Page 119 of Waves of Fury

“Priorities,” I say with a smirk. “The people of Goodland do not disappoint. Their access to useful supplies is admirable.”

A dark look flickers over his features. “Where are the others? Your brothers?”

“Shh,” I murmur. “I don’t want to talk about them right now.”

Our mouths meet again.

Everything around me disappears until it’s just me and him.

Making love.

Uniting in the most intimate of ways.

We both murmur professions of love and promises of a future together. It’s everything I’ve ached for and more.

I love this man and he loves me too.

I feel it in my soul that what he’s saying is true. He’s not going to ever leave me again.

After we finally peak together and are drained of all energy, we lie quietly together, hearts beating in tandem.

I stroke my fingers through his wet hair, relaxed and happy here with him. He presses adoring kisses on my chest, collarbone, and neck.

“Thank you for coming for me,” he whispers against my flesh. “I’m sorry you had to, but I’m grateful you did. You’re right. I do need you.” He sucks in a deep breath and then sighs.

“But?”

“But I still need to find my brother. Will you come with me?”

I relax at his question. “You don’t have to ask. I’m with you until the end.”

“What about your brothers?” he asks, voice nearly a whisper.

“We’ll see them again. Once we get to Ransom and deem it safe, we can have them join us.”

“And if it’s not safe?”

“Then we go back,” I tell him firmly. “Like you said in your letter, Goodland is a hospitable, safe place. It has a future.”

“Did you steal the car?”

I snort out a laugh. “Nah. Didn’t have to. Mary lent me hers.”

“Lent?”

“In a week, Aaron and the rest of our group will be riding out with a couple of Goodland people. If it’s safe and welcoming, they’ll stay with us, and the Goodland people will drive both cars back.”

Kellen sits up and finds some fast-food napkins stuffed in the side door pocket. He uses them to clean us both up. Then he makes sure I drink some water before tucking us both into bed. I curl around him, inhaling his unique scent. The deodorant he wore has faded and I’m awarded the faint smell of his musk that I secretly love.

“Get some rest,” Kellen murmurs. “We’ll pull this Band-Aid off first thing in the morning. If he’s not there, we’ll be back to the others by dinner tomorrow night. Either way, tomorrow we’ll know where our destiny leads us next.”

“As long as it’s with you, I don’t care where we go.”

Kellen takes my hand, threading his fingers with mine. “I love you, Tyler.”

My heart trembles with happiness at hearing his words.

“I love you too.”

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