Page 121 of Rescuing You

She should argue, push him away. She was still angry with him.

But he wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head and kissed her, long and lovely and, oh my.

All her anger faded away.

She slid her arms around his neck, lifting to her tiptoes to get closer, wishing there wasn’t so much puffy orange life jacket between them. His wet clothes were cold, but the contrast with the heat inside her only felt good.

He scooped her into his arms, not breaking the kiss.

Nestled against his chest, she felt protected and safe.

He walked so slowly and carefully that she was only vaguely aware they were moving.

And then he pulled his lips away and stared down at her. His face was in shadows, but she felt his look, his smoldering gaze. Or maybe she only assumed what she’d see on his face would reflect what she felt in her heart.

That she never wanted the kiss to stop.

He leaned forward and set her down. In the raft.

Oh.

“You good?” She heard amusement in his tone.

“You tricked me.” The words pitched up when the raft rose and fell.

His chuckle was low as he moved to the back of the raft and pushed. “Hang on.”

All those warm feelings Michael had generated blew away on the wind as she searched for a handhold, then slid her fingers around a rope and gripped, her fingernails digging into her palm.

Jasmine was right behind her, her legs tucked to one side. Leila pulled her own knees up so Michael would have a place to sit.

When he hopped into the raft, it dipped to one side so low she thought she’d be launched out. She couldn’t help the little yelp that escaped.

He sat on the raft in front of her, facing her, facing freedom. “Don’t make me kiss you again.”

She faced the land she was happy to leave behind.

And the man she loved. The man she might very well have to let go.

“If you kiss her every time she is afraid,” Jasmine said from behind her, “we will never leave Turkey.”

They were joking? Now? When they floated only millimeters from death?

But the inflatable craft didn’t capsize or sink, just bobbed on the water.

He started the engine. Its rumble drowned out the sound of waves crashing on rocks.

Jasmine leaned close and spoke into Leila’s ear. “Turn, sister. See where we are going. To Greece now. And then to America. Like we always dreamed.”

They had dreamed it, as little girls, listening to American music and wearing American clothes and sipping American sodas while American soldiers filled their city. Scary with all their guns, but then they’d smile, sometimes wave.

There was kindness there, in those soldiers’ eyes.

And now…now she was with one of those Americans. Maybe not a soldier, but a warrior, a protector.

She didn’t need to fear. Michael would get them to Greece. He would get them to America.

But what would happen then? To herself? To Jasmine?