AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shit! I can’t stop the boat. If he doesn’t reach me in time, we’ll go right past. He’ll never catch me.
I twisted my body the other way and kicked like the devil was on my feet, trying to slow the speed of the boat. “Hunter! Hurry!”
I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t hear him.
Did I miss him?
Hunter suddenly appeared ahead of the boat. My body melted, and I let the current swing my legs the other way. It took all my effort to just hang on. As Hunter tread water, he raised his arms, ready to catch the boat as we drifted to him. His mouth was open, no doubt catching his breath after that frantic swim.
His eyes met mine. A smile lit up his face, and he shook his head like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Got you!” Hunter's strong arms enveloped me as he clutched the boat over my shoulders. “Well done, Layla. You were amazing.”
His words filled me with so much joy, I thought I would pass out.
“Let's get out of here.” His voice was tense and focused. “Hang on, I’ll climb in first.”
As the boat drifted downstream, Hunter showed incredible strength and agility as he pulled himself up and into the boat in one swift move.
“I’ve got you.” He reached under my arms, and the rough wood scraped against my battered legs as he hauled me into the boat.
I flopped on top of him like a dead fish and as we huddled together in the bottom of the boat our short, ragged gasps became one.
“Are you okay?” Concern laced Hunter’s words as he brushed my wet hair from my eyes.
“Yes.” My voice broke with a sob. “I am now. Thank you.”
“What you did was amazing.” The warmth of his breath whispered across my ear. “You were so brave.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “I was just trying to survive.”
“But you never gave up. Even when those bullets were punching into the boat and water around you. God, I thought I was going to lose you again.” His voice was gruff with emotion as his strong arms enveloped me in a protective embrace.
The chaos around me faded away. It was just me and Hunter, two wounded souls clinging to each other in the midst of a raging river.
I eased back and our eyes locked. My chin dimpled at the love in his eyes.
He scooped my hair around my ear. “Were you hurt?”
I shook my head. “Were you?”
“No. We got lucky.” He cupped my cheek and as I leaned into his warm palm, my heart swelled so much I thought it would burst. I’d crossed a bridge that I hadn’t even been looking for. A bridge toward love. Hunter had always fascinated me, but now he’d entered my heart. I wanted him like I’d never wanted anything in my life.
Unable to hold back, I pressed my lips to his. He returned my kiss, and as we sunk deep into each other, he curled his warm hand around my neck, holding me to him. Our tongues glided together, our breaths mingled, and a sigh tumbled from my lips at how perfect he was.
Hunter separated first. “Layla, believe me, I’d love to kiss you all day, but—”
“Oh right, yes.” It was like a bubble had burst and our deadly situation crashed onto me again. I slid off him onto the rough floor of the boat. “What do we do?”
He sat up, and peering through the scope on his rifle, he studied the old church in the distance. “Son of a bitch. Neville is still alive.”
“I noticed. He’s wounded, though.”
“Good. I hope the fucker bleeds to death.” Hunter shuffled to the back of the boat. “Let’s get us across the other side.”
“I can’t believe Neville would do this. He tried to kill me. Us.” My voice choked with emotion, but I fought it. “Are all those other men . . . are they dead?”
Hunter leaned over the motor. “For fuck’s sake. The motor is riddled with holes.”
