“Just wondering if Nenek is okay,” she lied.
“I’ll talk to Johan tomorrow about seeing how she’s doing.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about asking. You think he will check on her?”
He shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”
She couldn’t hold his gaze, suddenly shy. “Should we take turns sleeping?”
“I don’t think we need to worry about being ambushed in the night. I say we both get as much rest as possible.”
He misunderstood her reason, and she couldn’t explain her nervousness of sleeping close to him. He flopped onto the mattress and sighed. “This is nice. You coming?” He patted the spot beside him.
No way to refuse—nor did she really want to. She could only hope he didn’t notice her hot cheeks as she crept cautiously onto the bed.
“Sleep tight, Nadirah. And this time, I’ll make sure no bed bugs bite.”
To her surprise, despite the situation, she fell asleep hard, fatigue dragging her down.
She awoke refreshed, and warm, cradled by Phoenix.
His body spooning hers.
And very noticeably happy about it.
Chapter Fourteen
Phoenix hadno idea how to extricate himself without waking Nadirah. Despite usually being a solitary and light sleeper, he’d somehow ended up snuggling her, spooned against her backside, waking with an erection that begged for relief, and not from just anyone.
He wanted Nadirah.
Something about her attracted him in a way he’d never experienced. It went beyond her beauty, courage, and intelligence. Everything about her enticed. He couldn’t get her out of his mind—or fantasies.
Before he could muster the willpower to move away from the delicious woman sleeping in his arms, she woke. No way she didn’t notice how much he enjoyed being close to her. Would she freak?
She murmured a soft, “Good morning.”
“It sure is.” It should be noted, he didn’t immediately roll over to break their intimate connection.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Very.” A word purred against her nape, which he somehow found himself nuzzling. She shivered and didn’t shove him away. “You?”
“Better than expected.” She cleared her throat. “Um, what’s the plan?”
So many things he could have said.
Done…
But of course, someone chose to ruin the intimate moment.
“Wake. Come.” Zafira barked a brusque command from outside their tree hut.
An irritated grumble almost escaped him, and he had to bite his tongue lest he roar in annoyance.
Nadirah rolled to her back, still cradled close, and sighed. “Guess we’re about to find out our fate.”
He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek. “It will be fine.” He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
