Page 109 of Last Light

Travis doesn’t say anything as he drives for almost an hour over hills and broad fields until we finally reach the woods we’ve been heading for.

We check the perimeter until we find an old dirt trail. It’s mostly overgrown, but Travis pushes through anyway. It’s clearer as we go deeper.

We’re surrounded by nothing but trees now. No one can see us unless they’re right on top of us.

I feel Travis finally relax beside me.

He finds a clearing near a small creek—enough to fill our bottles and splash water onto our faces—and he puts the Jeep into park.

I stumble out onto the ground, taking deep breaths and trying to relax.

The dog gives a little yap and bounds into the trees. He’s happy now. He feels safe.

I don’t know what I feel.

I stand in place until Travis comes up right in front of me. “Hey. Y’okay?”

I nod. I’m still shaking a little.

He makes a rough sound in his throat and pulls me into his arms. “It’s okay, darlin’. We’re okay.”

I bury my face in his shirt. He smells really strong right now after three long days and a lot of effort. But I’m glad. He’s Travis. He’s vibrant and solid and alive.

He’sgood.

I can feel him against me, surrounding me. I can breathe him in.

He’s still murmuring that we’re okay, that we’re safe, that he’s got me, and it’s making me feel even better.

It’s a long time before I loosen my arms and look up at him. “I was scared.”

His eyes are so deep. Still fierce from what he was feeling before, but also something else. Something tender. “I know.” He swallows. “Me too.”

“Did you see his tattoo?”

“Yeah. One of the other guys had the same one. Hopefully they’re scouts going ahead of the drove. That would mean we’re not too late.”

“I hope so. You were amazing.”

“So were you. Even the dog was pretty damn impressive.”

“He was amazing too.” I fist my fingers in his shirt. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

He tilts his head down and rubs his cheek against mine. His bristles are scratchy. “I thought I was gonna lose everythin’.”

Something in his words—in the rasp of his voice—triggers a need in me that can’t be denied, can’t be ignored.

The urgency of my fear transforms into a different sort of urgency. I slide my hands down his chest and then around to his back, tucking my fingers under the waistband of his jeans. I sway forward enough to press a kiss on his shoulder. Then another at the base of his neck.

His pulse is throbbing. I feel it against my lips. His heart is beating so fast.

Like mine.

“Layne.” He’s holding himself very still.

I kiss his pulse point again. “Travis, please.”

He makes a choked sound and grabs me hard.

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