Page 78 of Raven

“You’re welcome,” I said, pulling her to the riverbank with the others. We scrambled up the muddy slope, soaking wet, scratched, and the nuns looked like they were barely holding it together.

But they were alive.

Once we were clear and the others had caught their breath, I pulled Sister Jude aside.

“You okay?” I asked.

She nodded, chest heaving, eyes sharp. “Yes, I’m fine. I need to check on the others.”

I should’ve walked away. Should’ve stayed focused. But something about her—this woman in a torn habit with a wicked grin and too many secrets—had crawled under my skin.

“You ever think about what you’d say if it all ended tomorrow?” I asked suddenly, not sure why those words were coming out of my mouth now.

She blinked. “Wow. Dark turn.”

“Just answer.”

Her smirk faltered. She looked at me—really looked. “I’d say I regret not kissing someone when I had the chance.”

My throat went dry.

“Yeah?” I said roughly. “Me too.”

And then,we leaned in.

Close. Closer.

I saw it all in that second: the fire in her eyes and her lips parted like she was daring me to close the gap. My hand found her waist. Her breath hitched.

And just before our mouths met—

“HEY!” Faron’s voice cut through the trees. “Not to interrupt the whole jungle love story, but we’ve got company! Movement!”

The moment shattered.

We sprang apart.

“I’m sorry, sister.”

Jude’s face flushed, but she gave me a quick wink. “Saved by Faron.”

I groaned.

“Right now? We run.”

And we did.

Side by side, through mud and vines and adrenaline. Our almost-kiss hanging in the air like a live wire, sparking every time our eyes met.Damn Beau Allen you can not kiss a nun. Right? Yes right!Beau is my real name, Cyclone is my Army Special Forces name.

38

Cyclone

It started with a stumble.

One minute, Sister Jude was ahead of me, clearing a path with that stubborn, fearless energy of hers. The next, she tripped and caught herself on a mossy tree trunk, swatting at her arm.

“Ow,” she muttered, shaking her sleeve. “Damn twig just bit me.”

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