A Flame Divine ♕

XIV. A T O N E

e v e r l y

Stellan led them out to the car. When she slid into the passenger seat, the familiarity of it wrapped around her like a security blanket, and she immediately felt more level-headed than she had all night. It was grounding.

Everly took a deep breath and rested her head against the headrest, and when Stellan got out onto the road, she looked over at him. "What's her story, Stell? What happened to her?"

Stellan glanced at her and shook his head. "She was in a horrible situation, Ev. The guy I sold the guns to tonight, Frank, he is–or was–her boyfriend." He scoffed. "He was awful to her... treated her like a dog... actually, worse than a dog. It made me sick, and I just couldn't leave her. It would make me feel like I was a part of it, ya know? Like, I knew about it and didn't stop it. So I asked her if she wanted me to get her out of there, and at first, she said no... but then..." He swallowed. "She agreed."

Everly shook her head. "Holy shit... that's terrible." She looked over at him and squeezed his knee. "I'm so glad I have you in my life, Stellan. You're one of the kindest people I've ever known."

Stellan placed his warm hand on top of hers, and it brought a small smile to her face.

They pulled up to their hotel and used the side entrance. Everly didn't want to walk into such an upscale place looking haggard like she did. She couldn't wait to wash off the night's events.

Once in the privacy of their room, Everly turned to Stellan. "Could you ever forgive me, Stellan?"

Stellan put his hand on her cheek. "I've already forgiven you, Angel. I understand completely... It was all just a perfect storm of misunderstanding and hurt feelings," he said, stroking her cheekbone with the pad of his thumb.

Everly felt her heart begin to stitch back together as she breathed a sigh of relief. "You're amazing," she breathed, stepping one step closer to him, closing the little bit of distance that remained.

Stellan took her hands in his and walked them backward into the bathroom. Closing the door behind them, he turned and started the shower. Everly's heart felt like it would take off without her it at the rate it was beating. She felt hot all over. After everything tonight, her intoxication had worn off, so it couldn't be the alcohol that made her cheeks pink.

No, it was the man in front of her. He took her face in his hands and leaned toward her. "I want to make this right," he whispered, sliding his hands down her shoulders.

Everly let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Me too," she breathed, looking up at him, their faces so close that she couldn't focus on more than one feature at a time. Her eyes darted from his eyes to his jaw and then lingered on his lips. "You do want me, don't you," she murmured; it was more a statement than a question.

Stellan licked his lips, and her eyes followed the movement. "I want you so much it scares me," he replied.

Everly's eyelids fluttered. As steam filled up the room, all she could focus on was his mouth inches away from hers. She wanted him to erase the last few hours and just make her feel like before, on the balcony, before he pulled away.

She swallowed, pushing her hair behind her ears. "Then take me, Stellan. I'm yours. I'm right here... and I'm not going anywhere," she breathed, her eyes trained on his lips. "Make me forget this entire night ever happened... take me back to the balcony, when we talked about flying away... take me back to that moment," she whispered, her voice raspy.

Everly heard Stellan's sharp intake of breath before he slid his hands further down to grasp her waist and pull her against him. "I thought you'd never ask," was all he said before his lips descended upon hers.