Tasha had assumed she would feel guilt for letting herself get caught up in old feelings but surprisingly enough she found herself falling back into old habits quickly as she began to realize that just maybe the man she fell in love with was still there.

Maybe.

After the two of them... finished, Rafe immediately went back to work, though he would casually touch Tasha's arm or kiss her cheek if she walked by him. Tasha didn't push him away, which Rafe was grateful for. He wanted her back, and while he knew that he shouldn't have just fucked her, he was certain that once he found the treasure things between them could go back to how they once were.

When Rafe got word that Nathan and Sam were in Scotland, he kept the information from Tasha. He knew it was wrong, but he also knew she wouldn't focus fully if she was busy worrying about the brothers she was so fond of.  

They always got in the way.

"You know, retracing your steps all night isn't helping anyone."

Rafe's tense shoulders relaxed slightly as Tasha draped her arms over them before leaning down so she was level with him. "Seriously, Rafe. You're exhausted. Just come to bed."

It was past midnight, and Rafe hadn't even had anything to eat since before their rendezvous earlier.

"I need to get this done." He replied flatly, ignoring his desire to be nothing but close to her. He wanted her clothes off — to feel her skin against his own — not only sexually, no, it went much deeper than that... but alas, he kept his resolve and instead sat up straighter as he began to read the paper in front of him.

"When was the last time you slept?" Tasha pouted her lips, removing her arms from his body only to push herself between his chair and his desk. Rafe seemed barely fazed by this, his glasses (a new addition Tasha highly adored) resting on the bridge of his nose as his eyes scanned the paper.

"I'll sleep when I'm finished." He replied, his voice faltering slightly when she pressed his knees apart slightly before she sat on his lap.

"We've been at this for hours! One nights sleep isn't going to make the treasure disappear."

Rafe inhaled deeply as he felt her move her ass against his crotch slightly. "Tasha—"

"Rafe." She replied, leaning back so she could look at him. His eyes finally left the paper in his hands, instead resting on her face curiously as she pulled off his glasses before setting the pair onto the desk — along with the paper he had been holding only moments before.

"Come to bed with me."

Rafe hesitated for a moment as she got off his lap, his eyes trailing after her before he let out a sigh. Tasha smiled at him when he finally stood next to her. She reached her hand up to cup his cheek, caressing his skin softly as she gazed into his eyes. He looked so exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes were more prominent than normal, his hair was a slight mess, but what she noticed more in that moment was the way his stony gaze softened as he looked at her, his hands moving to her waist.

Tasha leaned up, pressing her lips to his gently. It was at that moment she realized they hadn't kissed before this, and a warm, fuzzy feeling entered her entire being as she felt enchanted by his lips. They were chapped and dry, but she didn't mind. She smiled at him as she pulled away, but found him pulling her lips back to his once more. His hands trailed to her lower back as he deepened the kiss. It was slower than before — much more passionate, but there was fear as well — of what, she wasn't sure, all she knew was he was vulnerable.

Tasha pulled back from Rafe, leaving his embrace only to link her fingers with his, tugging him towards the bed. Rafe walked slowly behind as his mind was muddied by guilt and anger towards himself for ever letting her go. He should have fought harder for her. She was the only person in the world he loved, and he broke her. Yet here she was, comforting him, even after all the horrible things he put her through.

Tasha slowly let go of Rafe's hand, instead trailing her fingers down his arm. Goose bumps arose immediately, making her smile as she slowly peeled his shirt from his body. Rafe stood still, simply basking in her presence. Never was the silence uncomfortable, it was the closest thing to peace he had felt since Tasha had left him.

Tasha untied her shirt, pulling it over her head to lay in the pile that she started. Rafe's eyes gazed across her entire being as she pulled her shorts down before unzipping his jeans and tugging them down his leg. Gently, she pushed Rafe so he was sitting on the bed, then laying on it. She crawled on top of him, leaning down to press soft kisses to his jaw and neck.

Rafe let out a quiet moan when he felt her tug on his hair, gently pressing her hips against his. His cock twitched in his underwear as his hands found her waist, pulling her down harder onto him. Tasha licked at his neck, giggling when he moaned louder. She ground her hips against his erection, a soft mewl escaping her lips when she felt it rub against her clit, the only thing separating their bodies were his underwear now.

Rafe bucked his hips up against hers, causing another moan to leave her mouth. He moved his hands from her waist to his boxers, hastily pulling them down his legs before Tasha pushed him back against the bed once more. She crawled over him, grasping his warm, hard cock with her hand, the other resting against his chest.

"Sh-shit!" Rafe groaned as she rubbed him against her slit, smirking down at him as he tried to push into her. "Don't tease me."

Tasha pouted her lips playfully, leaning down to press opened mouth kisses to his neck and collarbone.

"Please. I — fuck, Tasha — I need you now." Rafe moaned quietly, his grip on her skin tight like a vice.

She felt her stomach tighten at his pleas, something she was definitely not used to. Tasha slowly began to sink down on his length until he was entirely engulfed by her wetness. Rafe nearly cried out, his hands holding her waist tightly as he stared, wide eyed at his lover as she began to move her hips.

"I know you're stressed. Let go, Rafe. I got you."

Rafe sat up, wrapping Tasha's legs around his waist as he began to thrust into her. He held her body tight against his, his fingers digging harshly into her sides. He knew she'd have countless bruises on her body, but he enjoyed knowing she was marked by him and only him.

"Rafe!" Tasha cried out, tugging on his hair harshly as her hips moved with his. She knew then that neither of them would last long, the pleasure was too great.

"I— fuck, I love you—" Rafe groaned as his thrusts became sporadic, her pussy milking him perfectly. He released himself as far into her as he could possibly get, holding her hip firmly to his.

The tent was dim now, the only light coming from the lamp lying next to the cot. Tasha ran her fingers through Rafe's hair, smiling slightly as she tried to memorize every detail she could of him in that moment.

He finally looked completely at peace.

"I was worried you might think I'm too old." He said quietly after a few minutes of silence as he held her closer, noticing how her eyes traced every feature he had.

"Never." Tasha promised, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. "You're perfect, Rafe. Besides, I don't know if you know this but you're still super fucking sexy." She ran her fingers along his toned body, before resting her hand above his heart. "I'll always love you, Rafe... no matter how hard I've tried not to, I just can't be without you."

•••