We pile into the back of a pickup truck, concealed beneath a tattered canvas. The road is bumpy, rattling our bones. Zach and Marta ride up front, while Ramirez's men follow in another vehicle.
Halfway through the journey, the truck grinds to a stop, engine ticking in the stillness. Something about a checkpoint up ahead, the driver curses. Elena and I crouch under the canvas in near-darkness, hearts pounding.
I feel her breath against my ear. "It's so hot," she whispers, sweat trickling down her temple. The sweltering air under the tarp only amplifies the throbbing tension between us. My arm wraps around her waist, steadying her on the uneven truck bed.
The driver steps away, conferring with someone outside. We're alone, hidden from prying eyes. The adrenaline and claustrophobic darkness push my senses to the edge. Elena's fingers curl into my shirt. Our mouths find each other in a feverish kiss, fueled by fear and desire. It's quick, messy—teeth clacking, tongues tangling in raw need. My hand slides up her thigh, the heat of her skin searing me through thin fabric.
She makes a soft, stifled moan, but before things escalate further, the truck lurches. We nearly topple over. Harsh voices outside signal we're moving again. We part, panting, hearts roaring. The stolen moment leaves us both trembling.