Page 71 of Rafe’s Future

Burning wood crackled, the dancing flames sending clouds of billowing smoke high into the air. Someone would probably see it come daylight and report it to the authorities.

They’ll only find one body in the rubble.

By then, it will be obvious that only one person was dead at the scene. And anyone watching his place back in Charlotte will most likely have figured out that he and Lena had slipped away. They’ll assume they took off in search of Lena’s people, which led them here.

He spared a glance at the woman walking beside him. She turned those gorgeous eyes of hers his way.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

She frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m appreciating the view.”

And the fact that we’re still alive.

Lena smiled, holding his gaze captive. A few steps later, she pulled the keys to his car from her pocket.

“You know”—she paused dramatically—“I did save your life.”

She twirled the keychain around her finger with a playful waggle of her brows.

Rafe’s deep chuckle reverberated into the air. “Pretty sure I thanked you quite properly for that.”

Appearing almost as a subconscious act, the tip of her tongue swiped across her rosy lips. He wondered if she could still taste him.

I can still taste her.

“Yes, you did.” Lena’s delicate chin rose a bit higher. “But I think I’ve earned the right to drive. At least, for tonight.”

Rafe didn’t bother trying to hide his smile. “I agree,” he rumbled low. “You can drive.”

She went to the driver’s side door with a slight bounce in her step, making him love her that much more.

They’d nearly died tonight, yet here she was, practically giddy at the idea of driving his car. Most women he’d met over the course of his fifty-plus years would be in hysterical tears after experiencing something like that.

Not my Lena.

She wasn’t his yet, but that was about to change. Because Rafe’s earlier thoughts about second chances and taking advantage of life’s blessings weren’t fleeting. They hadn’t gone away simply because he’d lived.

If anything, his desire to pursue something more with Lena was stronger than ever. And if the way she’d kissed him back was any indication, she was open to the idea as well.

Only one way to find out.

They got into the car. He and Lena buckled their seatbelts. Lena fired up the engine and started to put it into reverse.

Rafe reached out at the last second, covering her hand with his. She looked his way. He leaned over the console and pressed his lips to hers.

“Go south,” he instructed. “I’ll find us a hotel for the night.”

“Isn’t that too risky?”

“Not if the reservation isn’t under my real name.” He pulled out his wallet and showed her the driver’s license with one of his most trusted—and impenetrable—aliases.

Lena chuckled. “Brandon Smith?”

“In the flesh.” He sat back in his seat. “Once I nail down a location, I’ll have West make the reservations online, just to be safe.”