Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Sixteen
Hope wiped a circle of condensation off of the mirror with her hand. Fresh from a steaming, hot, shower, she felt rejuvenated. A real shower after camping and traveling for weeks at a time was a luxurious treat. She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment. Everything she'd longed for the past couple of years was in her grasp. She was determined to stay focused. She was determined to think positive. She was determined to be strong, and she was determined to make up for her mistakes. She silently thanked God that Bo was so forgiving. She thanked him further that their love was strong enough to survive all the hurtles that kept coming their way. She wrapped her towel tighter around her chest and walked into the temporary bedroom she shared with Bo.
She found him sitting on the bed reading a book, "Hey. I didn't know you were in here."
He gave her an unreadable stare. She wasn't used to them, but this was the second night in a row that she'd seen one. She watched his eyes travel up and down her towel clad body, "I didn't really feel like being social."
Her eyes narrowed, "As a detective, you should know I can detect a lie when I hear one."
Bo sat up and swung his legs over the bed, "Maybe."
Hope walked around the bed and took a seat next to him. She reached for his hand, grasped it, and held it in her lap, "Bo, what's wrong?"
Bo shrugged. His jaw clenched, "I can't stand that there is a target on your back."
"We're in this together," Hope reminded, "There's also one on your back. Do you think I like that? We're safe right now. Everything is fine."
Bo shook his head, "It's never fine Hope. It's not fine until we are home, with our daughter, and no one else is trying to kill us."
Hope stared at their hands still entwined in her lap, "I promise I'll be careful. I won't do anything stupid. I can do this. You know I can."
Bo swallowed a swarm of emotion, "Last night…"
Hope offered a small smile when his voice trailed off. She squeezed his hand, lowering her head to look into his dark eyes, "What about last night?"
Bo sighed, "Last night was perfect. It was everything. I needed that. I've missed you so much. It still feels like a dream."
Hope caressed his cheek. She held his face and tilted his chin up, "It wasn't a dream Brady."
He searched her eyes, "Thinking about you kept me alive FancyFace. My motivation to get home to you is the only reason I survived. I didn't give up."
Hope almost gulped. She didn't like to think about the horror he'd been through. No matter what he said to make her feel differently, she always felt a twinge of guilt tug at her heart.
"This journey is going to be hard for me," Bo confessed, "I have no control. All I have is anxiety and fear for your safety. I'm sorry… if I get out of line… or controlling… or angry… I just…. I can't lose you Hope. I can't do it."
Hope felt tears well up in her eyes, "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Bo warned. His voice seemed full of pain and hurt.
Hope's jaw locked, "No one is taking me from you. I won't let them."
Bo kissed her hand that was still holding his. He loved her feisty determination. He prayed she was right. He prayed for her safety every night.
"I don't want to be divorced anymore," Hope watched his lips kiss her skin.
He looked up at her, "Me either. But then again, I never agreed to it."
Her eyes darkened as he gently pushed her backwards on the bed, "I wish I could take it back. I never should have filed."
"No, you shouldn't have," Bo teased in agreement as he crawled towards her. He unwrapped her from her towel like a present.
"Brady," Hope prompted seriously, now naked underneath him, "I'm serious."
"Are you proposing to me Hope Williams?" Bo asked as he left a trial of kisses up her neck.
Her groin tightened as he stirred the beginnings of arousal deep within her body, "That is not my name."
"You didn't drop mine?" Bo asked as he peered at her through desire filled eyes.
"Of course I didn't," Hope smacked his shoulder for emphasis.
Bo kissed her, claiming her lips in a domineering fashion. He would certainly make her his wife again, and soon, but right now he had other priorities. He had years of loving on her to make up for. She made him feel alive.
The way he commanded the bedroom was a complete turnaround from the night before. Hope was breathless. She didn't want it any other way. Marriage was an afterthought as he toured her body with his lips. She felt goosebumps erupting all over her skin as electricity brewed between her legs.
Bo stood, removed his clothes and mounted her again. Hope gulped as he stared deeply into her eyes. He entered her slowly, watching her face as a satisfied gasp left her lips. She closed her eyes, relishing the feeling of being back in his arms.
"No," Bo demanded quietly. Her eyes shot open. He caressed her face, "I want you to look at me."
She kept her eyes open as he began to thrust slowly into her. In that intimate moment, their connection was so powerful it brought tears to Hope's eyes. In that moment, her guilt and fear was erased. She felt filled with love and wrapped with forgiveness.
Bo felt his heart swell as he gazed deeply into the green eyes he'd loved for so long. As he made love to her, their souls reconnected in ways that words wouldn't allow. He never wanted to take her for granted again. His love for her made him feel so full, he wanted to burst. He also felt emotional. The pain, anguish, and fear dissipated. He'd made it back to her. Their separation had been agonizing for him. There was still a long journey ahead of them, but one day they would be home. One day they would be safe. He kissed her, desire and longing driving him to need more of her.
One day the danger would stop following them. In the meantime, he vowed to do everything in his power to protect her no matter what it cost him.