Page 180 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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His hand slides up my side.

I’m careful of his injury.

“Havoc,” I whisper again.

His breath hitches.

“Say my name again,” he murmurs against my lips.

I do.

And something in him breaks.

His restraint snaps.

The kiss turns hungrier.

Rougher.

Not careless.

Just real.

Like we’ve both been holding back too long.

My hands move to his shoulders—

Then pause.

“You’re hurt,” I say softly.

“I’ll live.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

He rests his forehead against mine.

Breathing hard.

“I know,” he says quietly.

And for a second—

We just stay there.

Connected.

Grounded.

Real.

Then his hand slides to my hip again.

Pulling me closer.

And this time—

I don’t hesitate.

Because this isn’t about what we should do.

It’s about what we already chose.

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