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Chapter 19

NINETEEN

Emma leaned against the window of the fifth room she'd called hers in the last week, staring out at the desolate landscape.

The hauntingly beautiful scene served as a stark reminder of how far they'd come from Northern California, and how close they were to their destination—Washington, D.C.

A part of her still couldn't believe they'd made it this far with so little excitement after the danger with Marcus. It seemed surreal that real safety might be within her grasp.

Emma sighed heavily as she slid down onto her bed mattress on the floor of their shelter for the night. She couldn't help but marvel at how far they'd come together. From surviving against all odds by herself with her animals to being on the brink of something truly extraordinary—safety and hope—everything was almost over.

She closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out images of what might be waiting for them in D.C.—the sanctuary they'd been told existed somewhere beyond these desolate plains.

Her thoughts drifted back to the past week and a half and the constant danger when leaving San Jose behind.

The world she'd known was a distant memory now, replaced by vast deserts and broken cities. Things she assumed had taken over the country were impossible to confirm until this journey. And then, everything just seemed to get easy.

Maybe the danger of saving those women from Marcus just overshadowed smaller events that may have been more dangerous had she not had more scope.

No, it had truly been easier once we hit the upper Midwest.

Every moment with the men had been equal parts frustration and pleasure. She knew what Liam had told her, but they'd all seemed to steer clear after the disaster that was her kiss with Chris three days ago.

They were all still wonderful, but she missed what she'd grown used to with them. A time when they'd been strangers learning one another with their own secrets and stories to learn, but the openness to learn them.

They'd bonded over shared experiences and found solace in each other's company. The world outside was harsh and unforgiving, but within the group, there was a sense of camaraderie that kept them going.

And here they were—still standing strong amidst chaos that seemed determined to swallow them whole. She still couldn't believe they way she found herself with these mean, and was grateful for having found something real among so much darkness—something she would fight for if they wanted to when the teim came.

A soft knock on the door shattered her reverie. Ranger wasn't there to bark, so she assumed it couldn't be Liam bringing him back from training. She loved that he'd started working with Ranger on search techniques. It seemed to keep Ranger alert in ways she hadn't been able to do since going underground .

"Hey, Em. Can I join you?" Alex's voice drifted through the thin wooden barrier, tinged with a hint of hesitation she wasn't used to hearing from him.

"Of course, it's open."

The door creaked inward and Alex's presence filled the room in more ways than one, the warmth of his muscular frame radiating toward her as he closed the door behind him. His hazel eyes, so similar yet different from hers, roamed her face as if memorizing every freckle and curve, sending a shiver down her spine.

In the dim light filtering through the dust-covered window, Alex's features seemed to take on a rugged attractiveness that was almost otherworldly. His spiky brown hair was in need of a trim, and the stubble on his jawline only accentuated the angles of his jaw.

Emma caught herself staring and felt her cheeks flush, ducking her head to hide the telltale flush crawling up her neck.

"I know our time together is running out," Alex began, his voice low and husky. "We've been through so much shit together, and I—" He paused as if struggling to find the right words. "I just wanted to say I've enjoyed your company, Em. More than I thought I would."

Emma looked up, her hazel eyes meeting his. "I have too," she admitted her voice barely above a whisper. She blushed, her cheeks flaming red as she looked away. "I wasn't expecting just how much I have."

Alex chuckled, joining her on the small bed. "Yeah, me neither. I've never been one for commitment, but something about you, Em, you've got a way of sneaking under my skin."

Emma couldn't help but smile at that. "I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult."

Alex laughed, draping his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Trust me, it's a compliment. I just want you to know, whatever happens, I'll always have your back. "

Sighing, Emma leaned against him, savoring the warmth of his body against hers. "I know," she whispered. "And I'll always have yours, too."

Together, they sat without speaking, watching through the dusty window as the sun disappeared below the horizon, plunging them into night.

"You know, I've been thinking." Alex started, his voice low and husky.

"About?" Emma asked, her heart pounding in anticipation.

"About what it'll be like for you, once you're safe," he said, his hand tracing patterns on her arm.

Emma shrugged, her gaze locked on the flickering lights below. "I haven't allowed myself to think that far ahead. All I've been focused on is surviving, getting from one day to the next."

Alex was silent for a moment, his hand stilling on her arm. "I just don't want you to end up like . . . like one of them. I worry about what that path would be like. Not just for you, for anyone."

"One of them?"

"You know, a breeder. A woman lifted into the life of expectations. Expectations to save the future of humanity, but possibly discarded for the needs of said humanity." he closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, drawing Emma's eyes to his full lips. "I couldn't bear it, Em. You deserve more than that. You deserve?—"

"Love?"

Alex didn't respond, but he didn't have to. His silence was enough. Instead, he pulled her closer, their bodies pressed together, their breath mingling in the small room.

"I know it's selfish," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, "but I can't help but think of all the what-ifs, of what could have been if this damn world hadn't gone to shit. I just don't want to let you go." he stood, pulling away from her.

Emma's heart ached at the pain in his voice, the raw honesty in his words. She knew the feeling all too well. But she also knew there was no other way.

"Alex," she said, gently tracing his jawline with her fingertips. She didn't know what to say next, unable to vocalize the harsh truth.

Alex stepped closer, closing the distance between them. His hands cupped her cheeks, his thumbs gently brushing her flushed cheekbones as he tilted her chin upwards.

"I know you don't have to say it, but I want to hear it. I think I need to hear it to know I'm not crazy." He leaned in, his warm breath ghosting across her lips. "Tell me you feel it too, Em. The connection between us."

Emma's heart hammered in her chest, the thudding echoing in her ears. She knew she should pull away, remind him of the danger they still faced, the mission that awaited them in D.C. But in that moment, all she wanted was to feel alive, to feel something real and true.

"I do," she breathed, her voice shaky with anticipation. "I feel it, too."

Alex's cocky smirk transformed into a soft, tender smile. "I knew it," he murmured, his words barely a breath against her skin.

In one swift motion, Alex's lips crashed against hers, stealing her breath away. The kiss was urgent yet tender, a desperate expression of pent-up longing and a promise of better days to come. Their tongues danced together, exploring each other's mouths as if they were tasting the very essence of hope itself.

When they finally pulled away, gasping for air, Emma knew they had just crossed an irrevocable line. There was no going back now. They had confessed their feelings and sealed it with a kiss.

A kiss that carried the weight of the world's salvation on their shoulders.

It was Emma who set her hands on his shoulders, pulling Alex close again, demanding he continue what he started .

His strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, as if he were trying to memorize every curve and contour of her body. Emma's fingers dig into his T-shirt, anchoring herself to this moment, to him.

Their tongues danced together, tasting and exploring. Emma was desperate to seal this connection, to etch this memory into her very soul. Alex's hands roamed her body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. When he hoisted her up, Emma's legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.

Her back collided with the wall, the rough plaster digging into her shoulder blades, but she didn't care. She couldn't care because she was consumed by the sensations raging through her. Her practical clothes were gone in seconds, replaced by the cool night air and Alex's heated touch.

Alex's hands skim over her bra-clad breasts, causing her nipples to harden and a moan to escape her lips. His mouth left hers, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck, sending shivers down her spine even as his hand reached over the bra clasp through her shirt. It unclasped with a practiced ease that sent a wave of need through Emma.

This was a man who knew his way around a woman's body, and she'd never experienced that.

Her breasts spilled out with a quick flick of his fingers against her bra, flush against the scratchy cotton shirt. Alex looked at her, his eyes filled with hunger and desire, before he jerked the shirt up from the hem and tossed it over somewhere in the room. His lips latched onto one pert nipple, sucking, teasing, lavishing her with attention.

Her head fell back in ecstasy as molten desire rushed through her, and sensations drew her closer to the edge. Sensations she didn't know existed flooded through her, as if he'd awakened a dormant volcano within her.

Emma fumbled with his belt, her trembling fingers finally undoing it as his mouth moved to her other breast. When he set her down, she nearly tumbled from the pleasure-filled weakness rushing through her. Then, his pants join the discarded pile of clothing, revealing his arousal, straining against his boxers.

He stepped back then, just for a moment, and she almost whimpered in protest. His gaze locked with hers. Fingers brushed over her stomach as he pulled her jeans down, not bothering with the button.

"Tell me you want this, Em," he growled low, his voice rough with lust and emotion.

"I want this," she breathed, her hazel eyes not daring to leave his. "I want you, Alex."

His hands went under her, scooping her up and holding her against him as he moved them back to the shotty mattress.

The roughness of the sheets against her sensitive skin only heightened the sensations coursing through her body. His mouth found hers again. This time, when he kissed her, it was a deep, possessive kiss. His hands made quick work of her bottoms, sliding pants and underwear down with a practiced eased that sent a thrill through Emma. With one knee wedged between her thighs, he used his weight to part them further before pulling from her mouth to run his tongue along her inner thigh.

Alex," she moaned, arching into the touch as he teased her with soft licks and gentle nibbles.

His smile against her skin came with a wicked glint in his eyes that spoke volumes. His fingers glided downwards, tracing a path over her curves until they reached their destination—the wettest part of her. He groans low in his throat as he finally touches her core, fingers circling around the slick folds.

The sensation of his tongue flicking out to tease her entrance was almost too much for Emma to bear. She gasped as he parted her lower lips with one long stroke before pushing his tongue inside of her, making direct contact with her clit. She comes undone, legs shaking and back arching off the mattress as waves upon waves of pleasure wash over her. Her cries mingle with Alex's rough pants.

Each thrust of his tongue is more relentless than the last, mirroring the pounding of her heart against her ribcage. Her hands went to his hair, gripping reflexively as she tried to navigate this newfound world of pleasure he was unlocking.

The knock was almost inaudible.

Almost.

"Emma, can we talk? I need to clear the air."

She froze.

Even as the pleasure continued to send her legs pulsing, Emma froze atChris's voice coming through the door.

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