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When their lips pulled apart he whispered, “I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“Me too.”
His hands sought hers, but she pulled back slightly and rubbed them together. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to feel the cold from me.”
He took her hands in his and pushed them against his chest. “I’ll warm you.”
She stared into his eyes. The lights from the base illuminated the sky around them, though they remained in the shadows. But she saw the clear hazel color as he stared into her eyes and she wanted to commit it to memory.
He whispered, “Did you have a hard day?”
She swallowed as she thought about it. “Weird, I guess.”
“In what way?” He stared into her eyes and she saw sincerity in them.
But she felt stupid saying anything. “It doesn’t matter.”
His hands framed her face. “It does matter.”
They stared in silence for a few moments. She took a deep breath. “Craig hinted that he wants me to marry and have kids.”
His eyes rounded. “What?”
She felt his fingers shake and he pulled back slightly and took both of her hands in his. She wasn’t sure what to do with his reaction, so she said nothing.
“Please explain this to me, Elena.” His voice was soft, but his expression changed. His brows furrowed and his lips, just moments before were so soft, now drew a hard line across his handsome face.
She swallowed. “He feels it’s important to keep our population thriving. I’m twenty-eight now. I’m fortunate that Everett left me alone to brew elixir and propagate plants. But Craig is a whole different man.”
“Do they...” He heaved out a breath. “Does that happen up there? Forced marriage?”
“I’ve seen it happen.”
He gasped but continued to hold her hands.
“My God, it never occurred to me.”
ChapterNineteen
His head spun around and his vision faded. It never occurred to him that Craig would intend to keep their population thriving and robust. It made sense though. He’d scarcely thought about their population aging out.
“Why is he focusing on you now?”
She shrugged and he saw her lips tremble. “I don’t know. He’s been staring at me a lot and I’m trying not to let my paranoia get the best of me. I don’t think he knows I’ve been coming down here. But I’m not sure. He needs me to finish this brew right now.”
“Do you think after the brew you won’t be safe?”
She sucked her lips into her mouth and looked away. “I don’t know.”
He saw Spencer leave the trailer and begin a patrol. He took her hand in his, “We can go down to the container now, Spencer won’t see us on camera.” He stood but bent over, “Stay low.”
He navigated the tall brush, following the same path he’d brought here and reminded himself to use a different path tomorrow.
At the bottom of the hill and near the site, he stopped and looked around. Seeing no movement, he pulled Elena to the container and eased them inside.
Once inside, he pulled her to his body and held her close. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and he closed his eyes. Her breathing slowed and he knew they didn’t have long.
“I brought you these.” He pulled the gloves from his back pocket and held them out to her.
