The hardened soldier softened under her touch. Walker nodded, his hand coming up to capture hers against his cheek. "Okay. A few hours."
Sabrina smiled, feeling something shift between them—a bridge spanning fourteen years of separation. "Goodnight, Walker," she said softly, withdrawing her hand and moving past him toward the hallway.
She'd only taken two steps when his hand caught her arm gently, turning her back to face him. For a heartbeat, they stoodsuspended in the quiet kitchen, eyes locked, bodies just inches apart.
"Sabrina," he began, his voice uncertain.
She waited, her heart pounding, hoping he would say or do what she'd been thinking about since seeing him again in her home.
Words seemed to fail him. Instead, Walker leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was gentle at first—tentative, questioning—but Sabrina responded immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Walker pulled her closer, one hand at the small of her back, the other tangling in her hair as the kiss deepened.
When they finally broke apart, Walker rested his forehead against hers. "I've wanted to do that since I saw you standing in your office."
A smile formed on her lips. "What took you so long?"
"I was trying to be professional."
She laughed softly. "And now?"
"Now I don't care," he admitted, capturing her mouth again in a kiss that left no doubt about his feelings.
Sabrina lost herself in the moment, in his embrace, in the sense of rightness that flooded through her. For just this brief time, there was only the two of them, rediscovering what they'd once had and discovering something new—something deeper.
A throat clearing from the doorway broke them apart.
Reed stood there, amusement and concern warring in his expression.
"Not to interrupt," he said dryly, "but we have a situation."
Sabrina felt Walker immediately shift to alert mode, though his hand remained protectively at her waist.
"What kind of situation?" he asked.
"Kraslov is making moves. Our sources say he's preparing to leave the country—tomorrow."
Alarm shot through her. "We're not ready," she protested.
"We don't have a choice," Reed replied. "If he gets to certain countries, extradition becomes impossible."
Walker's expression changed. "We need to move now. Cut him off before he can get out."
Reed nodded. "My team is mobilizing, we have some government resources of our own. We leave in thirty minutes."
As Reed retreated to make final preparations, Walker turned back to her, regret clear in his expression. "So much for getting some rest."
Sabrina smiled, though worry had replaced the warmth she'd felt moments before. "Be careful out there."
"I'm coming back," he promised, his hand cupping her cheek. "We're just getting started here."
She covered his hand with her own, memorizing the feel of his palm against her skin. "I'll hold you to that."
Walker kissed her once more, swift but thorough, before stepping back. "Stay with Henry. Don't leave the safe house, no matter what."
"Not planning on it," she assured him, trying to keep her tone light despite the fear curling in her stomach. "Go get the bad guy, SEAL."
