Page 70 of Nicole's Shelter

“You didn’t. Truth is, it doesn’t hurt so much anymore.”

The intensity in his eyes stole her breath. The message was up for interpretation, but she got the impression he meant his feelings were different because of her. Maybe that’s just what she wanted to believe. Unsure what to say, uncertain she could form a reply, she waited for him to elaborate.

“Don’t get me wrong. I loved her with everything I had. Still love what we had when we had it. But my job kept us apart more than any newlyweds should be.”

Her heart ached for him.

He turned to the horizon and raised a finger toward the bright point of a star. “Will you make a wish?”

Only for him. “Maybe.”

“I dare you.” There was a spark in his gaze and his eyes crinkled at the corners when he grinned.

“How will you know? I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”

“That’s only for birthday candle wishes.”

“It’s for all wishes,” she said.

“Is not.”

“Is so.” She’d never had such a silly debate in her life. At least not since before WITSEC. It was gloriously normal. Immediately, she gazed up at the star and wished for a lifetime of nights like this one. “Did you make a wish?”

His eyes locked with hers, then drifted down to her lips. “I did.”

She shivered and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, turning back toward the campground.

“Thank you. This was a good idea.”

“I have them occasionally.”

“Hmm. That sounds like a clear invitation to ask about your ideas for trapping Clifton.”

“We don’t have to get into it right now,” he said as they crossed the sand dunes again. “I don’t imagine he’ll find us before tomorrow.”

“I haven’t told anyone where we are, or where we were headed. Have you?”

“Of course not. I actually told Eva I was taking you back to the marshals.”

“Wow.”

“Still, the license plate on the truck is registered to Bart and Clifton knows about Bart. And my phone’s in pieces, just in case someone circumnavigated Eva’s firewalls at the office.”

She had no idea what to say to that revelation. It was a smart move considering Clifton had proven terrifyingly resourceful in the past.

“So… we’re alone?” Nerves and doubts reared up. Rick had training and skills. She had an eye for composition and couldn’t see how she’d be much help to him.

He stopped her in a puddle of shadows between streetlights that glowed periodically along the path. “No. We’re together.”

Her doubts faded under his conviction and her body came to life as he embraced her. Pulse jumping, she tipped up her face for his kiss.

* * *

Rick gazed down at her full lips and took his time meeting them. She embodied his every temptation, but he wanted more than the flash and heat this time. He wanted her to feel what he felt, to treasure their connection like he did.

Her lips parted and his tongue swept over hers and tenderness gave way to need. Hours might have passed, he was so lost in her, heedless of time and place, and he wanted to string this out indefinitely.

Taking the kiss deeper, he drew her closer, molding her body to his, and letting her feel his intense reaction. Her soft moan nearly undid him.

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