“Hmm. Sounds a bit fantastic.”
She raised her head to look at him, but he couldn’t see her eyes. “Don’t you see? God is always more powerful than Satan. God is the Creator. Satan is a created being. Oh, sorry, guess that’s your god.”
“No. Not sure about that.”
“Really?”
Thomas reached up, seeking her face, and upon finding her cheek, he brushed his hands over it. “I’ve seen too much to deny that your God is not only powerful but good.”
“There’s hope for you yet, Thomas Benton.”
He sensed her smiling
“You’re one special lady, Tori. How did I ever let you go all those years ago?”
She huffed. “I’ve been wondering that myself, but—”
Thomas couldn’t stand it another minute. Reaching around her head, he pulled her lips to his.
Ah, sweet nectar! He thought she’d jerk away or slap him, but instead, she sank into the kiss, deepening it, caressing, loving. Her taste—that sweet yet spicy taste of her. Oh, how he’d missed it. His passion grew. He could tell hers did too. It was like the fifteen years between them instantly vanished.
Until she withdrew and sat up, breath coming hard.
“You okay?” he asked.
“No,” she responded in a playful tone. “Don’t do that again.”
“Seemed like you enjoyed it.”
“Well, of course I did. I’m not dead.” She moved away. “I should go sleep somewhere else.”
“No don’t.” He reached for her. “I promise to be good. Just lie here with me, okay?”
She huffed out a sigh, but finally, she laid her head back on his shoulder and snuggled beside him.
Thomas caressed her forehead ever so slightly, and within minutes her body relaxed, and he knew she’d fallen asleep.
“I love you,” he whispered.
The only response he got was her gentle snores.
???
Crouching behind a patch of burnt shrubbery, Kyle clicked on his tablet and brought into focus a map of the old Chattahoochee National Forest. One of his men had just given him the coordinates where he’d last seen Thomas and Tori. There. He pointed to the exact spot on the map. Just two miles to the northwest. They were close. So close.
After speaking with Jura, Kyle had gained an audience with Regent Landry, explained the situation, and got permission to conduct his own search for the Deviants. Landry still held hope that Thomas was working undercover to expose the location of the infamous hideout. Kyle wasn’t sure. But he’d soon know the truth.
He’d put boots on the ground, men skilled in tracking, at the very spot where the fire had broken out in the field, and they’d been following the Deviants ever since, making sure to keep far enough away so as not to be discovered.
“Sergeant Cruz.” A voice came over his comms.
Kyle pressed the object in his ear. “Yes.”
“I believe the girl just made contact with the other Deviants. They’ve altered course and are heading northwest.”
“Good work. Keep following,” Kyle commanded, then turned to Branson, who stood beside him. “Take five men and flank them on the right.”
“Yes, sir.” The man headed out as Kyle ordered Lampin to do the same on the left.
