Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

N ow that the essentials of surviving were once again easy to come by and the threat of being killed was over, it was time to get to work. They needed to figure out how to adapt the purification system and the nano-regenerative technology to do what they needed before time ran out.

As they made their way to Roq’s private laboratory, the soft brush of her arm against his as they walked and the gentle pressure of her hand in his sent sparks of electricity through him. He marveled at how quickly she had become an essential part of his life and how naturally they fit together.

The lab doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the state-of-the-art facility that had once been Roq’s solitary domain. Now, with Mila by his side, it felt like a shared space – their space. Holographic displays flickered to life as they entered, bathing the room in a soft blue glow.

“Home sweet home,” Mila quipped, a teasing smile playing on her lips. She released Roq’s hand to move toward one of the workstations, but not before trailing her fingers along his arm in a touch that was both casual and intimate.

Roq watched her for a moment, admiring the graceful way she moved, the confident set of her shoulders as she began pulling up data on the nearest screen. He allowed himself a moment to marvel at how far they’d come – from reluctant political allies to... this. Whatever this was. He hadn’t said the words yet, but in his heart, he knew. He was in love with Mila Arison.

Shaking himself from his reverie, Roq moved to join her. “Let’s start with the atmospheric purification systems,” he suggested, leaning in close over her shoulder.

Mila leaned back against him, her body fitting perfectly against his. “Mmm, good idea,” she murmured, her focus on the data before them. “If we can modify the existing systems to target the specific pollutants from Wrezen’s operation, we could potentially clear the air in a matter of weeks rather than months.”

Roq nodded, his chin brushing against her hair. “Exactly. And if we integrate that with the nano-regenerative technology for soil restoration...” His hands flew over the controls, bringing up schematics and simulations.

They worked in tandem, bouncing ideas off each other and refining their plans. Hours passed in a blur of scientific discussion and shared eureka moments. But underlying it all was a current of growing intimacy – casual touches, lingering glances, and the way they gravitated toward each other even as they moved around the lab.

As the first hints of dawn began to color the sky outside, Roq realized they had worked through the night. He looked at Mila, expecting to see fatigue, but instead found her eyes bright with excitement and determination.

“I think we’ve got something here,” she said, gesturing to the complex web of plans and simulations they had created. “It’s ambitious, maybe even a little crazy, but...”

“But it might just work,” Roq finished, a grin spreading across his face. Without thinking, he pulled Mila into a tight embrace, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around in a moment of pure joy.

Mila laughed, the sound bright and beautiful in the quiet lab. As Roq set her down, she didn’t step back, instead staying close, her arms looped around his neck. “We make a darn good team,” she said softly, her eyes searching his.

Roq’s hands settled on her waist, drawing her even closer. “The best,” he agreed, his voice low and husky. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. “Mila, I...”

He wanted to say it. The words were there on the tip of his tongue. I love you. But something held him back – fear, perhaps, or the lingering sense that this wasn’t the right moment, not with so much at stake.

Mila seemed to sense his internal struggle. She smiled softly, reaching up to cup his cheek. “I know,” she whispered, and then she was kissing him, soft and sweet and full of promise.

Roq returned the kiss with fervor, pouring all the words he couldn’t say into the gesture. When they finally parted, he couldn’t help but smile. “We should probably get some rest,” he said reluctantly. “We have a big day ahead of us.”

Mila nodded but made no move to step away. Instead, she tucked her head under his chin, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Five more minutes,” she murmured against his chest.

Roq chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Five more minutes,” he agreed, holding her close.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms with the first light of dawn streaming through the windows, Roq felt a sense of peace settle over him. Maybe, soon, he would find the courage to tell Mila exactly how he felt.

For now, though, this moment was enough. They had a planet to save, after all.