Page 69 of Rafe’s Future

Looking over his shoulder, Rafe found a moment of solace when their gazes met. “You can still walk away, you know?” he offered.

The smile she flashed him was one he’d never forget.

“And miss all this fun?” She gave his hand a quick squeeze before pulling in a steadying breath. “You ready?”

With the blocks there, theoretically Rafe should be able to simply step off the plate. But devices like this could be tricky, and they hadn’t come this far to chance it now.

“You want me to lie, or do you prefer I tell you the truth?”

Lena’s eyes held onto his. “I’m right here.”

Those three simple words damn near broke him open where he stood. Rafe filled his lungs, steeling himself for what could be the final seconds of his very existence.

“Pull as hard as you can.”

She steadied her stance. “On three?”

“On three.”

Lena began to count.

“One . . . two . . . three!”

Rafe felt a sudden, violent jerk as he was yanked outside with surprising strength. His feet cleared the mat as they tumbled toward the grass.

On reflex, he twisted his body mid-air, wrapping himself around Lena so he’d take the brunt of the fall. The air was forced from his lungs, his back slamming against the earth before he rolled them over so he was on top.

With his head ducked, Rafe covered her body with his. Lena’s chest heaved harshly against his as they waited for the bomb to blow.

It never did.

Rafe spared a glance in that direction, shocked to see the cabin was still standing. The blocks were still in place. The bomb never went off.

It actually worked.

He looked down at Lena. “Are you okay?”

“I’m good.” She nodded. “You?”

“You saved my life.” His gaze became lost within hers. “I don’t know what to say.”

One corner of her mouth lifted into a taunting smirk. “I think the words you’re looking for are ‘thank you’.”

Now free from the confines of the cabin’s dark interior, the intensity of her stare was damn near blinding. Or maybe he was merely seeing her through a set of brand-new eyes. Ones that finally recognized what he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.

It’s her.

Rafe reached down, cupping the back of her neck and pulling her up into a kiss that felt like a smoldering collision. Born of adrenaline, near-death, and feelings that had been suppressed for far too long, it tasted of desperation and relief. Passion and heat.

And dare he think it⁠—

This feels a lot like love.

He’d been given a second chance at ife and at love, and this time, he wasn’t about to let it slip past. Not this time. Not anymore.

I’m never letting her go again.

Lena gasped into his mouth, her hands clutching at the front of his protective vest. She melted against him, returning the kiss with a fierce, trembling fervor.