He tugged me closer.“The difference is I’m responsible for the shitshow that’s going on over there, Caroline, whereas you have been a victim of it.After the charade he aired earlier, Ian’s not going to shoot me the moment I land back in the country.He’ll want to show me off, want to celebrate my ‘glorious homecoming’.That pretense will keep me alive long enough to find out whatever the ICC wants to know.”
“And getting out again?”I understood his hands were tied—if the ICC were going to grant him impunity, he’d have to do what they asked—but a part of me was struggling with how easily he seemed to be rationalizing the idea of returning to the hellhole we just escaped from.Going back to the Britain he helped to build was tantamount to suicide, whatever he said.“He’ll never allow you to do that.”
“That part of any plan needs work,” he concurred.“But not everything needs to be resolved right here and now.Like I said, the officials haven’t even arrived yet.Let’s hear what they have to say before we panic.”
“Okay, I know.”Sighing, I slumped back on the mountain of pillows beside him.“I just can’t bear to think about it.”
“Then let’s not think about it anymore.”He rolled onto his right side, and even in the half light, I sensed the weight of his stare on me; intense and unyielding as he’d been so many times before.“There’s something else I want to talk to you about.”
“Oh?”The change in energy between us was subtle, but I felt it, my body relaxing as I shifted to face him.“What’s that, Sir?”
“It’s still early days, but while you were gone with Kaspar, I think I’ve started to remember a little about our crossing over here.”
“About being on theCarla?”My heart picked up its pace.Harper’s memory returning was a minute candle of optimism in what seemed like an extremely cavernous gloom.
“The boat, yes.”His fingers roamed to my hair again, tugging gently at my tresses.“I remember the things we did in that small berth below deck.”
I laughed softly, relishing the way each tug of his fingers created a blaze of electricity at my scalp.The pain shouldn’t have been so damn alluring, yet Harper had already taught me how good it could be.I knew from the collision of his palm and from kneeling at his feet how fucking wonderful submitting to him was.
“You always remember the sex, Sir.”I leaned against his wrist.
“Well, why not?”He pressed closer.“When it’s so good, it only makes sense to recall it.”
“Right.”I hoped one day he could also recollect all our meaningful conversations, as well as the incredible romps, but summoning up our sensual carnality was a start.
“And Hans’ truck?”I prompted.“Do you remember us traveling across the continent in that?”
“That’s a little hazy.”His hand slid to my nape and lightly massaged the back of my neck, the pressure his digits exerted provoking a moan from my lips.“But yeah, a little.”
“Your memories are coming back.”I couldn’t deny the relief emanating from me that the man I loved remembered the times we’d had.“I’m so glad.”
I’d tried not to dwell on the outcomes where Harper hadn’t been able to piece our past back together, but the concept had always terrified me.I still didn’t fully understand what had caused his collapse at the police station—the doctor had mentioned extremely high blood pressure—but it was reassuring to hear they had no long-term concerns about his health, and that he’d finally had the MRI his private physician, Armitage, had wanted.
Perhaps, after so long ruminating over my responsibility for his ill health, I could finally accept that the injuries I’d inflicted on him hadn’t been to blame for his recent difficulties.Even though I regretted the harm I’d caused, there was solace in that knowledge.
“Me too.”His mouth grazed over mine, the gradual caress eliciting another groan from my throat.“And I’m also glad we finally have a little time together.”
“Here?”I peered over my shoulder, half-expecting to see his nurse loitering at the end of the bed.“I don’t think we’re truly alone in here, Sir.”
“Here is the best we have for now.”His hand moved from my nape, guiding my face back toward him, and I met his insistence with a smile.There was my commander general, a man who knew what he wanted and always got it.“Let’s make the most of it.”
“But what about your nurse?”His breath was warm on my face, lulling me to stop querying him and just succumb.“She’s always hovering around.”
“Elsa understands we need a little time.”His hand brushed over my chest.“I talked to her about it.It’s been too long since I enjoyed you, little girl.”
“Wait, you mean youaskedher to leave us alone for a while?”
“You sound surprised.”He chuckled, the sound vibrating over me.“This is a private and very expensive hospital, little girl.Why can’t I have what I want?”
“I suppose I am surprised.”My head was spinning, both at his admissions and the feel of his fingers goading me.“I didn’t know she would be so pliable to your suggestions.”
His laughter deepened.“You make it sound so illicit, naughty girl.I just asked that, barring medical emergencies, she let us have some alone time.I told her how important it would be for my recovery to spend time with you, and you of all people know how persuasive I can be.”
“Hmmm.”I stretched my neck as his fingers lowered and brushed over my right breast.At least that conversation explained why the room had been permitted to fall into dusk-inspired shadows.Elsa obviously thought we needed mood lighting.“She has a soft spot for you.”
“So what if she does?”His tone was knowing.“Your jealous side is showing, little girl.”
“Yeah.”I smirked at the accuracy of his words, knowing beneath my clothing, my nipple was budding at his finger’s insistent attention.“I suppose so, Sir.You’re a good-looking guy, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to being envious of other women.”
