As soon as we are back in nature, the scent of early morning dew and damp soil infiltrates my nose.
It’s amazing here.
Taking in my surroundings, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of nature: rich, emerald-green trees dappled with sunlight stand tall as far as the eye can see.
The distinct ripple of a nearby stream echoes around me.
I close my eyes and inhale deeply, trying to remember this moment forever.
“Come on. I wanted to take you somewhere.” Gideon takes my hand in his.
It feels like the world around us melts away. Our fingers interlock perfectly, like puzzle pieces meant to fit together. His touch is gentle and light, yet strong with assurance as I follow him.
It takes a few minutes to arrive at our destination, and when we do, I look up into his eyes and see him looking down at me. He smiles, and I feel my heart skip a beat.
We stand in silence for a few seconds. A gentle breeze that caresses my face. Finally, he drops my hand, and the moment he does, I miss his warm touch.
You’ve got it bad, Sasha.
“What are we doing here?”
Gideon turns to face me. There is a line between his brows. “I want to teach you how to shoot a gun.”
“What? No.” I shake my head back and forth.
“Sasha.”
“No, Gideon. How can you think I’d—”
“Firefly.” His hand reaches out and touches a piece of hair that fell forward. He places it behind my ear. “Someone is looking for you. I need to know you can defend yourself.”
“But a gun—”
“Against these types of men, unfortunately, a gun is the only thing that might keep you alive.”
“You’ll keep me alive,” I whisper, and I realize in my heart I believe that.
His gaze drops. “I might not always be there.” There is something sad in the way he says it, and it makes my heart lurch.
“Okay.” I roll my shoulders. “Teach me.”
Gideon reaches his hand behind his back. “This is a Glock.” He lifts it up, the black and metal gleaming up at me.
“I don’t know if I can do this.” My jaw trembles. I can’t shoot a gun. This isn’t who I am.
“It could be the difference between life and death, firefly.”
His words hit me square in the stomach. He’s right. It could be. With the threat looming, it’s highly likely it will be.
Gideon steps behind me, and then his free hands are touching my body. The air is heavy, and my heart beats frantically as he manipulates my arms to be in the correct position.
Once I’m in place, it feels hard to breathe. His body is so close, I can feel the heat radiating off him.
I feel warm and tingly.
“Now I want you to look at the tree. That’s your target.”
“Okay,” I breathe out, and my voice sounds husky with want. He’s too close, and I can’t think straight. I try to push away the thoughts of his touch, of the way he brackets me to him.