Joaquin drove quickly as I continued to tap Alexis’s cheek. She remained unconscious, but the pulse beat regularly in her neck, so I considered that a good sign. Once we arrived at the cottage that Michael owned, I carried her inside and lay her on the couch.
“Run some warm water in the tub,” I said, and Joaquin pointed to Enzo, who’d accompanied him on the trip to look for us. Enzo rushed toward the upstairs bathroom to start the water.
“I’m going to take her to the upstairs bedroom and get this stuff off her so I can put her in the tub.”
Joaquin’s eyebrows lifted, as if he suspected my reaction was more than just pure concern, and I shook my head. “Not the time to make this about anything else but getting her warm,” I said, a warning in my voice.
“Understood,” he said with a slight nod. “I’ll clean out the fireplace and refresh the logs.”
“Thanks.”
I carried Alexis upstairs and placed her on the bed. Working quickly, I removed the layers of clothes, garbage bags and the gun I’d given her. Once she was left in her underwear and t-shirt, I called to Enzo.
“Is the bath ready?”
“Yes!”
“Head downstairs. I’ll take care of her.”
I heard Enzo’s footsteps echo on the stairs and carried Alexis to the bathroom. Once inside, I closed the door and lowered her into the warm water. Her t-shirt soaked through immediately, and my arm got tangled in it as I tried to maneuver her.
“Fuck this,” I muttered before yanking off her shirt.
I gently pushed her body into the water, making sure it covered her up to her neck. Her eyelids fluttered and I lightly slapped her cheek again.
“Alexis? Hey, wake up, princess. Come on. You’re warm now.”
Her eyes slowly opened and she turned her head, her eyes unfocused as she blinked. She licked her lips and swallowed, her throat bobbing as she looked around the unfamiliar space.
“We’re at one of Michael’s cabins,” I said, encircling her wrist beneath the water to console her. “You’re safe. We made it.”
She moved her mouth, trying to speak as she licked the roof. Finally, she locked those green eyes on mine and whispered something I couldn’t understand.
“What, sweetheart? It’s okay. I’m here. You don’t have to talk.”
She licked her parched lips again, and I thanked the lord they were now back to the pink color I’d dreamed about every night since I met her.
“Nick?” she whispered softly.
“Yes?”
Clearing her throat, she rasped, “If you wanted to see my boobs, you could’ve just asked me.”
Joyful laughter leapt from my throat as I leaned closer, pressing my forehead to hers. “God, woman, you scared me to death. Why didn’t you tell me you were freezing inside the layers? We could’ve stopped.”
“And done what? Sat in the snow? No, thanks.”
Lifting my head, I tenderly cupped her cheek as I stared into those limitless eyes. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. I can’t lose you. Jesus, I think I had seven heart attacks over the past twenty minutes.”
“Only seven?” her lips formed a cute pout.
Chuckling, I sat beside the tub, content to just be with her as she warmed up. Her skin eventually regained its color, even turning a nice rosy pink from the warmth, and I smiled.
“Okay, I’m going to let you have some privacy. I’ll go find some dry clothes for you and put them on the bed. The bedroom’s outside to the right. There’s a towel on the back of the door.”
Her lips curled into a smile that was part innocence and part lascivious. “You haven’t looked once. I’m both proud and disappointed.”
Unable to deny us both, I slowly lowered my hand from her cheek, grazing my palm over the valley between her breasts. I cupped her breast in my palm, testing the weight against my skin before gently running my thumb over her nipple beneath the water.
