Page 15 of My Savior Valentine

"Affirmative. I'll use emergency flares to signal our location."

"Perfect. Hang tight and keep her stable. We're coming." Viggo's final words are a promise, a lifeline in this frozen wilderness.

As the radio falls silent, I'm awash with emotions. Relief at the imminent rescue, anxiety about Willow's condition, and atwinge of regret that our time alone is coming to an end. It's a confusing mix, one I don't have time to untangle now.

I start my descent back to Willow, moving as quickly as the dangerous terrain allows. Every step is urgent, driven by a professional need to ensure her safety and a personal desire to be near her again.

As I near the shelter, my heart races with anticipation and adrenaline. I'm eager to see Willow again, but I'm also acutely aware of the impending rescue operation. Every minute counts now.

I pause for a moment, catching my breath in the icy air. The decision I've been grappling with crystallizes in my mind. Once we're safe and this crisis is over, I want to explore these feelings with Willow. I'm tired of letting my past dictate my future, of keeping everyone at arm's length. She's awakened something in me, a desire for connection I thought I'd long buried.

I know it won't be easy. We're both carrying baggage, both scarred by our pasts. But I'm willing to try, to take a chance on something real. Life's too short to let opportunities pass by, to let fear rule your choices. I learned that the hard way in the military.

With renewed determination, I cover the last stretch to the shelter. I can see it now, a small mound of snow against the vast white expanse. My pulse quickens at the thought of Willow inside, waiting for me.

As I approach, I call out to her, my voice muffled by the wind. "Willow? It's Reid. I'm coming in."

I hear a faint reply, and then I'm ducking into the shelter, the sudden absence of wind a shock to my system. And there she is, huddled in the corner, her face pale but her eyes bright with relief.

For a moment, we simply stare at each other, the memory of our kiss hanging in the air between us. Then I'm moving towardsher, my hands reaching out to check her splint and feel the warmth of her skin.

I’ve never wanted to be with anyone more.

11

WILLOW

The crunch of snow outside the shelter jolts me from my thoughts. My heart leaps as I recognize Reid's heavy footsteps approaching. A wave of relief washes over me, followed by a surprising flutter in my stomach. I try to sit up straighter, suddenly very aware of my disheveled appearance.

Reid ducks into the shelter, his broad shoulders brushing against the icy walls. We stare at each other, and I have so much I want to say, but my tongue feels like it's swelled to five times its size, and it's all I can do not to asphyxiate in his presence.

"Good news," he says, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "I got through to HQ. There's a helicopter on its way to extract us."

"Thank God," I breathe, my eyes drinking in the sight of him. Despite the exhaustion etched on his face, he looks every inch the hero - strong, capable, and devastatingly handsome. "How long until they arrive?"

"A few hours, if the weather holds." Reid settles next to me, his body heat immediately warming the small space. "How's the leg?"

I grimace. "Painful. But I'll manage."

As Reid begins to check my splint, I find myself distracted by his nearness. I can't help but appreciate the way his thick jacket stretches across his muscular chest or how his jaw clenches as he concentrates. Though chilled from the cold, his hands are surprisingly gentle as they examine my injury.

"Looks like the splint held up well," he remarks, his voice a soothing rumble.

Reid's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world falls away. In their depths, I see a reflection of my own longing, my own desperate desire for connection. I wonder if he also feels this pull between us, this inexplicable sense that our paths were meant to cross.

Reid settles beside me, his proximity both comforting and electrifying. I can't help but think back to our kiss, the way his lips felt against mine, the spark that ignited between us. I glance at him, my heart racing as I gather my courage.

"About earlier..." I begin, my voice trembling slightly. "The kiss..."

Reid's gaze locks with mine, intense and unwavering. "I know," he says softly. "I felt it, too."

A wave of relief washes over me, followed by a surge of longing. I want nothing more than to close the distance between us, to feel his strong arms around me, to lose myself in his embrace.

"I wish things were different," I confess, frustration coloring my tone. "If I wasn't injured, if we weren't stuck here..."

Reid's hand finds mine, his calloused fingers intertwining with my own. The simple gesture sends shivers down my spine. "I know," he murmurs, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin. "But we'll have our chance. When you're healed, when we're back in town..."

His words hang in the air, a promise of what could be. I lean into him, savoring the warmth of his body, the solid strengthof his presence. We talk in hushed tones, sharing our fears and hopes, our dreams for the future. With each passing moment, I feel myself falling deeper, drawn to the man beneath the gruff exterior.

---