Page 17 of Sparks Fly

But Hallie doesn’t stop, kneading greedy fingers into Kaia’s ass cheeks as she continues feasting until the sensitivity becomes too much. Kaia giggles and pants as she crawls forward on weak knees to escape Hallie’s greedy lips.

“You’re going to kill me,” she huffs out, swinging her leg round until she can lie down beside Hallie, folding herself into her equally breathless companion’s awaiting arms.

“Where’s that infamous stamina, Montgomery?” Hallie quips through a wolfish grin. “I’m just getting started.”

9

HALLIE

Hallie wakes to the soft morning light filtering through the tent’s thin fabric. Beside her, Kaia sleeps peacefully, her dark curls splayed above her head, her face serene. For a little while, Hallie simply watches her, drinking in the sight like a parched traveler stumbling upon an oasis. There’s a sense of contentment settling deep in her chest, a warm peace she’s never experienced waking up beside previous girlfriends.

Is that what Kaia is? My girlfriend?

A creeping nervousness pinches at her chest. She has no clue how she would go about asking her. If she even should.

Whatever it is that has blossomed between them is far from what Hallie expected, and she doesn’t know how they could even make it work without risking their positions at the station.

As if she’s sensed Hallie tensing, Kaia stirs, her eyelids blinking slowly as she wakes. Hallie reaches out, gently brushing a stray curl from Kaia’s cheek, marveling at the softness of her lovely glowing brown skin.

“Morning,” she whispers, her voice tender in the quiet of their secluded escape.

Kaia opens her eyes fully, a sleepy smile spreading across her full lips. Without a word, she leans in, capturing Hallie’s mouth in a soft, languid kiss.

“Morning,” she murmurs, her hand coming up to cup Hallie’s cheek. Hallie melts into the touch, into the warmth of Kaia’s body pressed against her own.

They stay like that for a while, trading gentle kisses and caresses, hands drifting across the curves and planes of each other’s bodies. It’s a different kind of passion than the sweaty tangling of the night before, but somehow far more intimate.

Hallie feels like she could stay here forever, wrapped in Kaia’s arms, the rest of the world and its problems left far beyond the arid desert.

But soon enough, the loud rumble of Hallie’s stomach breaks the spell. Kaia throws her head back with a laugh, a bright, joyful sound that makes Hallie’s heart skip a beat.

“How about breakfast?” she suggests, sitting up and stretching her arms above her head. Hallie watches, mesmerized, as the muscles in Kaia’s back flex and ripple beneath her smooth skin.

They settle themselves on the ridge again, nibbling on their scant supply of protein bars and sipping coffee from a thermos. Kaia nudges Hallie’s shoulder playfully.

“You know, I don’t think we spent very much time admiring the stars last night,” she teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

Hallie nearly chokes on her coffee, a warm blush spreading across her cheeks.

“Oh, really?” she sputters. “And whose fault is that?”

Kaia’s grin widens. “Hey now, I didn’t hear you complaining, Lieutenant.”

Hallie huffs a low chuckle, the easy banter flowing between them feeling as natural as breathing. It’s entirely new to her, this effortless connection. She’s spent so long building walls, convincing herself she didn’t need anyone, fueling her soul with pure ambition and independence. But with Kaia, those walls seem to be crumbling at an almost terrifying rate.

Once they’ve packed up the tent and started the hike back down the ridge, Hallie is firmly in her head. The two of them settle into a comfortable silence, and she takes the opportunity to try and sort through the swirling emotions that are starting to feel too big to fit inside her ribcage.

She can’t help but keep stealing glances at Kaia, thinking about how easy it is to be with her, how she seems to understand and accept every part of her, even the parts that have always driven other women away.

Kaia recognizes the intense commitment Hallie has to her career. Hell, Kaia’s own dedication could rival hers.

A creeping heat coils low in Hallie’s stomach when her mind wanders to how Kaia also seems to enjoy her dominant side once they’re naked together, her fiery demeanor banking ever so slightly when Hallie starts calling the shots.

“What are you smirking at?” Kaia’s question snaps Hallie out of her silent musings.

“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just remembering how much you liked taking orders last night.”

Kaia scoffs, though the twitching in her cheeks makes it clear she’s fighting back a smile.

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