Chapter 30

As Hannah shifted restlessly in her sleep, Myles adjusted, tucking her close, subconsciously longing to comfort her. When her hand skimmed nervously across his chest and came to rest there as if seeking his warmth, he felt a tremor of tenderness that ran through his entire body and ended at his heart.

As his hand stroked aimlessly up and down her back, Myles couldn't help but think of how much everything had changed for them since they'd met. He shuddered as he recalled an earlier time when he'd held her, how still and pale she'd been in his arms. Feeling his stomach cramp at the memory, he pulled her closer, comforting himself with her presence.

Laying a light fingertip on her cheek, he surveyed the captivating woman asleep on his shoulder, marveling at the way the early morning sun danced in the highlights of her dark hair. 'Sometimes beauty is found in the most unlikely places…' Myles had heard that quote many times before, but never had it hit home until now.

They'd been buried alive, shot at, and forced to hide, so Myles wasn't completely surprised that his feelings were somewhat warmer toward her. Circumstances like this usually brought out unusual levels of caring; he knew that all too well from his training with the Bureau. But, as he held the brunette agent in his arms, he couldn't envision anywhere else that he'd rather be, and he knew it wasn't all because of the situation.

"Shhh," he crooned softly as she struggled with some tormenting demon haunting her sleep. "Shhh, it's just a dream," he told her, watching as Hannah's eyes snapped open in a panic.

"I, uh,…" Hannah stammered, her face clouded with remnants of sleep as she slowly processed where they were. "It seemed so real!" she stated, almost breathlessly, tilting her face up towards his as she snuggled closer.

Mesmerizing! Myles gasped silently, unable to find any other word to describe it as her eyes locked unseeingly on his. A vibrant green around the edges, they darkened to almost a chocolate brown in the center. Unlike anything he'd ever seen before, he found himself drawn to them, unable to move or even to speak. The only thought in his mind, he could do nothing but follow it.

Cupping his hand on the back of her head, Myles drew her to him, brushing her lips with soft lingering kisses. Hannah sighed against him as his lips drifted over hers, their closeness generating ripples of electricity in the room.

The air crackled with energy around them as she arched closer. Heat surged through him as Myles crushed his mouth to hers, molding her against him as he gave in to his passions. He could never have imagined that what had begun as a simple kiss would cause so much havoc on his emotions. Whatever pain there had been was swept away in her presence.

Hannah returned the embrace, uncertain but unafraid, her innocence inhibiting her efforts to keep up, but trusting him enough to let him lead. Savoring the joy of simply being this close, this connected, she relaxed into him, never wanting the moment to end.

- - -

From the door, Ruth Bergeron smiled happily. While she was concerned about their health, after how tired and drained they'd appeared last night, she knew they had exactly what they needed in each other.

Il a lieu au sujet de temps, Myles, mon cher. Elle est parfaite pour vous, Ruth thought, her matchmaking skills already in high gear. Cependant des regards de ceci, je ne pense pas qu'il prendra beaucoup pour convaincre l'un ou l'autre de vous, she grinned, slowly pulling the door shut behind her, allowing them their privacy.

French Translation:
"It's about time, Myles, my dear. She's perfect for you,"
"And from the look of things, I don't think it will take much to convince either of you."