Saving Calen

26.

Aylah's POV

I lead him outside.

The blood from his hands stick to mine as we walk into the woods behind the house.

Sexy.

We finally stop at a shallow river. I sit on a large rock and he sits on his haunches beside me. His hair is tossed and his green eyes shine behind all of the bruises on his face.

He stares at the dirt and I watch him. I watch the way his jaw clenches and releases. I watch him look over his shoulder a bajillion times. I watch as every small noise sets him on edge.

He's changed. His features seem sharper, his eyes angrier.

And he's beautiful.

The freckles that lightly line his face make me giddy in a way they haven't before and I'd do absolutely anything to see that smile on his face again.

To make his eyes light up.

I take a deep breath and stand up. I walk directly in front of him as he watches me like a hawk. I turn and stare him directly in the eyes as I start sliding my clothes off.

He blinks a few times before a smirk spreads across his face.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

I shrug, "felt like a swim." I toss my bra and underwear at him. He catches them in his hands and smiles a bit broader.

"You coming?"

I slowly wade into the water, the biting cold making me shiver.

"Cold?" He asks. I turn around and give him a playful look.

"Yes, actually. Too bad I don't have anyone to keep me warm, do you think Arche-"

He's stripping down and running in before I finish. I squeal as he crashes into the water and grabs my body, bringing my body closer to his.

He lowers his head and presses his lips to mine. The breath flees from my lungs and my mind explodes with fireworks.

I kiss him back and he gently pulls away.

He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him. His eyes grow lusty as I kiss him harder.

He presses his head to mine, but keeps his eyes close.

"Aylah, there's only two things in this life that will ever have me."

I pull away, curious as to what that second thing is.

So I can kill it.

Lord.

He opens his eyes. "You and death."

In that moment, I reach the point of no return. I realize I'd go to the ends of the earth for the man in front of me.

"I love you, Calen."

He hugs my body closer before his entire body goes rigid. A whistling sound catches my attention, but I ignore it.

Probably Archer being an idiot.

"Get out."

I give him a confused look, but the softness in his eyes is long gone as he focuses on something behind me.

"Get out, now." The seriousness in his voice sends shivers through my body.

We both run back to the beach and quickly put our clothes on.

"We need to get back to the house now."

He's already running and tugging me along before I have the chance to get a word in.