Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
RIGEL
As I haul myself over the railing and onto the deck, my eyes immediately seek out Mia. She’s standing near the center of the deck, wrapped in a dry blanket, with Blake and a towering, Norse god-like man on either side of her.
I start toward her, my heart pounding in my chest, but before I can take more than a step, the rest of Charlie team clambers over the railing behind me. Ethan, Gabe, Hank, and Walt fan out across the deck, their faces grim and alert as they scan our surroundings.
The woman with the vibrant, psychedelic hair saunters over to Ethan, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, well, Ethan,” she drawls, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “We sent you to rescue a damsel in distress, and you come back with the damsel and a stray puppy. Unconventional, to say the least.”
Mia tenses beside me, and I instinctively pull her closer, my jaw tightening. “I’m not a stray,” I growl, my voice low and warning. “And she’s not a damsel. She’s a survivor.”
The woman holds her hands up in a placating gesture, but the amusement doesn’t leave her eyes. “Easy there,” she says, her tone light and teasing. “Just joking.”
I blink, taken aback by her words .
Me? A stray puppy?
I’m not sure whether to be offended or amused.
But before I can respond, the giant of a man steps forward, his gaze intense and assessing as it sweeps over Mia and me. “Ethan, report,” he commands, his voice deep and resonant. “What happened out there?”
As Ethan recounts the mission, I tune out his words, focusing entirely on Mia. She’s shaking in my arms, her skin pale and clammy, and her eyes glazed with exhaustion and fear.
The woman with the kind face and the long, brown hair approaches us, a gentle smile on her lips. “Why don’t we get you inside and warmed up?” she suggests, her voice soft and soothing. “I’m sure you could use some dry clothes and a hot meal.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice rough with exhaustion and emotion.
As we follow the woman toward the warmth and light of the trawler’s interior, I feel the others’ eyes on us—curious, assessing, speculative.
They have questions, but I want answers.
For now, all that matters is Mia.
Everything else can wait.
The woman leads us down a narrow corridor, the metal walls humming with the vibration of the engines. She stops in front of a door and pushes it open, revealing a small but cozy cabin.
“I’m Skye, by the way,” she says, turning to face us with a warm smile. “I’m the medical head for Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists.”
Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists.
Blake mentioned he now works for them.
He even hinted that there might be a position open for me.
Skye’s gaze sweeps over us, her eyes sharp and assessing. “Let’s get you both checked out.” She gestures for us to sit on a narrow bunk. “Make sure there’s no lasting damage from your little swim.”
Her touch is gentle but firm as she examines first Mia, then me. She asks questions about our injuries, our exposure to the cold, and our level of exhaustion. I answer as best I can, my voice sounding distant and hollow to my own ears.
“You’re both lucky,” Skye says at last, leaning back with a sigh. “A little hypothermic, a lot exhausted, but nothing a warm meal and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”
Skye gestures to the door. “Mitzy and I should have something that will fit Mia, and I’ll grab something out of the guys’ rooms that you can wear. In the meantime, I might suggest a hot shower. It’ll help to warm both of you. Just make sure to test the temperature first. Hypothermia makes you less sensitive to heat, and I don’t want you to scald yourselves. Forest loves his showers hot, and the boiler’s turned up as a result.”
She pauses, her hand on the doorknob. “The shower in this cabin is a bit of a squeeze for two. If you like, I can show you to another cabin where you can shower separately?”
“I’m not leaving Mia’s side.” I stand, shaking my head. “One shower will be enough, thank you.”
“I figured as much.” Skye nods, and a flicker of understanding flashes in her eyes. “I’ll be back shortly with the clothes. Take all the time you need. Then, come up to the galley. We have a lot to talk about.”
I nod, too tired to argue. As Skye slips out of the cabin, closing the door softly behind her, I turn to Mia. She looks small and fragile, huddled in the blanket, her eyes huge in her pale face.
“Hey,” I murmur, reaching out to tuck a strand of damp hair behind her ear. “How are you holding up?”
She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. “I’m okay,” she whispers, but there’s a tremor in her voice. “Just… Just tired.”
I pull her into my arms, holding her close. “I know, baby. I know. But you’re safe now. I promise.”
We stay like that for a long moment, just breathing each other in. Then, reluctantly, I pull away.
“Come on,” I say softly, handing her the bundle of clothes. “Let’s hop in that shower. ”
“I’d rather not shower alone.” Mia looks up at me, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “Will you… Will you join me?”
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.” My heart clenches at the quiet plea in her voice.
Together, we strip out of our wet clothes, leaving them in a sodden pile on the floor. The small bathroom is cramped, and the shower stall is barely big enough for one person, let alone two.
Keeping Skye’s warning in mind, I test the temperature before letting Mia step in.
As we step under the warm spray, the water flowing over our chilled skin, the world seems to fall away. It’s only us, the steam curling around our bodies and the heat chasing away the last of the cold.
I pull Mia close, my hands skimming over the smooth expanse of her back, tracing the delicate curve of her spine. She sighs, melting into my touch, her head coming to rest on my chest. The steady thrum of her heartbeat beats against my chest.
Warm water sluices over our skin, washing away the salt, the sweat, and the fear. There’s scarcely space to move.
Not that we care.
We’re just bodies, heat, hands, and lips.
I pull Mia close, reveling in the feel of her against me, the way her curves fit perfectly against the planes of my body. My hands trace the contours of her back, the dip of her waist, and the swell of her hips—not to arouse but to memorize, to cherish.
We stay like that for a long time, lost in the intimate moment.
My fingers tangle in her wet hair, tilting her face up to mine. I brush a tender kiss across her lips, tasting the salt of the ocean and the sweetness that is pure Mia.
She sighs into my touch, her own hands skimming over my chest and my shoulders, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Her lips find mine, soft and sweet, a balm to my battered soul. I lose myself in her kiss, in the taste of her.
The scent of her.
The feel of her.
She responds eagerly, her mouth moving against mine with a passion that steals my breath. Her hands slide up my chest, curling around my neck, pulling me closer. I groan, the sound muffled by the falling water as our bodies align, skin against skin.
Without hesitation, I deepen the kiss, my tongue dancing with hers as my hands explore her curves. One hand snakes down her spine, tracing every vertebra until it reaches the small of her back, where it meets the swell of her ass. The other cups her face, fingers tangling in her wet hair, pulling it free from her face as I tilt for a better angle.
Her lips part slightly under mine, inviting me in further and I take the invitation without hesitation. Our tongues twist and tangle, exploring each other’s mouths as if we’ve been craving this moment for several lifetimes.
Against the slick tile wall of the shower, my cock hardens, lengthening and thickening from the heat and closeness of her body pressing against me. My right hand slides down to her hip, over the supple curve, and down to her thigh, then up along the inner one.
She gasps into my mouth as I brush against the sensitive folds between her legs, tracing circles around her clit.
Her hips buck against the touch, grinding against my hand as if seeking more. I oblige, slipping first one finger and then another inside her, stroking her walls and exploring every inch of heaven that I find within.
She cries out into my mouth, the sound muffled by the kiss but no less potent. Her fingers dig into my shoulders as she arches into my touch, begging for release with her body language alone.
Together, we create a symphony of sounds that fill the small space—the slick splash of water hitting flesh, the sighs and moans that escape our lips as we lose ourselves in this moment.
The scent of her arousal mingles with the soap from our bodies, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma that ignites my senses even more.
As my tongue explores every inch of her mouth, my fingers continue to work their magic on her clit, circling faster and harder until she’s panting and mewling against me. Her neck arches and her eyes roll back in pleasure as she gasps for breath between our kisses.
While I pleasure her with one hand, my other hand slides up her flat stomach, tracing the ripples of muscle and the dip in her lower abdomen as it approaches her breast.
When I reach my goal, my fingers find her hard nipple, teasing it between my fingers.
She shivers against me, the sensation sending waves of pleasure through both of us.
Her entire body trembles under my touch.
I pull back from the kiss slightly, looking down into her eyes. They’re dark and full of lust. Her lips are parted and glisten from our kisses.
“Mia,” I whisper before trailing my tongue down her jaw and across her collarbone, following with my fingertips. “You’re mine. Never forget it.”
Mia’s breath comes in short, sharp pants as I take her nipple into my mouth, sucking and licking with ravenous desire. My fingers continue their dance around her clit, teasing and tormenting until she’s writhing in my grasp.
She grips my wrist tightly, begging for more. Her hips buck and thrust against my hand, trying to find that perfect spot that sends shockwaves of pleasure through her entire body.
The water cascades down our skin, taking our scents with it, mixing them together into a unique fragrance that is all ours.
It smells of love, lust, and need.
The heat of the water against our skin only serves to heighten the sensations coursing through us both. Her fingers dig into my shoulders as she tries to steady herself against this overwhelming onslaught of pleasure.
She trembles beneath me, and her walls clench around my finger as her climax finally catches up to her. Our kiss muffles her cries of pleasure as she arches her back in ecstasy.
Once her orgasm runs its course, Mia takes my aching cock in her hand. I thrust into her hand, my hips bucking wildly against the pleasure she brings. She strokes in time with my thrusts, looking up at me with heat in her eyes. I tip my head back, moaning, as she grips me tighter.
In some form of contortionist magic, Mia twists and slides down to her knees in the cramped shower. She guides my hard length toward her wet lips and looks up at me as if asking for permission.
“Fuuuuck, Mia, you have no idea how hot you look on your knees.” I cup the back of her head and slowly pull her mouth to my aching cock.
Her tongue swirls around the head, teasing and tasting before she slowly takes me in, down to the root.
She bobs her head up and down, swallowing me with a reverent moan as her fingers dance on my thighs, teasing and stroking as she takes more of me into her mouth. Her throat works as she goes deeper, her nose pressing against my stomach with every bob of her head.
Mia’s eyes shut tightly as she focuses solely on pleasuring me. I groan into the wet heat of her mouth, feeling the pleasure wash over me like a tidal wave. The sounds of slurping and sucking fill the small space between us, creating an erotic symphony in my ears.
My orgasm builds.
It’s like a storm brewing within me, dark clouds rolling and lightning flashing as it builds to an intense crescendo. My hips buck and jerk with each stroke of her tongue against my sensitive flesh.
The feel of her hot, wet mouth sends shivers down my spine. Her scent surrounds me: the warm, salty taste of desire mixed with the clean scent of water.
Every time she pauses to swallow, I gasp for more.
She looks up at me with hooded eyes, her cheeks hollowing as she takes more of me into her mouth. Her fingers tease and torment every nerve ending they can find.
I grab her hair gently, pushing deeper into her mouth. She sucks harder, wrapping her lips tightly around me as I thrust. My fingers dig into her shoulders.
She looks up at me, eyes filled with lust, and that’s it. My orgasm crashes through me like an unstoppable tsunami .
“Oh fuck, Mia,” I gasp as my hips jerk forward in a violent motion.
My cum spurts into her mouth, hot and thick. She swallows every drop, moaning as she does. Her tongue laps at the head of my cock, milking the last drops of pleasure from it before she pulls away with a satisfied grin.
I reach down and pull her back to her feet. Without a word, we wrap our arms around each other and simply hold on as tight as we can.
From there, we take our time, learning each other anew.
There is no urgency and no rush toward completion.
There is only the slide of skin against skin, the brush of fingers against sensitive flesh, and the whisper of breath against eager lips.
The heat simmering between us is undeniable. It’s about connection, about affirming that we’re here, we’re alive, we’re together.
It’s about love, pure and simple.
I pour every ounce of tenderness, every shred of devotion, into my touch and kiss. I want her to feel cherished, adored, and safe in the circle of my arms. I want her to know, without a doubt, that she is my everything.
Heat builds between us again, a slow, simmering warmth that has little to do with the temperature of the water. It’s the heat of connection, affection, and the bone-deep knowledge that this is where we belong.
Together.
Slowly, reverently, I map the contours of her body, committing every dip and curve to memory. She arches into my caress, a soft moan escaping her lips as I bring her to the cusp and beyond once again.
The water cools, but the heat between us only grows. It’s Mia who finally reaches behind me to turn off the spray. Her eyes are dark and heavy-lidded as she looks up at me. Her eyes meet mine with a softness that steals my breath.
Wordlessly, I grab a towel and wrap it around her shoulders, taking a moment to drink her in .
She blushes under my gaze, a rosy hue staining her cheeks, her neck, and the upper swells of her breasts. A surge of tenderness rises within me, along with a fierce protectiveness that lodges in my throat.
I gently towel her dry, my touch reverent and worshipful. She returns the favor, her hands gliding over my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“We should probably get out before we turn into prunes,” she murmurs, a hint of playfulness in her voice despite the emotion thick in the air.
Together, we dry off, stealing soft touches and gentle kisses, a bubble of intimacy in the midst of the chaos.
“Probably,” I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her nose.
There is a new intimacy between us, a sense of being known and being seen, right down to our very souls. It’s a heady feeling I want to bottle up and keep forever.
As we step out of the bathroom, the real world comes rushing back, but things have shifted between us, a bond forged in the crucible of shared adversity, tempered by the heat of our connection.
Skye must have returned while we were in the shower, as we find two piles of clothes stacked neatly on one of the bunks.
We dress quickly, the dry fabric a welcome change from our soaked clothing. Mia looks small and fragile in the borrowed shirt and sweatpants, but there’s a new determination in the set of her shoulders, a glint of steel in her eyes.
“Ready?” I ask softly, reaching out to take her hand.
“Ready.”
Our fingers intertwine, and together, we head toward the galley and toward answers that await us.