"How does it feel?" she asks, fingers probing around the wound.
"Like I got shot."
"Smart ass." Her touch lingers longer than necessary. "Any numbness? Tingling?"
"Just where you're touching me."
She meets my eyes, and something passes between us. Recognition of attraction we've been dancing around for weeks. Her hand rests on my bare chest, feeling my heartbeat.
"Eamon," she says quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For taking that bullet."
"Part of the job."
"No, it wasn't." Her thumb traces along my collarbone. "You threw yourself between me and that gunman without thinking. You could have died."
I did throw myself in front of her. Instinct overrode training, protection overrode self-preservation. That should worry me, but her touch makes it hard to think clearly.
"Someone has to watch out for you," I say.
"I can take care of myself."
"I know. I've seen you fight." I catch her hand with my good one. "Doesn't mean I'll stop trying to keep you safe."
Her fingers curl around mine. "Even though I'm supposed to be your enemy?"
"Especially then."
We stare at each other in the dim cabin light. Her lips part slightly, like she's considering something dangerous. The space between us charges with possibility.
Then she pulls back, professional mask sliding into place.
"You need rest," she says. "I'll take first watch."
I want to argue, but exhaustion wins. I fall asleep on the couch with Sorcha sitting across the room, gun within reach, watching monitors that show our perimeter.
When I wake hours later, she's moved closer. Close enough to check my breathing, my temperature. Her hand rests on my forehead, cool against my skin.
"How do you feel?" she asks.
"Like I want to kiss you."
The honest answer slips out before I can stop it. She freezes, hand still touching my face.
"Eamon—"
"I know. Wrong time, wrong situation, wrong everything." I sit up carefully. "But I can't stop thinking about it."
Her eyes search mine. "This complicates everything."
"Everything's already complicated." I reach up to cup her cheek. "One more complication won't kill us."
"The people shooting at us might."
"Then we better make the most of tonight."
