“We wait,” he said, wanting this to last forever, but knowing that it couldn’t.
He was acutely aware of her presence, the desire that was always simmering within him, threatening to grow to an uncontrollable fire that he wouldn’t be able to contain.
But it wasn’t just the desire. It was emotions that he wanted to suppress, that heneededto suppress – one that had stubbornly taken root within him.
Just when he was about to tell Ada that they could leave — that theyhadto leave — footsteps outside the door grew louder. Jonny’s grip on Ada tightened, fear and anticipation swirling around them.
The footsteps, which could have belonged to anyone, faded, but the feeling remained, and before Jonny knew whatwas happening, he was turning Ada in his arms, brushing his lips against hers.
“Jonny,” she gasped, and he didn’t know if this was being fueled by the danger or the wanting or a plethora of other emotions, but all he knew was that he needed her close and there was nothing within him, no risk or danger or understanding, that could convince him to let her go.
This warehouse, full of weapons and ammunition, felt like a world apart, enclosing them in their own bubble of safety and connection.
His lips moved over hers, exploring, searching, telling her what he couldn’t with his words.
That he wanted her, cared for her, that he didn’t want to be apart from her any longer.
But in the same breath, he didn’t see how they could be together.
At the moment, however, as Jonny lost himself in the warmth of Ada’s embrace, in the fierce need to protect her from not just the danger outside, but from the emotional turmoil of past and present that they both faced, nothing else mattered.
He wanted to take her right here, to lose himself in her body and her touch again, but it wouldn’t be right. Not here, not now. Especially after all he had said to her. It was that thought, combined with the need to do so, that had him pulling away, as they stared at one another, breathless and wide-eyed, the reality of their situation crashing back down on them.
As much as he wanted to deny it, Jonny realized in a surge of clarity that they had forged a bond that couldn’t be ignored, no matter how much it likely should be.
Ada placed a hand on his cheek, her gaze affirming their shared feelings, and in thatmoment, Jonny knew they weren’t just hiding from danger — they were also confronting their pasts and an uncertain future.
“What do we do now?” she asked again, her voice nearly a whisper.
“I don’t know,” he said in an equally soft voice, “but I sure would like to find out.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“You seem distracted,” Lily said as she sat beside Ada while she took a quick break.
Ada was practicing with Emmaline’s women’s football team, Lily watching from the sidelines with her daughter.
Lily had never been particularly interested in playing football, but she had always done whatever she could to support Emmaline in the endeavor.
Ada wasn’tquiteas enthusiastic as Emmaline, but she enjoyed the freedom of playing, of doing as she wished instead of following someone else’s agenda.
“I’m fine,” she said, her eyes on the field.
“Are you really?” Lily asked, her blue eyes all-knowing.
“Very well. I have a few things on my mind.”
“Does this have anything to do with a particular man?”
“Perhaps.”
“One that isn’t David Carter?”
Ada rolled her eyes. “The only thing I am concerned regarding David Carter is how to break my engagement with him.”
“Would you even call it an engagement?” Lily asked, tilting her head.
“No, I do not suppose I would,” Ada said. “But there has been more pressure lately for us to finalize things.”
