“What I wouldn’t do for a big snake right now.”
At her words, he stilled. She’d talked about eating a snake, a bird, and beetles in her last experience. He didn’t want her to slip back again. “I think we should change it up. Let’s chew on my gum tonight.”
“That will make us hungry.”
“Yes, but we’ll be asleep when we’re hungry so we can look forward to a mint in the morning.”
She put her hand on her hip. “Well, you certainly know how to wine and dine a woman.”
He smirked at her. Oh, he knew how to do that, but it didn’t help in the end. So where did that put him with Riley? He’d tried not to, but he’d be fooling himself if he said he didn’t have feelings for her. And he’d been doing so well to avoid getting his heart broken again. He was an idiot.
“I’m taking Copper down to the bathroom. We’ll be back in a bit.”
“Don’t forget your stick.” He pointed to the piece of wood she used to follow the cave walls in the dark to their bathroom. She’d used it a couple times during the day. There was something normal about it now that bothered him.
“I wouldn’t leave without it.” Obviously, in a good mood, she called the dog and moved to the right wall. Getting into position, she turned the light out and started down the tunnel, talking to Copper as if he understood every word.
Feeling his way to their camp, he sat on his bed and pulled out his gum. He only had a couple sticks. It wouldn’t be long before working in the dirt all day would be impossible without nourishment. Though he kept a positive view, he was worried. He didn’t actually have faith in Cole finding them in time.
She’d made it eleven days last time, but she had food. While they could last a number of days, digging would be out of the question. They had very little water left in the single water bottle and the only chance of finding water was if they went down a shaft. His concern was whether they could get back up.
He had no choice but to dig tomorrow until they reached fresh air. It was the only plan that had a chance of success. They’d both have more staying power if he hadn’t given into her plea for sex. It went against his grain to make love to her in the dirt, but he didn’t regret it. He had brought her back with his kiss and had enjoyed every moment of being with her.
Now that they’d been together, would she sleep with him tonight? He hoped so. It had been an unexpected pleasure finding her laying on him when he woke. Though he knew he was torturing himself with the normalcy of it, he still wanted it while he could have it. Once they left the mine…
Her voice far back in the tunnel had him anticipating her entrance. She had no clue that she’d be keeping Copper. If the Whisper woman was even half what Riley said she was, she’d make Riley keep the dog. At least he’d know she had a good companion.
He could make out her words now.
“Just wait until we’re out of here. I’m sure Annette will have something in the house for you to eat. Just don’t eat too much. That won’t be good for you. Maybe you should play with a rock or something to keep your mind off eating.”
He waited until she was closer then spoke. “Did Copper do well?”
“He did. I think he’s tired. That’s a long walk for him.” As she drew close to him, she turned on the light, facing it away from them. “Here you go.”
He took it and stood. “Here.” He handed her a stick of gum.
She promptly unwrapped it and put it in her mouth. She had a beautiful mouth with full lips that he loved kissing. Shit, now who was losing it. “Be back.” Turning out the light, he headed for the small bathroom, his fingers on the wall guiding him. Her idea to designate it as such, along with the towel pieces and ore cart of dirt just proved how much she had gone through by herself.
The thought of her alone for eleven days buried alive had his stomach turning in on itself. At least he was with her this time. Though she regressed back in time on occasion, her strength in functioning at all had him in awe. He wasn’t so sure he could handle it if something like this happened to him again.
Arriving at the bathroom, he used it quickly then headed back. He didn’t like leaving her alone too long. As he drew closer, he heard scraping. His heart thudded in his chest that she was scraping the wall again. Turning the light one so he could run to her, he instead found her emptying her gold pan of dirt onto his “bed.”
She looked up. “You’re wasting light.”
She was right, so he ran up to save time. “What are you doing?”
“I’m adding my dirt to yours. This way you can have a bigger bed, and I can sleep on you.” She stared at her handiwork, but when he didn’t respond she looked at him uncertainly. “If that works for you.”
Worked for him? It worked way too well. He tamped down his pleasure. “That makes sense.” He moved to where she’d built up the bed but still left the rails showing. She probably didn’t want to roll past them. She stood to the side as he lay down then joined him after turning the light out and putting it in her back pocket. Copper, not to be far from her, lay at their feet.
The added dirt was somewhat comfortable, but with her lying next to him, it wouldn’t have matter. It felt so right, he had no doubt he’d sleep well.
Her hand lay on his chest, her head on his shoulder, his bare right arm behind her. It was the perfect setup.
“Thanks. I feel safer this way.”
Surprised she’d admit it, his chest warmed. He wanted to say he’d always keep her safe, but that wasn’t his place. “I’m glad I can help.”
