Page 122 of Nothing But Air

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Her hand found his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her palm. Strong. Steady. Alive. “Even though you’re bound to do something else reckless.”

“At least I’m finally being honest about it.”

“Progress.” She smiled despite herself. “We’re all works in progress.”

“So does that mean?—”

“It means I still want to kiss you. Even though you drive me crazy.”

“I drive you crazy?”

“Absolutely insane.”

“Good.” His grin was slow. Dangerous. “Mutual.”

Teague closed the distance between them.

His mouth found hers with an urgency that stole her breath. This wasn’t careful or tentative—not like their first kiss on the plateau, all golden light and gentle discovery. Not like the second that had a touch of hunger and desire. This was desperate relief and all the tension that had been building between them finally finding release.

Eden’s hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer. His arm tightened around her waist, lifting her slightly so she fit against him better—chest to chest, heartbeat to heartbeat.

The kiss deepened. Turned desperate.

Weeks of attraction and days of conflict combusting into something that made her forget where they were. Why they’d come out here. Everything except the way he kissed as if she were air and he’d been drowning.

When they finally broke apart—both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together—Teague’s voice was rough.

“We should probably?—”

“Check in.” Her voice came out shakier than she intended. “Let them know we found the map.”

“Right.” But neither of them moved. “Professional.”

“Very professional.”

“We’re excellent at professional.”

“The best.” She could feel him smiling against her temple.

“Eden.” His voice turned serious. “When we get out of this canyon?—”

“We’ll figure it out.” She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. “Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Teague’s smile was slow. Genuine. The kind that crinkled his eyes and made her stomach flip. Then he stepped back with visible reluctance and pulled out the radio.

“This is Teague Hamilton. Do you copy?”

Static crackled.

Then Xander’s voice came through—clear and urgent. “Teague! Thank goodness. We’ve been trying to reach you for hours. Where are you?”

Eden’s stomach clenched at the tone. Teague’s hand found hers, squeezing once.