Page 13 of My Savior Valentine

"Reid?" Willow's voice pulls me back. "Thank you. For everything."

I meet her gaze, seeing all the words she wants to say but can’t. "We're going to get you out of here, Willow. I promise."

She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I know." She settles back against the wall of the shelter. "I trust you."

Those three words hit me like a punch to the gut. Trust. It's not something I'm used to, not something I've allowed myself to feel in a long time. I can't let her down.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I know I need to do. "Willow, listen," I start, my voice low and serious. “The radio's not working here. I need to try to find a signal and let the team know where we are."

Her eyes widen, and I see a flash of fear cross her face. "You're leaving?" she asks, and the vulnerability in her voice catches me off guard.

"Just for a little while," I reassure her quickly. "I won't go far, just far enough to try and get a message through."

She nods, but worry etches in her features. "Okay," she says softly, and I'm struck by how small she looks, huddled against the shelter’s wall.

Without thinking, I reach out, taking her hand in mine. Her fingers are cold, and I give them a gentle squeeze. "Hey," I say, ducking my head to meet her gaze. "I'll be back before you know it. You're safe here, I promise."

Willow looks up at me, and I see a flicker of something in her eyes. Gratitude, maybe, or perhaps something more. She squeezes my hand back, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I know," she says. "I just... what if something happens to you?".

I hesitate at the shelter's entrance. I want to tell her that nothing will happen, that I'll be okay. But I can't guarantee it and won't lie to her. The thought of leaving her alone, even briefly,feels like a lead weight in my chest. I glance back at her, and our eyes lock. I see my reluctance mirrored in her gaze.

"Reid..." she starts, her voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful out there."

I nod, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "I will."

But as I turn to leave, I feel her hand on my arm. Her touch is light, but it stops me in my tracks. I look down at her, and suddenly, the air between us feels electric.

Maybe it's the fear, the risk of not returning to the shelter, or the growing attraction that's been simmering beneath the surface since we first met. But as skin touches skin, something shifts.

Willow leans in, her face tilting up towards mine. I feel my breath catch in my throat, my heart hammering against my ribs. Am I really about to make a move on her?

And then, before I can even process what's happening, her lips are on mine.

My body moves on its own. My hand comes up to cup her cheek, my fingers tangling in her hair. The kiss is gentle at first, almost hesitant, but then Willow presses closer, her mouth opening under mine, and suddenly it's anything but.

I feel the desperation in her kiss: the fear, the longing, and the need for connection. And I'm right there with her, pouring everything I can't say into this one moment. Because out here, in the middle of this frozen wilderness, with danger lurking around every corner, this might be all we have.

But as much as I want to lose myself in her, I know I can't—not now, not when her life is on the line. Slowly, reluctantly, I pull back, resting my forehead against hers. "Willow," I breathe, my voice rough with emotion. “I..."

She shakes her head, pressing a finger to my lips. "Don't," she whispers. "Don't say anything. Just... come back to me, okay?"

I nod, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I will," I promise. "I'll always come back to you."

And with that, I force myself to stand, to step away from the warmth and comfort of her presence.

The cold hits me like a physical blow as I exit the shelter, but I welcome it. It clears my head and sharpens my focus. I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I face the vast expanse of white before me. Somewhere out there is a signal, a way to call for help. I won't stop until I find it.

With a final nod of determination, I set off into the snow, the memory of the kiss still burning on my lips.

9

WILLOW

The second Reid leaves, the cold creeps back in, instantly making me shiver. The silence is eerie, broken only by the wind and the odd wolf barking in the distance. My leg throbs, a constant reminder of the shit situation I'm in, but it's the memory of that kiss that consumes my thoughts.

Did that really just happen? I can still feel the ghost of his lips on mine, the scratch of his stubble against my skin. It was brief but intense, charged with an energy I can't quite define. Fear, relief, attraction... or something more?

I let out a wry chuckle, wincing as the movement jostles my leg. Is there a term for falling for your rescuer? It's such a cliché, the damsel in distress swooning over the rugged hero who saved her life. But I can't deny the pull I feel towards Reid, the way my heart races when he's near.

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