Trapped (The Condemned Series #1) - Alison Aimes Page 0,46

it. Still, it didn’t matter. With his chest bare, his legs planted far apart, his pants dipping low on his hips, the position put every slab of mouthwatering sculpted muscle on display.

Her nipples grew hard, her blood heating. And from the slow, smoldering half-smirk that eased across his face, he knew exactly what looking at him did to her.

Maybe amazing sex was all they’d ever really have, but at least it was something.

“You’re not interrupting at all.” Purposely wading to the more shallow section, she brought the soap across her chest in a slow, deliberate caress. “I was just getting cleaned up.”

His grip on the ledge tightened, his gaze tracking her every move. “You missed a spot.” It was more a growl than a sentence.

She kept her smile to herself. The spring might soothe some of her worries, but only being in Caine’s arms could make them all disappear for a while. “Hmmm. Care to help me get it?”

“Hell yes.” He prowled forward. Only to stop short. “Uh, no.”

She frowned. Caine wasn’t one to hesitate. “If this is about what I said before about leaving—”

“No.” He cut her off. “I know why you said it. And I may not like your plan, but I do admire the way you look out for your colleagues and your siblings.” He took a deep breath. “This–this is something else.” His hand came from behind his back. “I meant to give you these before.”

Her chest went tight.

Clutched in his big hand was an explosion of color, a tangle of stems and petals in blue and purple and yellow and pink, some standing up straight while others drooped over his hand.

“Flowers.” She blinked fast. “You brought me flowers?”

“Yea.” He shuffled his feet. “They got a little crumpled in the pack.” He shook his head. “I meant to give them to you right away, but I got distracted.”

“They’re beautiful.” She waded forward, her arms outstretched, a corresponding riot of color exploding in her chest. “The best gift I’ve ever gotten.” Actually, the only gift she’d ever gotten. “Where’d you find them?”

“Oasis. The purple ones grow near the banks while the pink and yellow are in the trees.”

The picture of him scurrying around collecting flowers almost brought her to her knees. He’d done so much for her already. Kept her safe. Killed to protect her. And now this.

Forget distance. Forget perspective. Forget pretending to herself her heart wasn’t involved. She was going to seize every moment she could, and somehow, some way, she was going to figure out a way to take Caine with her when she left Dragath25. Even if they weren’t meant to be in the long run. Even if he dumped her the second they were back on Earth. Maybe she didn’t know everything about his past or how this woman Gwen factored into his life, but she knew enough about him to know he didn’t deserve to die alone on Dragath25. She was getting him off this hellhole and back to the kind of life a good man like him deserved. With or without his help.

She held out her hand. Slowly, he crouched at the edge of the ledge and handed them over. Cradling them like a child, careful not to let even one slip through her grasp, she lifted them to her nose and inhaled.

The fragrance was amazing. Floral. Sweet. Precious life, beauty, and hope all tangled together. Just like what she felt in Caine’s arms.

“I want you here, Bella.”

Her gaze flew to his.

“I know I’ve been a moody pain in the ass. I know I can sometimes get a little too intense about safety. I know I’m not the chattiest of guys. But none of that is any kind of reflection on my thinking about you.” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re here.” His gaze trailed from her eyes to her lips and back again. “I understand you have to go—eventually. But until that time comes, I want you here with me. Not just because I’m the best one to keep you safe. Or even because of the deal.” He sucked down a deep breath. “Just…just because.”

It was another incredible gift. And one she knew was all the more precious because it hadn’t been easy for him to offer up.

“I want to be here.” She looked up at him standing so beautiful and so alone on the rock above and her heart twisted. Please, oh please, let me figure out a way to save him as well. “Not just because