I held her so tightly in my arms, kissed her forehead despite myself. “Are you okay, baby? Did they hurt you?”

Baby. That word hung heavy on my lips. I shouldn’t have called her that—I had no right to call her baby. She was only a mission, one of many hostages I had saved. She wasn’t my woman. I’d told her I wasn’t looking for anything serious. But holding her in my arms made me forget about all the reasons why I’d convinced myself I didn’t want a relationship. Separation, loneliness, stress. Those factors hadn’t changed. But maybe having Sara to come home to would make the struggle of loving someone while I worked a world away worth it.

She buried her face into my chest. “I’m fine now that you’re here. I hurt my ankle running and I’m bruised but they didn’t hurt me to where I couldn’t handle it. Maya?” Her voice was breathy and hopeful. “Did you find her? Is she okay?”

She looked up at me and I brushed back her newly shorter hair, unable to release her. Always so beautiful. “Yes, babe. She’s fine. Thanks to you. You saved her life. You saved both of your lives.”

She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. You did. You found us.”

On closer observation, I saw her face inflamed, and what appeared to be a damn handprint on her cheek. If I could have killed the bastards again I would have. I kissed her lips, knowing I shouldn’t, knowing I didn’t deserve this kiss. But I would earn the right to kiss her again. And then I’d kiss her any time I wanted. She exhaled when I released her lips. “We only found her because you sacrificed your life. You could’ve died. She told us about Denise.” I spoke of her deceased director so she understood the magnitude of what she’d been through. Then I gave her another kiss, this time on her head, then pulled myself away from her to get back to work.

“Pat, call for air rescue.” Pat grabbed his radio and stepped forward a few feet. I had no idea how long it would be until we were airlifted out of here. If the rest of the Teams were still searching for the other women, our command would not jeopardize their mission to get us. We could be here all night guarding Sara, but it didn’t matter. She would be safe as long as she was with us.

“Baby, I’m gonna carry you back to the truck. We should get word on rescue by then. Come here.” I didn’t wait for her to move. Every time the word “baby” came out my mouth she flashed me a pained look. As if I only used it out of guilt or pity. She was wrong.

I lifted her up and cradled her as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Neither of us said another word as I trekked toward the truck. She was so light and looked frail, but underneath all that she was a fighter. I was carrying her the way a man carried his bride, a thought that flashed through my head when I peered down at her slumbering form. Her eyes remained closed as she nuzzled against me, like if she were home. As if she could see me as her man. And I didn’t know if I deserved that. But we were not on some tropical honeymoon—we were in the middle of a potential war zone. I remained in the middle, the guys and Cuervo surrounding me, and watched my surroundings.

We were almost back to the truck when Pat approached me from behind. “Good news. The other girls were found in different parts of a nearby village. They are all safe. And Maya and the rest of the Team were picked up as well. Transport will be here soon for all of us. Say goodbye to Sara while you still have time, man.”

I stared down at her with such regret. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. I kept her tight in my arms, never wanting to let go. Let her sleep as I savored the brief moments I had left.

Once we arrived at the truck, I gave her some water and Vic checked her for injuries. I knew she said she was able to handle it, but I wasn’t taking any chances. She was dirty, sore, scratched, and bruised, but she was still as beautiful as ever.

Pat motioned to me and I knew I needed to talk to her before the helicopter approached and prevented us from having any sort of meaningful conversation.

“One helicopter will be sent for you and you will be taken to a hospital. Once you are safely aboard, another will come for us. I’m not going to be allowed to go with you to the hospital because I will need to be debriefed and available for another mission. But, Sara, I want you to know how sorry I am. I do want to be with you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I thought I knew best but then I almost lost you, and I’ve been kicking my own ass ever since.” A smirk appeared on her soft lips. “I’m going to get in touch with you as soon as I’m allowed to. It could be a while, but I need you to know that I’ll be thinking about you. And when I get back home to San Diego, I’m coming to find you. If you’ll have me.”

“I’d like that, Kyle. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I knew I shouldn’t be kissing a hostage, but I didn’t care. The air between us was liable to suffocate me if I didn’t kiss her. The rumble of the helicopter shook the earth and told me I only had minutes to say goodbye. My hand grasped the back of her head and I pulled her in for a long kiss. One that would have to last us till we were together again. As our lips met, I was so thankful for the opportunity to kiss her again. She kissed me back, and it felt like the best feeling in the world. She tasted incredible, like sweet freedom. Capturing her bottom lip, I sucked it gently and drew her near, our tongues stroking slow and seductive till her body melted onto mine. It was a crime to release her.

The helicopter hovered over us and I had to say goodbye. Fuck. I reluctantly pulled away and placed her in the arms of the Marine who’d been lowered down to grab her and take her safely inside. She gave a small wave and I winked at her. My baby. As Sara melted into the night, I vowed that I would do everything possible to attempt to start a real relationship with her. My fears be damned. I wanted her more. God brought us together for a reason. God spared her life. She was meant for me and I wasn’t going to squander another chance to be with her.