Page 84 of Rafe’s Future

His heart kicked as he slowly started her way. A soft thud sounded as her duffle bag hit the floor.

Rafe could see the woman’s exhaustion in her eyes despite the space between them. Her clothes were rumpled and dirty, one side of her shirt was torn, and there was a dark bruise forming along her jaw.

To anyone else, she probably looked like hell. To Rafe, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Lena looked back at him, and something inside his chest tightened. She’d promised she would come back to him—and she had.

Neither said a word as she crossed the room toward him. Rafe met her halfway. She melted against him the moment his arms were around her. Her face became buried against his chest as he tightened his gentle hold.

He closed his eyes, letting his cheek come to a rest on the top of her head. She was alive. She was here. For the moment, nothing else mattered.

Lena’s arms wrapped around his waist, and for several long seconds, neither of them moved another inch. They simply held each other, savoring the fact that the danger was over, and they had both made it through. Rafe pressed his lips to the top of her head, letting one of his hands slowly rub her back.

“It’s over,” she whispered.

“I know.”

She lifted her head, and their eyes met again. Rafe brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers lingered there before she leaned into his touch. He brought his mouth to hers as she rose to kiss him.

It wasn’t rushed, nor was it desperate. It was simply the kiss of two people who’d spent the last forty-eight hours wondering if they would ever get another chance to be together. Rafe wrapped one arm around her waist and drew her closer as her hands slid up his chest.

The kiss deepened. The dance their mouths followed was warm and sensual. But beneath it was something far more important. At its core, what Rafe felt was⁠—

Love.

When they finally broke apart, Lena rested her head against his chest again. “I’m in desperate need of a shower,” she murmured.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I noticed.”

She gave him a tired glare. “Are you saying I smell?”

“I’m saying you look like you just fought in a war.”

“Probably because I did.”

“Well, there you have it.”

Lena’s soft laughter stole his heart. He reached down, took her hand, and laced his fingers through hers.

“Come on.” He led her toward the other room.

When they got to the bathroom, Rafe went straight to the shower, turning it on so it was hot but comfortable. As the steam built and billowed, he went back to her. He took his time as he eased her shirt up over her head.

Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. Her eyes followed his every movement as he watched hers. Every time he touched her, he looked for a reaction, making sure nothing he did would cause her pain.

“I’m okay,” Lena whispered, bringing a palm to his cheek. “I promise.”

“I believe you.”

He let the shirt fall to the floor, his gaze taking in the evidence of what Kozlova had done. A cold, familiar anger stirred beneath his ribs as he took in the bruises and scrapes.

The bruises will heal. She’s alive. Keep your focus on that.

He carefully helped her out of the rest of her clothes, honored by her trust. She was showing him so much more than her body. She was giving him her full and total trust.

Not just to watch her six or help catch a killer.

She’s letting down her walls.