Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

R oq lay on his back, the high-tech blanket beneath them on its thickest setting softening the hard cave floor. His attention was entirely focused on Mila, nestled against his side, her head resting on his chest. Her hair, still slightly damp from the rain, tickled his skin, but he wouldn’t have moved for anything in the world.

The cave was quiet now, the only sounds were their soft breathing and the patter of rain outside. The air around them felt charged, filled with unspoken emotions and the lingering warmth of their shared intimacy.

Roq’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Mila’s bare shoulder, marveling at the softness of her skin. He could scarcely believe what had just transpired between them. It was more than physical; it was a connection that ran deeper than he’d ever experienced.

“What are you thinking?” Mila’s voice was soft, slightly muffled against his chest.

Roq smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “I’m thinking that I never want this moment to end,” he admitted. “That I want to stay here, just like this, with you.”

Mila propped herself up on an elbow, looking down at him. In the dim light of the cave, her eyes seemed to glow, filled with an emotion that made Roq’s heart race. “I never expected this,” she said softly. “When I came to Tharvis, when I agreed to this arrangement... I never thought I’d feel this way about you.”

Roq reached up, cupping her cheek in his hand. “Neither did I,” he confessed. “But now that I have you, Mila, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Mila leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When she opened them again, there was a vulnerability there. “Roq,” she started, her voice barely above a whisper, “I... I like you. A lot. And it scares me.”

His heart skipped a beat at her words. He sat up, keeping Mila close, and looked into her eyes. “I like you too, Mila,” he said, his voice low and intense. “You’re important to me. More than any treaty or research. You. Just you.”

Mila’s lips curved into a small smile. “You’re pretty slick, handsome,” she said, a hint of her usual humor returning to her voice.

Roq chuckled softly, pulling her closer. “You’re pretty wild, Dr. Arison,” he murmured. “But, Mila, I need you to know something. This isn’t just because of our situation. What I feel for you... it’s real. Whether we’re in this cave or at the palace surrounded by politics and duty, that won’t change.”

Mila’s eyes shimmered in the dim light. “Good,” she whispered. “Because I feel the same way. And that scares me even more than any danger we might face out there.”

They settled back, Mila curled against Roq’s side, his arms wrapped protectively around her. As exhaustion began to overtake them, Roq found himself marveling at how perfectly they fit together as if they were two pieces of a puzzle finally united.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he murmured into her hair. “Whatever we face out there, I’ll keep you safe.”

Mila tilted her head to look up at him, her eyes soft in the dim light. “And I’ll keep you safe,” she replied. “We protect each other, Roq. That’s what partners do.”

The word partners sent a thrill through Roq. It encompassed everything they were becoming to each other - allies, friends, lovers, protectors. He tightened his arms around her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

“Partners,” he agreed. “I like the sound of that.”