47
“It’s not too much. I’m all in, for as long as it takes.”-- Decoded message from ILF undercover operative Nightingale to ILF handler Hiro Tanaka
Briar
The jungle’s restless energy has started to settle for the day, the sun beginning its dramatic descent. Vibrant gold, pink and violet shades paint the sky over the sparkling ocean, more magnificent than any watercolor.
When Marcus and I emerge from the narrow path that cuts through the jungle and opens onto a secluded, sandy section of beach, a canvas tent awaits. A campfire crackles nearby, and there’s a low table set with platters of food.
I want to admonish him about taking it slow, but I stop myself. Today was his first full day off bed rest and he worked on bridge construction all day. He sweated and hammered alongside the rest of the crew, and he feels better than ever.
He looks better than ever, too. I took several long, lingering looks at his bronzed, sweat-slicked body while he worked. I did laundry for half the day, and I was so distracted that I’m lucky I didn’t wreck the laundry bike.
“Did you do this?” I ask him.
He drops his brows and scoffs. “Of course I did. While you were showering. I’d never ask someone else to do this for me.”
“Thank you. It’s perfect.”
He knew not to cut flowers and scatter their petals on the ground. Nothing could compare to the artwork in the sky, anyway.
Waves lap at the sand as we walk over to the fire, a blanket spread out on the sand for us to sit on.
“We met on a beach, remember?” Marcus says lightly.
I pinch my brows together, pretending to think about it. “I think so. Weren’t you the tall guy who was dragging screaming people away?”
“That was me, yeah. And you were the unarmed mercenary who almost fought your way into the jungle.”
“Look how far we’ve come.”
He pulls me close. “I’m glad I didn’t leave you to die in the jungle after you fought Virginia.”
I hum softly. “You wanted to, though. The others just wouldn’t let you.”
“You didn’t like me at first, either.”
“No, not even a little bit.”
He kisses me gently. “I’ve grown on you, though, right?”
“You have. But I’ve got to say I’m not so enthused about outdoor ... affection now that I know we’re being watched.”
He grins. “We’ve never done anything out in the open. We were behind the waterfall. And that’s what the tent’s for.”
“Still. They’ll all know what we’re doing in there.”
“Wait a second. I was planning a night of deep conversation. What were you thinking?”
I back away, giving him a playful look. “I was also thinking of something deep, but maybe we should just go back to camp.”
“Oh, you think so?” He lunges forward, lifting me into his arms.
A squeal slips out of me, my feet leaving the ground. I wrap my legs around his waist, soaking in this rare moment when everything is good and warm and happy.
His expression has turned serious. I graze my fingers over his scalp, my eyes fixed on his.
“I don’t want us to be apart again,” he says.
