Page 31 of Duty and Desire
“Well, let me back in then. I want that too, Ros. What makes you think I don’t?”
“But I can’t. I’m scared, Scarlett. I’ve been so scared since I found you. Scared of losing you. Scared of you not coming back from action. Scared of losing you to another. Scared of you being transferred somewhere I can’t follow.”
“I was scared, too, Ros. Fuck, I was terrified you wouldn’t come back as I watched your chopper grow as small as a speck on the horizon. But bravery isn’t not being scared; it’s being terrified but still charging ahead. You don’t need to be scared alone. I’m here with you.”
Ros closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of Scarlett’s touch, the sincerity in her words. The love she felt was like a wave crashing over her, threatening to sweep her away. She had been so determined to do the right thing, to follow the rules, but now? Now she wasn’t sure what the right thing even was.
Ros opened her eyes, meeting Scarlett’s gaze. “You’re right,” she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ve been so scared of losing control and breaking the rules that I almost lost sight of what truly matters. You.”
Scarlett’s breath hitched, her eyes searching Ros's face. “Then don’t let me go,” she pleaded. “Not because of fear or duty or anything else. Hold on to me, and let’s find a way through this together.”
Ros felt tears sting her eyes, a mix of fear, love, and hope swelling within her. She took a step closer, cupping Scarlett’s face with her hands, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her fingertips. “I don’t want to lose you,” she confessed, her voice raw. “But I don’t know how to do this without…”
Scarlett leaned in, her forehead resting against Ros’s. “We figure it out,” she whispered. “One step at a time. We take the risk, and we fight for what we have.”
Ros let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on her. She knew this wasn’t an easy path; it was the hardest choice she’d ever have to make. But as she looked into Scarlett’s wide warm hazel eyes, she felt a flicker of something she hadn’t felt in so long: hope.
Ros stepped forward, gently picking up Scarlett’s hand, which had been hanging limply at her side, her nails biting into the flesh of her palms. She raised it slowly, bringing Scarlett to her side. Ever so gently, she tilted her chin up to meet her gaze.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and before Scarlett could begin to form a reply captured her soft lips with her own. For the first time, Ros had been brave, brave enough to choose Scarlett, their kiss, their love.
Scarlett’s lips were still salty from tears, her face still flushed with anger, her hair matted. And yet, she was the most beautiful Ros had ever seen her.
A spark of hope danced across Scarlett’s hazel eyes, filling them with the light of life that had left them when Ros had ended their relationship. Scarlett eased into the kiss, relaxing into Ros’s embrace.
Though Ros was glad Scarlett seemed to have forgiven her, she knew she needed to re-earn the trust that had been shattered. She could see that Scarlett hadn’t been taking care of herself over the last several days, and while Scarlett had been the courageous one to confront her and reignite the spark between them, it was time for Ros to care for Scarlett.
She pulled back from the embrace and leaned down, planting a final reassuring kiss on her forehead. With a soft, gentle smile on her face, she pulled Scarlett toward the bedroom.
“You look like death warmed over, love. Let’s get you some rest.”
Scarlett allowed herself to be tugged along.
Leaving Scarlett next to the bed, Ros slipped into the bathroom, flicking on the shower before returning.
“That’ll take some time to heat up.”
“What?”
“Shh, it’s okay. You need to look after yourself, which you obviously haven’t been doing. So, I’m going to help you. And then you’re going to sleep. You need it.”
Softly, delicately, she began to peel away the layers of Scarlett’s uniform. Jacket, shirt, pants, underwear. Each was folded neatly and piled against the wall.
Once Scarlett was undressed, she shrugged off her own clothes and led Scarlett into the now steaming shower. The air was heavy with moisture, and the mirror and glass shower panes fogged.
The scalding water felt cleansing against her skin as Ros stepped under the spray of water, pulling Scarlett in behind her. Soaped wash cloth in hand, she rubbed sudsy circles along themuscled planes of Scarlett’s back, laying kisses along her skin where the water had washed away the bubbles.
Across her shoulders, down each arm, and down each leg. Along her toned stomach, her perfect breasts, every circle tender and caring.
And then washing her lovely hair, dark from the water, lathering it tenderly with shampoo, then rinsing the shampoo off.
Once clean, Ros pulled Scarlett down to sit on the floor of the shower with her. She propped herself up against the wall and drew Scarlett to sit between her splayed legs with her back pressed against her own breasts. Scarlett’s hair, now sopping wet, was soft against her skin. She massaged the thick conditioner into the red locks, fingers kneading Scarlett’s scalp and running down to the strands’ ends. Taking care not to snag or tug, Ros brushed each tangle, kissing along her neck and whispering calming words into her ears. By the time she was done, she could see that Scarlett was fighting sleep.
Dry and wrapped in a fluffy towel, Ros led Scarlett over to the bed then lifted her reverently and placed her on the mattress. “Ros, what?” She mumbled as sleep slowly overtook her.
“You seem tense, love. Just lie there. I’ll help you relax.” She laid a kiss atop Scarlett’s forehead before making her way around the bed frame to her nightstand.
Warming the slick massage oil between her hands, Ros returned to Scarlett’s side.