The library was never where Nora expected to find trouble, yet there it was, dressed in a worn leather jacket and wearing a smirk that practically screamed overconfident.
Carlos Morales, she later learned, was the kind of man who believed rules were made to be broken, maps were meant to be followed, and women were meant to be charmed.
Their first encounter was over The Secrets of Lost Empires, a fragile tome she had painstakingly reserved weeks ago. Yet, there he was, flipping its yellowed pages with reckless abandon like it was the morning newspaper.
“Excuse me,” she snapped, narrowing her green eyes. “That book’s reserved. For me.”
Carlos looked up from his hunched position over the table, all dark curls and a grin sharp enough to get her blood boiling. “I don’t see your name on it.”
“It’s right there,” she replied icily, pointing to the Reserved sticker.
Carlos set the book down slowly, amusement glinting in his brown eyes. “Someone’s territorial.”
“Someone’s in my way.”
He tilted his head, clearly enjoying himself. “You’re after the Lurian Treasure, aren’t you?”
Nora froze. Her silence was all the confirmation he needed.
“You don’t look like the treasure-hunting type,” Carlos added, leaning forward. “But here we are.”
“And you don’t look like someone who can read,” she shot back.
Carlos chuckled, unbothered. “You’ve got a sharp tongue, señorita. I like that.”
She grabbed the book, narrowing her eyes. “I work alone.”
Carlos watched her walk away, a plan already forming in his mind.
First Clash at the Bar
Nora liked bars because they were noisy and anonymous—good places to think and good places to hide. Unfortunately, fate, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.
“You’re stalking me now, señorita?”
The voice sent a jolt of irritation through her. Nora turned her head to see Carlos sliding onto the stool beside her. He was holding a glass of whiskey, his lazy grin fully intact.
“Stalking you?” she said, arching an eyebrow. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
Carlos chuckled. “Just coincidence, then?”
She didn’t reply, focusing on her drink. But he didn’t let up.
“Look,” he started, his voice lower now. “We both know why you were reading that book.”
“Do we?”
“I’ve got half a map,” he continued, ignoring her sarcasm. “And you’ve clearly got the brains to figure out the rest. We team up—fifty-fifty split.”
Nora gave him a flat look. “You must be joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Yes.”
Carlos smirked, undeterred. “You don’t trust me yet. I get it. But think about it—how much closer are you to finding the treasure alone?”
Nora stiffened. She hated that he was right. Weeks of research had led to dead ends, and this idiot—charming as he was—might actually be holding a real piece of the puzzle.
“Fine,” she said finally, glaring at him. “But only because I need that map. Don’t get in my way.”
Carlos grinned, raising his glass. “To our partnership.”
She muttered into her drink, “To my impending regret.”
Into the Jungle
The trek through Central America was grueling. The heat was unbearable, the air sticky, and Carlos—well, Carlos was the biggest irritation of all.
“Shortcut,” he said confidently, leading them through dense jungle underbrush.
Nora stumbled over a vine, barely catching herself. “This isn’t a shortcut. This is an ambush zone.”
“Relax,” Carlos said over his shoulder, brushing leaves out of his path. “You’re safe with me.”
“Famous last words,” Nora muttered.
But despite her annoyance, she had to admit he was capable. Carlos set up their tents, started fires, and always had food ready when Nora’s energy faltered.
One evening, as the jungle quieted under a blanket of stars, Nora sat by the fire, poring over their map. Carlos watched her from across the flames, a thoughtful look on his face.
“Why do you want the treasure so badly?” he asked softly.
Nora didn’t look up. “Why does anyone?”
“Gold? Fame?” he pressed. “Or is it something else?”
She sighed, finally meeting his gaze. “I want to prove that it’s real. That I’m right.”
Carlos smiled faintly. “You’ve got a lot to prove, huh?”
“Don’t you?”
Carlos shrugged. “I’m just here for the thrill. Gold’s a nice bonus.”
“You’re a reckless fool,” she said, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
“And yet, here you are.”
Their eyes met across the fire. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Carlos stood, moving to sit beside her.
“You’re impossible,” Nora muttered, though she didn’t move away.
Carlos grinned. “You like me a little. Admit it.”
Nora glared at him, but the heat from his proximity made her cheeks warm. “Not even close.”
But she didn’t stop him when he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered a beat too long against her skin, and her breath caught.
“Liar,” Carlos whispered, his voice rough.
When Everything Changes
The ruins were breathtaking. Stone walls covered in ancient carvings stretched high into the jungle canopy, vines twisting through cracks like nature’s reclamation.
“This is it,” Nora whispered.
They moved cautiously through the crumbling corridors, flashlights cutting through the shadows. At the heart of the ruins lay a chamber, its walls etched with symbols, its floor scattered with gold coins and glittering jewels.
Carlos let out a low whistle. “We found it.”
Nora’s knees felt weak as she stared at the treasure, the weight of years of research hitting her all at once. “I can’t believe it.”
Carlos turned to her, his grin softening. “You did it, Nora.”
You. The way he said it sent warmth flooding through her. Before she could reply, though, a faint click echoed through the chamber.
Nora froze. “Did you hear that?”
Carlos’s face fell. “Trap.”
The walls began to rumble, dust falling from the ceiling. Nora grabbed Carlos’s hand, yanking him toward the exit as stone slabs began crashing to the ground behind them.
“Move!” Carlos shouted, pulling her faster.
They sprinted through the collapsing ruins, leaping over cracks and dodging debris. A stone wall shattered behind them, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Nora tripped, her ankle twisting as she fell hard to the ground.
Carlos was there instantly, scooping her up into his arms without hesitation. “I’ve got you.”
“I can run—”
“Shut up,” he muttered, his jaw set.
They dove through the last open archway, collapsing onto the grass outside just as the ruins sealed shut behind them.
For a moment, they lay in a heap, both panting, covered in dirt and sweat.
Carlos looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You okay?”
Nora blinked up at him, her pulse roaring in her ears. “You saved me.”
His eyes softened. “Of course I did.”
The world felt strangely quiet. Carlos’s face hovered inches from hers, his hand still on her cheek. Nora’s heart stuttered as he leaned down, his lips brushing against hers softly at first, testing.
When she didn’t pull away, he kissed her again, deeper this time, his hand tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer. Nora felt herself melting into him, her arms sliding around his neck.
When they broke apart, Carlos rested his forehead against hers, his voice rough. “I’m not letting you out of my sight, señorita.”
Nora’s cheeks flushed, though she couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you’re still here.”
The Aftermath
The treasure was safe—secured in their packs and ready for transport. As they sat together on a hillside, watching the jungle stretch endlessly before them, Nora leaned her head against Carlos’s shoulder.
“What happens now?” she asked softly.
Carlos turned his head, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We split the treasure.”
“And after that?”
Carlos’s smile softened. “After that, we find another adventure. Together.”
Nora didn’t argue. For the first time in years, she wasn’t alone—and, for once, she didn’t want to be.
Carlos squeezed her hand. “Told you we made a good team.”
“You’re lucky I haven’t buried you in the jungle,” she replied, though her voice held no malice.
Carlos chuckled, pulling her closer. “Face it, señorita, you like having me around.”
And this time, Nora didn’t deny it.
The End.