Page 81 of Winters Heat

One more step and Cash cleared the shrubbery, holding back a large branch for her. She slipped into the clearing. A huge beam of relief surfaced. This horror story was over, and all she wanted to do was crawl into Colby’s arms to sleep.

Less than a dozen yards away, that stupid shack stood waiting for her return. But this time, she wouldn’t be alone. Amber light shined between the slats and glowed at the front opening. Pure joy energized her faster than a red-eye latte. She’d seriously have to re-evaluate what made her happy when she was back on American soil. Shitty shacks shouldn’t make her so giddy. But a wounded warrior who liked to lounge in her bed… that’d be tops on her list of the super happy. Minus the wounded part.

Angry, male complaints poured out of the shack. She picked up her pace, craning to see the problem.

Colby careened around the doorjamb, arm overhead, middle finger reaching for the moon. He was backlit and illuminated, and he didn’t see her or Cash ahead. He looked colossal. Perfect and heroic. She needed in those arms and couldn’t get to him fast enough.

Behind him, Jared cursed and shouted. “No one else falls for a chick. Ever. Again. No one.”

She slammed into Cash’s backside. He was bent at the waist, laughing. His jungle suit hung off his torso, rifle dangling in one hand. He was always laughing, and she had no time for a roadblock. Mia bounded around him, lunging out of the shadows for Colby.

Torment and relief. His face played a quick variety of emotions that she could name, but she didn’t want to play psychologist. She just wanted him. His arms wrapped tight around her, and his wonderful lips found hers. She wanted everything to be all right and would only believe it when he said the truth.

“Hey there, doll.” His voice cracked.

“Thank God, you’re alive.” She palmed his cheeks. “Don’t ever leave me like that. And don’t get hurt. Ever again.”

First thing on her list. Check. What was number two? She had no idea, ‘cause all she wanted to say waskiss me.

He didn’t say okay, and he wasn’t nodding.

“Did you hear me, Colby? Don’t leave me like that ever again.”

He hooked an arm around her waist, and she went on tiptoes. He swiped a wisp of hair and tucked it behind her ear. The pad of his thumb traced her cheek as he cupped his giant hand around her chin. The world slowed down. A gentle buzz ran through the air. Electrical pulses quaked around them. If it hadn’t been for the blood, the sweat, the violence, and the depravity, this might have been the most romantic moment in her entire existence.

Cash cruised by them. “You’re welcome, buddy. I’ll let you know how you can repay this teeny favor later.”

Colby folded her into him, sighing and breathing against her ear. The sizzle of his breathy clasp shivered down her spine. Thousands of nerve pathways burst to life, crackling to her core. His forehead dipped and met hers, and the touch burned. They breathed in unison. No words. No explanations.

She swayed into him, and he stifled the quietest of groans.

“Oh, I forgot. You’re hurt.” Mia struggled to detach herself, but his grip was firm, unwavering, cementing her against his broad chest. “Let me go, Colby. You shouldn’t do that.”

“Just give me a sec.” A heartbeat later, he ran his hands over her face, down her neck, and settled his grip on her shoulders. “God, you’re beautiful. You deserve so much more than this.”

“Yeah, I deserve a candlelit dinner. Put it on your list of things to do. Come on. Let’s go inside. You need to rest.”

“Just let me feel you for a minute. I need this. To know you’re okay. That you’re safe. You against me, baby. That’s what I need.”

She stopped struggling and all but disappeared into his arms, which were the size of tree trunks, hiding her from the world. She pressed against his pecs, listened to the rhythmic thump of his heart. “I can’t believe you worried about me. You were shot.”

He relaxed around her, caressed her cheeks again, and tilted her gaze to his. His eyes glowed in the night.

“Colby?”

His lips touched hers. Delicate and soft. Not at all how she thought he might kiss her right now. Nothing she’d expect after their awful adventures. He was sweet. Careful. Savoring.

He stopped, but his lips still moved against hers. So quiet the words, she almost missed them. “I’ll never forget.”

Hell, she’d never forget this either, but a sentimental Colby Winters was something altogether new to her. Another facet to the man. Every day, she learned more about him. And, thanks to him, about herself, too.

“Mia—”

“Enough is enough. Get your asses in here,” Jared called from the shack, a short distance away.

Colby smiled, straightened, then winced. She could tell he was in far more pain than he admitted.

“Let’s go. Move your stubborn butt. You need to sleep and eat.” She pulled back and gave him a wink and a smile. “They’ve got bug juice.”

---