damn right it is. I once made a grown man cry with just my ukulele, you know.”

Sean, who appeared in the doorway behind her, snorted. “That’s because you were beating him over the head with it, Rockstar.”

Jade tossed him an annoyed glare, waving a dismissive hand. “Details, details.”

This time, the looks Emily and I exchanged were ones of shock that soon gave way to ‘I told you so’ and ‘what the hell is happening right now’ brows.

Still, I kept my trap shut.

For now. 

Turning back to Emily, Jade’s expression softened. “Seriously, I’m super happy for you, Em. Truly. You deserve all the love in the world.”

Emily smiled, her eyes shining with emotion as she stood up to give her a hug. “Thanks, sis. That means a lot. But…you know you don’t have to give me back your key. My place is your place too.”

Jade was already shaking her head. “I know, but you guys need your space. I appreciate you always giving me a place to land, but it’s time I get my own shit together.” I gave Sean a speculative look from behind them, but he stared back at me with a bland expression.

Cagey fucker.

The girls broke apart, and Jade headed for the door, pausing with her hand on the knob. “Oh, and don’t worry sis. I’ll be sure to call before I show up from now on. Wouldn’t want to interrupt any sexy times.” She waggled her brows in my direction, and Emily turned a delicious shade of red. 

“Good, because I plan on having lots of sexy times in the place,” I shot back. Sean chuckled as I gave Emily a wolfish grin that turned her face even redder.

“As you should,” Jade asserted, flipping her hair over her shoulder. With a wink and a cackle, she disappeared, Sean inexplicably in tow, leaving Emily and me alone once again.

I flopped my head down on the back of the couch, a rueful smile on my face. “Your sister is something else.”

Emily laughed, sitting again. She tucked her knees up and snuggled closer as I stroked a hand over her knee and down her thigh, relishing the softness of her skin. “I’d say that’s putting it mildly. She means well, though.” She smacked my chest with excitement. “Oooh! Also, called it!” she crowed. “Told you that wouldn’t take long at all. Sean, I mean.”

Snickering, I rolled my eyes. “I think we both agreed that wouldn’t take long, thankyouverymuch.”

Staring down at the key that Emily still gripped in her hand, my heart swelled with emotion. “I can’t believe you chose me,” I whispered, my voice rough. “That you’re willing to put up with all my baggage and bullshit.”

Emily sat up and scooted closer. Taking my face in her hands, her eyes shone with love and understanding as she stared at me with a fierce expression. “I will always choose you, Alex. No matter what.”

She pressed her forehead against mine, our breaths mingling. “No matter how many boxes we have to unpack or how many times Jade threatens you with musical fury.” She sighed, the sound barely audible in the quiet of the room. She threaded her fingers through my hair, stroking her hands along my jaw, keeping our foreheads together. “I know you think you’re damaged goods Sparky,” she whispered. “But to me, you’re perfect. Every scar, every flaw, every piece of you.”

My throat tightened, vision blurring with unshed tears. Jesus, how had I gotten so lucky? What had I done to deserve this incredible woman, who saw past all my defenses and loved me anyway?

I held her tight, as if I could keep her with me forever. “I don’t deserve you,” I murmured, my face buried in her neck.

Emily pulled back, giving me that fierce mama bear look again. “Alex ‘Spartan’ Harris. Yes, you most certainly do. You deserve love and happiness and everything good in this world, just like we all do. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know that.”

I chuckled, the tightness in my chest easing. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I argue?”

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, I think you can handle a lot more than that, Sparky.”

Emily pulled me in for a kiss, her lips warm and lush. I lost myself in the taste of her, in the feel of her body pressed against mine, in the knowledge that this was just the beginning of our life together. Threading my hands through her hair, I deepened the kiss, hunger and need flaring to life and licking through my veins.

Way too soon, we broke apart and I stared at her, drinking in her full lips, her pert nose, her heavy-lidded gaze. I had to marvel a little at the twists and turns that had brought us to this moment.

From that first spark of attraction at Hunter and Callie’s art show so long ago, to the unbreakable bond we had now, it’d been a helluva ride. I wasn’t one to get too sappy, but I was damn proud of how much we’d both grown together…both of us learning how to love and be loved in return.

And as I looked around the apartment, at the scattered evidence of our lives colliding, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Not just in this tiny space, but by Emily’s side, facing whatever challenges came our way.

“So,” I said, my lips curving into a smirk. “What do you say we break this place in properly, Buttercup?”

Emily raised an eyebrow, her grin turning wicked. “Why, Sparky, are you propositioning me?”

I shrugged, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying, we’ve got a lot of surfaces to christen. Wouldn’t want to neglect our duties as new roomies.”

My girl laughed, the sound cascading from her lips, bright and carefree. “I mean, when you put it that way, however can a lady resist?” she drawled, using a fake Southern accent.

I growled playfully, scooping her up into my arms, her delighted squeal filling the air. Tossing her over my shoulder and throwing her down onto the king-sized improvement to her tiny bedroom minutes later, I knew we were just starting our happily ever after.

And damned if I couldn’t wait to fucking live it.

Threats of ukulele beat-downs from her sister and all.