Page 78 of A Rebel's Shot

She crashed her lips to his, her soul free-falling as he whispered her name like he was awestruck. His hand not tangled in her shirt speared into her hair, gripping as if to hold her there.

Not that she planned on leaving this spot… ever.

She wrapped her hand around his side, and he flinched away.

“Sorry.” She moved her hand to his waist, wanting more than anything to continue kissing the man who owned her heart.

Yet his pain was a harsh reminder of their situation.

“We need to keep moving,” he said against her lips, as if he’d read her mind. “We’re not out of the woods yet, literally or figuratively.”

He trailed kisses from her lips along herjaw, then down her neck until he buried his face into the crook of her neck. The trail he followed tingled and sparked through her veins like she’d been shocked back to life with his touch while his words tightened across her chest, making it hard to breathe.

He inhaled slow and long, like he wanted to savor the moment. She closed her eyes, wishing they could. His exhale was so full of regret that she had to blink away tears.

He pushed off her to his knees. When he cupped her cheek and ran his thumb along her bottom lip, she tilted her head to press a kiss into his palm. He jerked away, standing quickly as his hand opened and closed at his side.

Probably smart to put some distance between them. She sat up, her gaze meeting his.

“Okay.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. “Where to now, boss?”

Tiikâan pointed farther along the ridgeline before grabbing the rope and winding it into a loose loop. “That way. We need to find a place to shelter for the night. Somewhere safe.”

She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the fear that gnawed at the edges of her composure.

Safe?

Was there anywhere truly safe in this wilderness?

Standing, legs wobbly beneath her, she grabbed her pack and followed Tiikâan as he led them farther along the ridgeline. The wind was biting cold now, the midnight sun offering little warmth as it circled the horizon.

Shadows stretched long and thin as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting an eerie glow across the alpine tundra. The wind, a constant presence since their near-death experience, whipped at their clothes, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth.

Merritt’s legs ached, her muscles screaming in protest with every step. Her shoulder, where the rope had dug in, throbbed with a dull, persistent pain. The adrenaline that had fueled her earlier had long since faded, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion.

“We need to stop,” Tiikâan said, his voice barely audible above the wind.

He’d been quiet for the last hour, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The worry lines etched on his usually carefree face mirrored her own growing unease. They had been walking for what felt like an eternity, searching for something, anything, that might offer shelter in this difficult landscape.

Merritt nodded, grateful for the respite. Her legs trembled as she lowered herself onto a moss-covered boulder. She watched as Tiikâan scanned their surroundings, his movements fluid and alert despite his obvious exhaustion.

“There.” He pointed to a rocky outcrop a short distance away, nestled against the base of the ridge. “It’s not much, but it’ll offer some protection from the wind.”

He moved to her side, his hand reaching out to help her to her feet.

“Thanks,” she murmured, leaning into his touch, allowing herself a moment of vulnerability.

Together, they made their way toward the shelter. As they drew closer, a glint of metal caught Merritt’s eye.

“Tiikâan…” She pointed toward the outcrop, her voice hushed with hope.

He followed her gaze, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before them. Wedged amongst the rocks, its fuselage crumpled and twisted, lay the mangled back end of an old bush plane.

“Great catch.” Tiikâan’s tone was grim, but his eyes glittered.

He led the way, carefully navigating the uneven terrain. Merritt followed close behind, her heart pounding. The plane was bigger than Tiikâan’s and looked like it had been there for years, its once vibrant paint job now faded and peeling.

She couldn’t help but wonder about the story behind its demise. How long ago had it crashed?

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