Pulling me to my feet, we walked silently deeper into the cave until we reached a small body of water with steam rising from it.
I couldn’t hold back my squeal of excitement, but Jet quickly covered my mouth with his large hand, almost concealing my entire face. “Shhh, angel, I don’t want the others to come looking for us.”
I nodded, and he removed his hand, “Sorry, I haven’t had a bath in days, and that water looks wonderful.”
“It’s safe. I checked it over before I woke you.” The big man suddenly looked bashful. “Do you want to take a dip with me?”
“Hell, yes, I do.” I started stripping off my torn, bloody clothes. When I saw he was just standing there, I looked at him, questioning. “Aren’t you coming in?”
He nodded, then said with reverence, “I’ve just never seen anything as beautiful as you.”
I blushed. I hadn’t thought about this being the first time for him to see me fully nude. I’d been too excited about the bath. “I wish you could’ve seen me before I had all of these scars.”
He walked over and pulled me into his arms. “Those scars tell a story of your bravery and strength. Before you were a stunning girl, now you’re an amazing woman, and I couldn’t be prouder that you chose me to stand by your side.”
I didn’t plan to kiss him.
But when his mouth brushed mine—just barely—something inside me unraveled.
The first touch was soft. Warm. Cautious. Like we were learning what the other liked. His lips moved against mine slowly, gently, tasting the moment. His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my dark hair, and heat bloomed through me in a slow, sweet wave.
I kissed him back.
Tentative at first.
Then deeper.
His breath hitched, and something in him snapped loose. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. The kiss grew hotter, hungrier. The kind of kiss that stole thought and breath and everything else. Steam curled around us, and the spring hissed softly.
Jet pressed me lightly against the warm stone, not trapping me, just holding me with an unfathomable need. His lips parted mine, tongues brushing in a slow, devastating slide that made my knees weak. His hand cupped my jaw, tilting my head up to deepen the kiss, and I tasted every ounce of restraint he was trying—and failing—to keep.
He kissed like he wanted to memorize me.
Like he’d feared losing me.
Like he’d never be parted from me again.
When we finally pulled apart, foreheads still touching, breath mingling in the warm air, his voice was rough. “It’s my fault you’re here.”
My hand found his chest, feeling the wild beat beneath my palm. “That’s not true. It’stheirfault, never yours.”
He leaned in again—just a whisper of a kiss, softer, almost reverent. “They’re going to die for that.”
“Yes, my love, they are.”
Jet’s thumb brushed my bottom lip once more, like he wasn’t done tasting me—or deciding if he wanted to take this further.
He must have reached a decision, because he quickly stripped off his clothes and then offered me his hand.
I took it while trying to pick my jaw up from the ground at the sight of his ripped body. Damn, this man wasfine—muscles upon muscles and a face that would make angels weep.
Hisangeljust might if he didn’t touch me soon.
The water was scorching, almost too hot, enveloping my skin as I dropped into the spring beside him. The heat sank into my bones, easing the pain in my muscles and the tremor in my hands. Jet stepped in front of me, his body just close enough that every tiny movement caused the water to swirl between us.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
He was watching me. Carefully. Hungrily. Like every breath I took might pull him apart.
