“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He didn’t answer and his hands stayed in the air.
Georgia gaped at him. “This is ridiculous.”
“I agree. Stop looking at me like...that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m some kind of hero.”
“You’re something, Peter Welis, but I haven’t decided what that is yet.” She sighed. How to explain to a man who was certain of his wrongdoing that he was doing the right thing. Or he had been until his irritating goodness reasserted itself.
“I need your help,” she said, letting her emotions bleed to the surface. Like he’d said before, a good cry could do a world of good. “Nothing about our situation is ok, but I’m not going to let those assholes take away my ability to choose. And right now, I really want a fucking...hug.” She sniffed. “Please.”
He stared at her, his arms slowly lowering. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He sighed and held his arms out.
She all but dove onto his lap. His hands made contact with her back holding her gently at first, then more firmly.
“Thank you,” she whispered into his neck.
He grunted.
He was silent for a minute. Unmoving as she wiggled around trying to find a comfortable position on his lap.
“Georgia,” he whispered, urgent, husky. A warning.
“What? I’m trying to get comfortable.”
“I’m not a teddy bear.” Wow, his growl was making her hot, and that wassomuch better than terrified. The slow burn of pleasure in her core might help her survive this with her sanity intact.
“Hug,” she repeated and squeezed.
He didn’t return the gesture.What was his problem?
Oh,wait. “Do you have a wife or girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Boyfriend?”
He sighed. “No.”
“Why not?”
His arms tightened around her momentarily. The body under her rigid with tension. “I can’t believe I’m having this conversation,” he grumbled to the room at large.
She lifted her head; he had his eyes closed and his mouth set in a grim line. Poor baby. She was frightened, cold, and hungry. She’d been through hell today, with no exit in sight, and she was just stubborn enough to not want to let this go.
“Well?”
He opened his eyes and stared down at her. “Go to sleep.”
“No.”