Captain Swan - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Chapter 15

As the sun dips into the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the beach, Killian can't help but appreciate how stunning Emma looks. The soft sunlight highlights her beauty, making her even more radiant. The army green tube top she's wearing accentuates her sun-kissed shoulders and collarbone, framing her features delicately and showing off her toned, sexy stomach. The ripped denim shorts hug her curves in all the right places, showcasing the graceful lines of her figure and her long, gorgeous legs that go on for miles.

Good gods.

Her hair shimmers in the sun, tousled by the sea breeze, framing her face like a golden halo as they walk along the beach. Her eyes sparkle with the fading sunlight, adding an enchanting depth to her gaze. He can't help but be enraptured by her, by the way she effortlessly exudes an air of elegance.

He knows they're in the middle of a dangerous game they're playing in hopes of luring Cassidy out of hiding. But in this moment, the world around them fades into the background, and all that matters is the woman he's holding hands and laughing with as they wade in the water.

He's well aware of the depth of his feelings for Emma, feelings that go beyond the show they're putting on. Her fierceness, her strength and her beauty captivate him in ways he never expected. So to him, this isn't just about making Cassidy jealous; it's about savoring the moments he gets to spend with her, even if they're under false pretenses. 

He knows the way she looks at him isn't for show. He can feel it in his bones. He revels in the way she responds to him, the genuine blushes that grace her cheeks when he teases her or gives her a compliment, the heartwarming smiles that light up her face and how tenderly she intertwines their fingers. It's these moments, these stolen fragments of authenticity, that let him know he's not the only one who isn't faking this.

Killian pulls Emma into his arms, and for a fleeting moment, as the waves crash around them and the sun paints the sky with hues of orange and pink, he allows himself to forget about the danger that lurks in the shadows. The world narrows down to the sensation of Emma in his arms, the warmth of her body pressed against his and the intoxicating scent of her shampoo that invades his senses.

The illusion is shattered as one of the undercovers speaks into the earpiece, jolting Killian back to reality. With a sense of urgency, he wraps his arms around Emma, burying his face in her neck. Her hair tickles his cheek, and he inhales the delicate floral notes that cling to her skin, a scent that has become tantamount to her presence. 

Killian issues a low warning to Emma, his voice a mere whisper against her ear. "Don't turn around. There's a man moving at seven o'clock. Keep up the act, but if something goes wrong, if all hell breaks loose, run for the surf." He rests his hands gently on her waist as they stand in the water, feeling the rhythm of the waves swirling around their legs. He adopts a wider stance to maintain balance, positioning his feet on either side of hers.

He presses a tender kiss to her cheek just beneath her ear, his hands sliding down to her hips. Their eyes are locked in a heated gaze, and he wants so badly to kiss her lips. Another wave approaches, catching them off guard, and she instinctively reaches out to him for support, sensing the strain in his biceps. He plays his role convincingly, but beneath the surface, he's on high alert, ready to protect her at a second's notice.

Listening closely to the voices in his earpiece, Killian receives another message—"Not our guy." It was a false alarm, but he doesn't release his hold on Emma. Their hands remain in place, her fingers resting on his upper arms, his on her lower back.

He reaches out to brush a strand of hair away from Emma's face, his touch gentle and affectionate. "I'm going to kiss you now," he murmurs, his voice a soft promise. He leans in and kisses her, his tongue gently parting her lips.