The mission had been brutal. Smoke choked the valley, flames devoured everything in sight, and you and Rob had barely made it out alive. You were both covered in soot, your clothes scorched at the edges, hair sticking to your sweat-slicked skin. But the worst was over—or at least that’s what you kept telling yourself.

Rob sat a few feet away, catching his breath, staring at the distant glow of the fire still consuming the hills. He didn’t say anything at first, just wiped the ash from his face, his hands trembling slightly.

“You okay?” you asked softly, sliding down onto the hood of the truck beside him.

He exhaled slowly, tension easing out of his shoulders. “Yeah… yeah, thanks to you.” His gaze flicked toward you, lingering longer than necessary, and your chest skipped a beat. That look—full of gratitude, relief, and something else—made your stomach tighten.

“You were amazing out there,” you said, brushing a smudge of soot from his cheek. Your fingers lingered just a moment too long, and you could feel his pulse quicken under your touch.

He swallowed, eyes darkening. “I… I couldn’t have done it without you.”

A quiet fell between you, the roar of the fire behind you fading into the background. His hand hovered near yours, as if unsure whether to move closer. Your own hand twitched, wanting to bridge the space, wanting to lean into him.

And then, somehow, instinct took over. Your faces drew nearer. Neither of you spoke. The world had narrowed to just the two of you, the adrenaline from the mission still coursing through your veins. And then—soft, tentative, electric—your lips met.

It was brief, but it carried everything you hadn’t said: relief, desire, and a connection that had been building silently for months. You pulled back slightly, breathless, heart pounding.

Rob’s eyes searched yours, conflicted, torn. You both knew he was married. That reality hung heavy in the air, but neither of you could deny the spark, the heat that had ignited despite the danger, despite the rules.

“I—” he started, then shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t… we can’t—”