HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 10

The Kiss

Lia and Ethan stared down at the unconscious stranger. Adrenaline surged through Lia as she gripped her knife, her eyes darting around the clearing. The tension from their earlier encounter hung heavy in the air.

"What are we going to do with him?" Lia whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she glanced at Ethan.

"Relax. He's unconscious," Ethan replied calmly, gently touching her arm to soothe her nerves. "We need to find out who he is."

Lia nodded, but her grip on the knife remained tight. "But what if he has others with him? It could be dangerous."

Ethan scanned the clearing, ensuring there were no immediate threats. "We can't just leave him here."

"Okay," Lia agreed reluctantly, finally lowering her knife. "But let's be quick. He might wake up."

They carefully moved the stranger to a more secure spot under the shade of a tree. Ethan checked his pulse and confirmed he was alive but still out cold. Lia remained vigilant, her gaze sweeping their surroundings.

"We've bought ourselves some time," Ethan said, standing up. "But we need to talk."

Lia caught his gaze and saw his anxiety. "What do you want to talk about?"

Ethan took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Earlier..."

"Earlier?" Lia snapped, crossing her arms defensively. "If you're referring to the moment when I..."

Ethan wrapped his arms around Lia's waist, pulling her close until their bodies pressed together, preventing her from finishing her sentence.

"What are you planning?" Lia asked, her heart racing as she sensed where this was heading.

"Earlier, when you were fighting him," Ethan replied softly. "I saw something. You don't have to hide it from me."

Lia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. Whatever you think you saw..."

Lia stopped as Ethan approached and stared at her. "You have feelings for me."

They stood still, his words hanging in the air. After the trees disappeared, they were alone in a bubble of tension and unsaid feelings.

"You're assuming," Lia began, but her voice faltered as she tried to push Ethan away. He hugged her, and the look on her lips made her anxious. "Ethan, you know what I'm capable of."

"Shh," Ethan whispered, bringing his face closer. "It's okay. Just breathe."

Lia took a shaky breath, feeling the warmth of his hand grounding her. Their connection felt almost physical—a thread pulling them closer together. She lost herself in Ethan's piercing stare, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Ethan moved closer, their faces mere inches apart. Lia could feel his breath on her lips, her mind racing with anticipation and fear. His hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. The contact sent shivers down her spine and weakened her resolve.

"I've wanted to do this since the moment I saw you," Ethan murmured, his voice low and soothing. "If I don't do this now, I might go crazy."

Finally, Ethan closed the distance. As his lips hovered just above hers, Lia's eyes fluttered shut.

She pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against his. She could feel his warm, steady breath against her skin. "Ethan, what are..."

Before she could finish, Ethan kissed her again, silencing her with a kiss that spoke volumes. It was filled with promises and unspoken words, conveying everything she needed to know.