She didn’t say any of the thoughts racing through her mind. Instead, she kept it light. “Please tell me that you have a spare bed. I cannot sleep on the cold, hard ground again. Unless you are expecting me to sleep with the horses?” She offered him a wink that didn’t convey the humor she’d meant it to.
Davin chuckled, “Yes, I have a bed. I’m not an animal.”
Alex laughed, kicking him with her foot, not missing his phrasing. “You have a bed? As in a singular bed?”
“Yes,mybed.” He winked but then continued. “But I also have a couch.”
Pretending to be aghast at the implication. “Me? Sleep on the couch? Aren’t you supposed to be a gentleman?”
Davin placed his hand over his heart, feigning insult. “Of course not, princess. Where are my manners?”
“Princess, my ass.” Alex laughed as her mare came to rest next to a small horse barn.
Dismounting, they made quick work of settling the horses for the night before making their way towards the cabin. The light was dim, night having fully descended on them. Davin’s steps were sure, tracing a path that he obviously knew well. Alex followed behind him, trusting him to lead her. The porch on the front of the cabin creaked under their footsteps. Pulling a key from the pocket of his uniform, Davin unlocked the front door, swinging it wide, gesturing for her to wait as he entered first. She was annoyed by his antics but too tiredto say anything. Coming back a second later, he motioned for her to come inside.
“So chivalrous.” She teased. But the care for her safety had touched her.
Soft light from the lanterns that he had lit shone on a quaint living room. The cabin wasn’t big. There was a kitchen area with a round table off the back of the living room. A short hallway led to two closed doors and what looked like a small washroom. The living space was sparse. A single couch, barely big enough for her to lie on, against one wall. A chair with a thin blanket draped over the arm sat in the corner of the room, next to a side table. Both were facing a small fireplace on the far side of the room. No pictures adorned the walls, no knick knacks on the shelves or tables. A plush rug in blues and grays covered the living room floor, the only item making it feel a little more like a home.
Alex turned, catching Davin watching her survey his belongings. Pink crept into her cheeks, but her eyes held his gaze. “Your home is lovely, Davin. Thank you for letting me stay tonight.” She knew how to be polite when the situation called for it.
“My home is your home.” He shrugged, lifting his hand towards the hallway. “My bedroom is the one on the left. The washroom is there at the end of the hall.” Turning, he started towards the kitchen. “I have been gone a while, so my supplies are low, but we should have enough food for tonight and the morning. I can go into town tomorrow to pick up more provisions.”
“I am sure whatever you have is better than what we’ve been eating,” she laughed. “Let’s go see what we can scrounge up.”
Alex
Alex stood, stretching her arms over her head as a yawn cracked her face. Her belly was full, and for the first time in weeks, she would be able to sleep in a bed. She didn’t know how she would repay him for his kindness, but she would. Davin had excused himself earlier to go ready the bedroom for her. She had offered to take the couch, but he had insisted that she use the bed. She wandered down the hallway, noticing a door to the right that he hadn’t mentioned. She could hear Davin moving inside his bedroom farther down the hall. Glancing in that direction, she paused before reaching a hand out and grasping the doorknob. It didn’t turn. That was strange, and Alex wondered what could be so important to cause Davin to keep a door locked in his own home.
“Don’t.” Davin said, his voice firm.
Alex jumped, embarrassed to be caught snooping. She dropped her hand. She’d never heard him speak to her that way.
Davin just stood staring at her, not saying a word, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “The room is ready for you. I am going to do some things before I turn in for the night. I will see you in the morning.”
“Where are you sleeping?” Alex blurted, not thinking.
“I will be sleeping on the couch tonight.” His lips tipped into a small smile. “I know the princess needs her beauty sleep.”
Alex stared at him for a moment, not rising to his bait with the princess comment. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch,Davin. It is barely big enough for me. Let me take it. You sleep in your own bed.”
“No.”
His tone broached no argument. Alex argued anyway.
“I can’t have you sleeping on that couch after we have been traveling nonstop for three weeks.”
“Are you asking me to join you in bed, Alex?”
Davin took a small step towards her, his voice full of questions, desire lighting his eyes. Alex’s stomach clenched, but she instinctively took a step back.
“I am..” her voice barely above a whisper, “but only for comfort purposes. I am not ready for anything more.”
She watched the desire fade from his eyes, but he didn’t drop her gaze. Relenting to her request, he sighed. “I will stay to my side. Try not to snore though. I need my sleep.”
“I do not snore.” Alex said, indignantly.
Davin let out a laugh, warmth and relief spread through Alex’s body. Turning away, she stalked towards the washroom, needing some space. Having changed from her leathers, she donned the shirt that he had left on the basin for her. For a minute, the soft material felt like pure bliss against her skin, but then his faint scent of juniper and honey enveloped her, causing liquid heat to pool between her legs. Something about him made her want things that she could never act on. Memories of nights wrapped in his arms for warmth, breathing him in, stole her breath. She needed to leave at first light. She was afraid of what would happen if she remained much longer.
