Page 96 of Rescuing Mia

The heat simmering between us is undeniable. It’s about connection, about affirming that we’re here, we’re alive, we’re together.

It’s about love, pure and simple.

I pour every ounce of tenderness, every shred of devotion, into my touch and kiss. I want her to feel cherished, adored, and safe in the circle of my arms. I want her to know, without a doubt, that she is my everything.

Heat builds between us again, a slow, simmering warmth that has little to do with the temperature of the water. It’s the heat of connection, affection, and the bone-deep knowledge that this is where we belong.

Together.

Slowly, reverently, I map the contours of her body, committing every dip and curve to memory. She arches into my caress, a soft moan escaping her lips as I bring her to the cusp and beyond once again.

The water cools, but the heat between us only grows. It’s Mia who finally reaches behind me to turn off the spray. Her eyes are dark and heavy-lidded as she looks up at me. Her eyes meet mine with a softness that steals my breath.

Wordlessly, I grab a towel and wrap it around her shoulders, taking a moment to drink her in.

She blushes under my gaze, a rosy hue staining her cheeks, her neck, and the upper swells of her breasts. A surge of tenderness rises within me, along with a fierce protectiveness that lodges in my throat.

I gently towel her dry, my touch reverent and worshipful. She returns the favor, her hands gliding over my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“We should probably get out before we turn into prunes,” she murmurs, a hint of playfulness in her voice despite the emotion thick in the air.

Together, we dry off, stealing soft touches and gentle kisses, a bubble of intimacy in the midst of the chaos.

“Probably,” I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her nose.

There is a new intimacy between us, a sense of being known and being seen, right down to our very souls. It’s a heady feeling I want to bottle up and keep forever.

As we step out of the bathroom, the real world comes rushing back, but things have shifted between us, a bond forged in the crucible of shared adversity, tempered by the heat of our connection.

Skye must have returned while we were in the shower, as we find two piles of clothes stacked neatly on one of the bunks.

We dress quickly, the dry fabric a welcome change from our soaked clothing. Mia looks small and fragile in the borrowed shirt and sweatpants, but there’s a new determination in the set of her shoulders, a glint of steel in her eyes.

“Ready?” I ask softly, reaching out to take her hand.

“Ready.”

Our fingers intertwine, and together, we head toward the galley and toward answers that await us.

Chapter Thirty-Five

RIGEL

As we stepinto the galley, the tight space brims with the energy of Charlie team, mingling with the subtle hum of machinery from beneath the deck. The air is thick with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, which blends seamlessly with the rich, tantalizing scent of garlic and spices simmering on the stove, likely some hearty stew.

My stomach gurgles in response.

The harsh fluorescents bounce off stainless steel appliances, and stark white walls cast everyone in a harsh, unyielding light. It gives the small galley an almost surgical feel, accentuating the serious expressions of the crew gathered within.

The clinking of utensils and the occasional hiss from the stove punctuate the buzz of urgent conversations that fall silent the moment Mia and I enter.

Ethan steps forward, his posture relaxed but his eyes keen. His half-smile teeters between amusement and irritation, perhaps remnants of the day’s stress.

“Everyone, this is Rigel.” He makes a sweeping gesture that feels almost theatrical in the cramped quarters.

He points to a man who stands out not just for his height but forthe air of authority he exudes. “This is Forest Summers, creator of the Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists. He’s very hands-on.”

Forest, his ice-blue eyes piercing under the fluorescent lights, nods once. His gaze sweeps over Mia and me like a sharp breeze, assessing and calculating in the brief moment our eyes meet.

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