As Snuffles wriggled in her arms, Athena caught the glimmer of joy on Flash’s face and felt a pang of wonder. Love like this was rare—bright, risky, but full of promise. She wasn’t just visiting a home. She was stepping into a future.
When Snuffles squirmed wildly, Athena set her down to run greet Flash. She loved the easy way Flash lifted the puppy, the bright smile that shone from her face every time she beheld her dog. There was so much love in her, love she was willing to share, no matter the risks.
“What do you mean, you need to go out?” Flash play-scowled at Snuffles, drawing another laugh from Athena.
“Take her.” Her eyes radiated a seductive promise. “I’ll just make myself comfortable until you return.”
Flash met her gaze with beguiling pleasure. “We’ll be right back.”
Athena appreciated Flash’s loft even more the second time around, enveloped by woodsy, earthy scents infused with a whiff of citrus. The décor showcased a singular blend of masculine and feminine touches—the trophy axe, industrial brick wall, walnut cabinets, succulent aloe plant, cute ceramic cat, and bright rainbow flag. Her sheets—probably bamboo—were cool against Athena’s bare skin as she slipped between them, fantasizing about the delights soon to unfold. She reveled in being in Flash’s space.
The door clicked and Flash rang out, “We’re back!” After a pause, followed a puzzled, “Athena?”
Snuffleszoomed into the bedroom, sprang onto the bed, and pounced on Athena’s chest, lavishing her with puppy kisses. Athena mounted a halfhearted attempt at warding them off.
“Oh, there you are.”
When Flash’s lanky frame filled the doorway, Athena’s breath hitched at the sight—her sculpted torso framed by the open shirt, strength and softness in effortless balance.
“Well, I told you I’d make myself comfortable,” Athena purred, stroking a hand along the outside of the top sheet.
A tantalizing luminescence shone in Flash’s tawny eyes. Athena’s heart caught in her throat under the heat of her gaze.
“Snuffles, foot.” Flash directed a commanding point at the foot of the bed. After one last lick, the black and white bundle of joy slunk down Athena’s body, curling into a ball at the far end of the bed.
The shirt slipped from Flash’s muscled shoulders to the floor as she strolled slowly into the room. Kicking off her Skechers, the shorts were the next to go. Athena’s gaze followed the graceful line of Flash’s legs, savoring the slow reveal as each layer fell away.
Flash’s gaze never wavered, only intensified, as she discarded a gray sports bra and black boxers in a trail of cotton clothing dotting the floor. “You are so beautiful.” The words spilled from Athena’s lips with awe.
Smiling, Flash slid under the sheet beside her. “Physically fit, perhaps, but you are the beautiful one here.” She stroked the line of Athena’s jaw, leaning in for a first taste from her lips.
“Strong body, beautiful soul,” Athena amended as her fingers danced over her firefighter’s flesh. “I know your instinct is to keep me safe, but I need to do the same for you.”
“You have.”
“I protected your life,” Athena conceded. “Now, let me protect your heart.”
Flash moaned as she pulled Athena closer, wrapping her in a firm embrace. Slipping a leg between her thighs, Flash murmured, “I’m all yours, heart included.”
The lastvestige of Athena’s defensive ramparts crumbled to dust. She held Flash close, surrendering to the rush of sensation and the fierce, tender ache of belonging.
Tossing inhibitions to the wind, she engaged Flash unfiltered, freer than ever in her life—no fears, no reservations, only the intimacy of two souls connecting through the intoxicating dance of sensual pleasures and passionate emotions. Every kiss, every touch stirred something deep within her—until her body arched, her spirit soared, and a galaxy of stars burst behind her closed eyes. In that instant, Athena vowed she’d do whatever it took to keep Flash right here, in her arms, as long as they both might live.
Enraptured, Athena breathed, “Flash, I love you so much. I’ll never leave you, never give up on us. Please believe me.”
“I do, my love,” she returned gently. Flash’s fingers pushed back a strand of Athena’s long hair, her knuckles brushing her cheek. “I love you more than words, and I’m not going anywhere. When we get old and wrinkly—ifwe get old and wrinkly,” she added with a playful smirk, “I’ll still look at you and see the most beautiful woman in the world, the one I love and adore.”
A thought flickered through Athena’s mind—she would be old and wrinkly long before Flash. Too blissful to give it voice, she pulled her lover’s head down until their lips touched and kissed her.
Chapter 18
The next morning
Athena’s heels clipped across the floor as she entered the situation room, pleased to find all her agents hard at work. Her high from last night hadn’t worn off, and she hoped none of them would detect a glow.
“How’d the meeting with the task force go?” asked Shoops, whose desk was nearest the entrance.
“We’re all on the same page,” she stated, placing a stack of folders on Karen’s already cluttered desk—a unicorn pencil holder?Athena cocked a brow at the cutesy personal item but refrained from banning it from the FBI building.
