He shifted, adjusting himself to hide his sudden erection. There was no doubt that he wanted her. Everything about her, down to her feisty temper and sarcastic humor, turned him on.
He didn’t know what had happened in her past, but it was clear that she wasn’t ready for anything he had to offer just yet. He hoped with time, he could change that. But there was no doubt tonight would be challenging, and he would likely not get much sleep. After checking on the horses and ensuring that the fire was contained, he followed Alex inside the shelter. She was curled into herself, fast asleep, a testament to her exhaustion.
Taking care not to disturb her, he slid in next to her sleeping form and lay uncomfortably on his back. The space was so confined that there was no way he could avoid touching her altogether and her nearness had his thoughts spinning and his body betraying his resolve. He could do this. He could close his eyes and go to sleep.Just go to fucking sleep already.He was hyper aware of her shivering, her body failing to keep warm this far from the fire.
Without another thought, he turned over, shifting behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist, and pulling her back into his chest, ensuring he kept his hips pushed away from hers since his cock hadn’t gotten the message that nothing was going to happen tonight. She stiffened in his arms.
“It’s purely for body heat, Alex. I am not trying to seduce you, I promise.” He murmured, before gently nuzzling her hair. “That is, unless you ask me to.” He chuckled warm and deep in his chest. He would never make a move on her without her permission.
“Body heat only, please. Thank you.”
“Anytime. Now sleep. We have three weeks before we reach the Brynn Province and if tonight’s weather is going to be any inclination, it is going to be a cold trip.” Alex huffed, obviously not happy with his assumption, but she relaxed against him.
Davin lay awake, listening as her breathing evened out and little snores punctuated the night. Smiling, he gently brushed her hair away from her face, revealing a cluster of freckles just behind her ear. Grazing his finger lightly across them, his heart gave a little stutter. It had been a while since he had slept with a woman, had even wanted to sleep with one. Alex was different. She had caught his attention from the moment she stumbled into that inn looking like a drowned feral kitten. She was stubborn and opinionated, but it was clear that she was hurting. He didn’t know who or what she was running from, but he knew he couldn’t leave her. Not yet, anyway. Tightening his grip around her waist, he fell asleep, surrounded by her scent.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Humble Abode
Davin
Three exhausting weeks of traveling south had taken its toll on them. The long days on horseback, followed by cold nights on the hard ground, holding each other for warmth, with the exception of the two nights spent in the small villages that they come upon along the way. Davin had to admit he thoroughly enjoyed the holding each other part quite a lot. It was an exquisite torture that he kept inflicting on himself each night. Alex had even started seeking him out in her sleep. She would press her ass against him, the pressure gently destroying his composure. It took everything not to kiss her neck or find a way to alleviate his lingering erection upon waking.
They had fallen into a comfortable routine. Eat, travel, sleep. It was easy and they worked well together, creating a natural rhythm. Discussions often swept long into the night,flowing easily, though they never dared to delve too deep into personal territory. Each would take on the chores necessary for the long travel days, one lighting the fire, the other skinning and preparing whatever had been caught for dinner, making and breaking camp each day, moving in synergy with one another.
Davin wondered how he would convince that bull headed woman to stay with him when they finally got to Brynn. She would undoubtedly refuse and try to get a room in town. If she were still being tracked, an inn would be the absolute worst choice. His place was tucked back on the outskirts of Lasair and rarely saw travelers. Protecting her from whomever or whatever she was running from was imperative.
Not to say his home was a fortress, but he had his own way of defending what was important to him and if he was being honest with himself, Alex was beginning to be important to him. When he approached her at the inn, he hadn’t intended for it to be anything more than an afternoon of flirtation, but then she’d whispered in his ear and his long buried desire had roared to life.
Somehow, this exasperating, frustrating, and stubborn woman slid underneath his skin and embedded herself there. It was only because he wanted to keep her safe, he lied to himself, unwilling to admit the truth he didn’t have words for. He watched her, from where she rode in front of him, her braid bouncing. A wicked grin spread across his face. They may be exhausted but there was no reason they couldn’t have a little fun. Spurring his horse, he pulled up alongside her, raising his eyebrows suggestively, before kicking his horse into a gallop.
What the fuck? Didn’t his ass hurt? Because Sindu knew hers did. They’d been riding every damn day for weeks but still this fool thought he could beat her in a race. Not going to happen. Spurring her horse into a run, she blew past him, laughing, her braid flying behind her. She looked over her shoulder, a broad smile on her face. “Lesson of the day, I don’t lose!”
Exhilaration soared through her as the wind swept past. Davin laughed behind her as he attempted to keep up. The muscles of the mare beneath her flexed and contracted with the effort of the pace. She wouldn’t push her much more; even the horses felt the weariness from the last few weeks, but at the moment, Alex couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so free. She filled her lungs as full as possible and whooped with happiness. The heaviness of the last few months had damn near crushed her. This little bit of joy was like a balm to her bone-weary soul.
Giddy with laughter, Alex pulled her reins, slowing her horse to a walk. Leaning down, she patted its neck, letting the mare know she did well. Davin easily caught up with her, his hair wind blown from the race across the fields. Laughter transformed his features into a radiant display of happiness, creasing his eyes and softening the hardened lines life was slowly etching there. Alex couldn’t help but stare. Davin was gorgeous; she wouldn’t deny that, and a part of her wanted him badly. It was only the memory of Rivka that drove her out of his arms each morning. If they had met under different circumstances, she would have acted on her carnal urges. He caught her staring and his smile turned knowing. She just rolled her eyes. Oh, he knew he was handsome alright, but she refused to feed his ego.
Noticing her surroundings for the first time since their mad dash across the fields, she realized that she knew exactlywhere they were. They had finally made it to the outskirts of the Brynn Province. Cresting the hill they had been riding up, Alex pulled her horse to a stop. Spread out before them was the Brynn countryside. The Forest of Sindu, better known to its citizens as the Shadowoods, stretched to their right. Alex knew those rolling hills dotted with bushes and clusters of trees all too well.
Taking in the view, she let out a sigh. She was home. The hills were bathed in golden light as the setting sun painted the sky with oranges, pinks, and purples, making everything look ethereal. A small cabin was tucked into the line of trees on the forest’s edge that she didn’t remember being there in her youth. She shot Davin a questioning look. Seeming unconcerned, he held her gaze for a moment before speaking.
“Welcome to my humble abode.”
Alex looked between the cabin and him. “You live here? This far from town?”
“You seem surprised.” He stated. “I prefer the quiet to the bustle of the town.”
“I can see the appeal.” She gestured towards the cabin and the sunset beyond it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you build it yourself?”
“I did. About five years ago. We…I mean I, thought that the area was fitting.” He caught his slip, but Alex had heard him. He must have shared this with someone. Maybe a parent or sibling? Maybe a lover. He had said he wasn’t married, so it wasn’t a wife.
“I have plenty of room for you to stay.” He looked at her, an emotion on his face that she couldn’t quite grasp. “It is safe here.” He cleared his throat. “I would very much like you to stay.”
Alex wasn’t sure how to respond. She needed to get intotown. She had business that couldn’t wait any longer. This trip had already taken longer than she was comfortable with, and she had failed to get out the necessary correspondence to her battalion before leaving Kalmia. She would have to stay, at least for tonight, though tomorrow would be determined after she spoke withhim. She needed to get back on track with her mission. Alex had to find Rivka.
