“Shit, she doesn’t have a stitch to her name,” I cuss out into the empty room.
Walking passed the chest that holds my work clothes, I hesitate to open the other one. When I closed this the last time, I was walking away from that life and the responsibilities that come with my name, but this isn’t about me. Opening it, the smell of cologne and old memories assault me.
Refusing to dwell on the past, I hurry up and grab the first shirt I see, then a pair of woolen socks. Slamming the lid down, I push the memories away as I return to Eliza’s room and mynew wife. That phrase is going to take some something to get used to, that’s for sure. Back north, I was highly sought out by matchmaking mothers, but here the women normally run in the other direction.
Knocking on the door, I wait to see if she’ll respond. I should have known she wouldn’t. Slowly opening it, I peek in, only to see she has not moved. “I brought you some clothes and socks to put on until I can get you something more appropriate. Are you ready to get out?”
Still nothing. With a heavy sigh, I lower myself down beside the tub, my knees popping, immediately letting me know how uncomfortable they’re going to feel on this hard floor. Smoothing the now damp hair off her face, I tilt her chin up, making her look at me.
“What’s your name?” There’s no reason for her to know that I already know it. Damaged, scared, and wary eyes look at me, and for a moment, I don’t think she is going to answer me.
“Lauren Grace Skye.”
I can’t help but smile when I realize she has given me her maiden name. “If you don’t already know it, my name is Grant Lucas Hayes, and you’re safe here. No one is ever going to hurt you again and that includes me. I know those are just empty words that more than likely you’ve heard before, but time will prove they are true and spoken from the heart.”
“What do you want from me?”
I had to strain to hear her small voice. “Nothing. You are as big a shock to me as I am to you. If you want to know why I bought you, I don’t really have an answer. I just knew I could not walk away and let someone destroy the light in your eyes. I am a reasonable man until pushed, but I have never laid a hand on a woman. It’s inevitable that I will growl, snarl and roar sometimes, but you are never in danger from any of my temper tantrums.
Now, I am a tad bit messy as I’m sure you saw all around you earlier. I also tend to forget to eat, especially when I come out of the mine. Usually, I’m just too tired to care after a long day underground. My clothes, all of the bedding, and most of this cabin are dirty. Not to mention the eggs go bad because I forget to collect them, and I’m tired of fighting with Blue, that’s my rooster. I need your help and hopefully, your companionship. It sure gets quiet out here day after day, and it would be nice to have someone to share a meal or a cup of coffee with. In return, you’ll receive a warm home, appropriate clothing, and my protection. Hopefully, in time, we will at least become friends.I know we are married and most men would take advantage of that title, or what they think it implies, but that will never happen with me.
I am a large man and many are terrified of me. In most cases, I am comfortable with that, but in your case, I’m not. I know I scared you earlier when I told you to strip, and I ask your forgiveness for that. Your injuries and the marks on your body infuriated me, and it’s taking everything I have not to ride back to town and beat the life out of the one who did this to you.
I want you to see me as your safe haven, but we both know that will take time. Right now, you should try and enjoy your bath. We get little enough pleasure in this world, and after the day you’ve had, you need a little something good. When you are ready to get out I will help you, but before you get fully dressed, I need to wrap your ribs. Then we will sit down in the other room and eat some stew. Did I mention that I am not a good cook either? You’ve been warned ahead of time “Yes, I admit I have several weaknesses. Before long, you will have to write them down in order to remember them all.”
I almost miss her lips twitching as she fights a smile.
“Enjoy your bath, Lauren. Call for me when you’re done.”
This entire time I have kept my eyes on her face, and when I stand, I walk back through the door, shutting it behind me. Strolling over to the fireplace, I plop down in the chair, resting my head in my hands, exhausted. I have talked more in the last few minutes than I have in a year. Glancing up, I look around at the cabin I’ve slowly been expanding, realizing all the things that still need to be done. Things I’ve pushed aside, as I require much less than a woman. I have no idea how long I’ve been sitting here, caught up in my own thoughts, when her voice startles me.
“I’m ready.” It only takes a second for her words to register and I am on my feet, headed her way. Opening the door, she’s turned slightly from me, wringing the water out of her long, now dark blonde hair. Grabbing the largest towel, I hold it out and motion for her to stand up. “Take your time and make sure your feet are flat on the bottom so that you don’t fall.”
Being a normal, red-blooded man, I fight my arousal when she stands, and my eyes trace the water running down her slim, yet curvy form. Wrapping the towel around her fully, her small hands land on my shoulders, bracing herself against me as I lift her gently by her hips to keep from putting any more stress on her ribs. Setting her on the floor, I quickly dry her off, trying to look everywhere but at the tempting sight in front of me as she holds her wet hair out and away from her skin. Gently, I move her over to the crate, wrapping the damp towel around her hips, but leaving those fabulous breasts and her ribs uncovered.
Gathering the long strip of fabric I’d found in the medical kit, I kneel in front of her, my face barely above her stiff nipples. She doesn’t start shaking until I wrap my arms around her. “Here, hold this side until I can wrap it around you a few times. This is going to hurt because it must be wrapped tightly, and I apologize in advance. I would take the pain for you if I could.”
When my hands graze the sides of her breast, she gasps out, but doesn’t fight to get away from me; simply sits there so still, I wonder if she is breathing. “You alright? Is it too tight?”
“I am fine, just breathing through the pain. I’ve found that it helps.”
I mask the fury racing through me that she would have ever had to learn how to do that.
“Why?” Her voice is barely a whisper.
Puzzled, I look up and stop. “What?”
“Why would you take the pain for me? I am nothing to you.”
“No female should ever have to suffer the way you have. In general, women are all built smaller and are more delicately boned. Most of you have a nurturing nature and spend your life making everyone else’s lives better. I’d prefer none of you ever experience this side of man’s cruelty, but the world in general is cruel, and most enjoy that aspect of it, especially weak-minded men.
They don’t call me Beast for nothing, as I spent the majority of my young life intimidating the cruel ones with my size and strength. But only a weak man lays a cruel and harmful hand on a creature that has no way of defending itself in the same way. I give you full permission to grab the closest skillet if I ever get out of hand. I don’t care how big you are, you are not going to win if a cast iron pan hits you across the back of the head.”
A small smile graces her lips before her emotions blank back out. I swear to myself right then that I will do anything I can to see the light in her eyes brighten once again.
“Lauren, don’t worry about tomorrow as it will be here soon enough. I want you to do nothing for the next few days but lie around and heal. I promise, the world and all the things you think need doing will wait. In the meantime, I’ll try not to poison you with my expert cooking. When you are on your feet, we will discuss the changes and improvements you believe we need to make in order for the cabin to feel like yours and not just a square sitting in the middle of the woods.”
“What about …… Oren?”
