Free The Last Kiss by M. R. Murphy Page A

color of a deep forest after rain would be a sure sign she had been crying. “Beautiful,” he murmured.
    “Starving. I could polish off a whole cow if it was on my plate right now!” Relishing the idea of a plate of hot food, she pulled free a couple of plates, and slid free the silverware. “Coffee?” she offered.
    “Sure.” He pressed his lips to hers, unable to get enough of her sweet taste. Before Raeve even touched the ‘on’ button to the coffee maker, he pulled her back into a crushing embrace, wrapping his arms around her. His lips captured the soft dewy skin below her ear, inhaling her sweet clean scent deeply.
    “Love you,” he whispered, his lips a soft caress against her silky skin.
    Her smile finally lifted to reach her eyes, and relief washed over him as she slid her arms around his neck. The wet tendrils of her hair clung to his skin, still dripping cool droplets. “Do you now?” she quipped “How much?”
    Aidan didn't hesitate to answer. “From here to the moon and back again,” he spoke confidently, “and you?”
    Gazing up to him, the twist in her lip gave him the feeling whatever she was about to say, she was going to expect a heavier reply. “Always until eternity,” she whispered, before pecking a kiss on the curve of his jaw. It was all the answer he could hope for. He tightened his hold on her, needing to feel her pressed against him as he stored away another memory for the long drawn out days and nights that awaited him.
    “Uh, babe...” Raeve looked at the eggs sizzling in the pan. The subtle smell of burnt eggs began to filter through the kitchen. “Um, I think the eggs are done.”
    “Shit.” Reluctantly he released her. His stomach growled as he appraised the bacon and buttered the toast. “How's that coffee coming, babe?” he asked while cocking his brow.
    Her cheeks lit up with a fresh pink blush as she hit the on button.
    “Just about ready.” Slapping his ass, Raeve sidled around him to pull free two coffee cups, secretly praying he wouldn't return the favor. Rubbing her buttcheek, she still felt the sting of his last smack.
     
     
    ***
     
    Raeve spent the better part of the day trying to hold her composure and to not shatter into a million pieces as the day waned and the moon peeked out against the velvet black sky. It was a fight she prayed she wouldn’t lose, but with each passing hour, the knot in her stomach grew. The hours spent hiking South Mountain passed too quickly as Aidan taught her new survival techniques for those 'just in case' scenarios. It was the simple pleasure of walking and climbing the ridges and inclines, just passing the time with him, that meant the world to her. As dusk slowly fell, Raeve nestled in close to him, watching the sun setting over the cityscape. She wished time could stop, for just a while.
    “Sweetheart, we should probably get down the mountain before it gets too dark to see the trail.”
    She hated to admit it, but he was right.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Aidan sent her into the bathroom to clean up and nurse the scrapes from her unintended skid down a small rock face. Gingerly patting the abrasions, Raeve glanced back up at him sheepishly, while Aidan prepared bandages.
    “Damn! What is wrong with me?” Her complaint was one she voiced often. “Such a friggin' klutz.”
    “Yes, but it’s all part of your charm, sweetheart.” Winking back at her, Aidan couldn't help but laugh at her frustration. He’d seen it too many times.
    “Jeeeeezus, I'm a perpetual, professional example of Murphy's Law. Maybe you should cover me in bubble wrap before you leave me.” Aidan watched as she instantly regretted what she had said. The recognition in her eyes of those four little words, 'before you leave me’ shot a dark sadness through her hazel-green eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.”
    “I know what you meant. You know why I have to go, right?” His eyes locked on to hers, all playfulness gone, the depth of his words drank