Page 8 of In the Cover of Darkness

This man's smell completely engulfs me. It's overwhelming how comforting all of this feels. I'm completely surrounded by the biggest man I've ever seen, and all I can feel is utterly comfortable. His smell though, what is it? … Sandalwood, and is that spice as well? It’s like I am standing in a forest with the faint smell of Christmas blowing in the fresh air. I gently rest my head against his back and press myself against him to get as close as I can, wanting to absorb his calming scent somehow, but also the exhaustion of the last few minutes is taking over. Through his back I can feel his breathing starting to slow, the tension in his body starts to ease, his arm around me gently pulling me closer to him.

I can hear a commotion in the room before the man holding me says, “Sheriff you better do something or I will.” His voiceis husky and deep, almost as if he woke from sleep not too long ago. His tone leaves no room for debate. He sounds angry, annoyed, and possibly even worried. Maybe old man Father Time is a bad man after all. Maybe, I've just escaped two shitty situations in however many days. Sighing, I press my body closer to his back trying to let his scent take me anywhere but here.

“Godsdammit,” the other voice says. This must be the sheriff talking now, “It's Jenkins. He wouldn't hurt a fly. I didn't realise he was here.”

“Respectfully sheriff, what the fuck is he doing trying to get into her bed?” my sandalwood saviour grunts.

“He suffers from dementia. He might have thought he was at home with his late wife Diana. Look, I'm sorry this happened especially after all she's been through. We will get Jenkins back to his room, and make sure there's someone to keep an eye on him. He's the kindest man I ever knew, and when I say he wouldn't have hurt her I mean it. It's a tragedy that his mind is being taken from him in this way.”

I hear a low growl rumble through the man's chest. You can tell he's not happy with the sheriff's response but is accepting of the situation. It must be awful to have your memories slowly stolen from you so I definitely don't hold anything against Mr Jenkins. I trust that if the sheriff thinks he's a good man then he is. I hear more shuffling of people, and Mr Jenkins mumbling before the door swings open and closed, letting me know someone has left the room.

“Is she okay?” the sheriff asks tentatively. “Dante,” he says a little louder, “Is she okay?”

Suddenly, my breath hitches as realisation strikes, Dante. This is my Dante. The man who held me for however long. My permanent hot blanket, who told me his ideas and hopes for thefuture. Dante, who smells of sandalwood and spice. Dante, who cared for me. Dante, who saved me.

“Dante,” I whisper against his back. Slowly he turns, placing both of his large hands on my arms. He looks down at me and I have to crane my neck to look up at him. It all hurts a little too much though, and instead of gazing into his endless eyes, I'm forced to look down and rest my head against his chest. Again, I hear a low growl coming from him and he eases me back slightly, quickly taking off his sweater and placing it over my head, covering my body in its warmth.

My arms are still wrapped around me covering my breasts, but I'm now completely swimming in his sweater. It almost comes down to my knees, acting more like a muumuu than anything else. I'm in complete heaven surrounded by his smell, warmth and concerned gaze.

“Are you okay, sunshine?” he asks me softly, and I melt. I'm melting. Who is this man and can I kidnap him? I feel my whole body erupt in a blush that I pray is not bright raspberry, but instead a sexy alluring shade of pink. Who am I kidding, I'm an utter train wreck at the moment and there's no way in hell a man like that would ever be interested in me. I'm utterly average on a good day, with brown hair, brown eyes, stomach rolls and thighs that definitely do touch. This man has no doubt either married his high school sweetheart or is dating a supermodel. I bet he has a tiny cock, yep that's it, that's the fault I'm looking for. Nothing like a huge man with a tiny cock to make everything feel right in the world. At least it makes me feel better at this moment.

Attempting to smile, I look up at him and say “I’m okay.” The concern in his face drops slightly and he gently guides me back toward the bed, gesturing for me to climb back in.

Chapter 8 - Dante

"But where is she?” I say a little louder to the nurse. I know it's not her fault but I’m about to unleash on the next person who even looks at me wrong because I can't find her. She's been here three days, and I've been with her almost all of it. I rented out one of the motel rooms behind the Medical Centre so I could shower and have a small home base set up. I didn't want to crowd Mila’s room with my things. She's slept most of the time we've been here with the pain relief they gave her and was meant to be discharged this afternoon, but it's currently 8 am and she's gone. The doctor doing the rounds was early and discharged all pending patients ready for their loved ones to collect them. Except Mila doesn't have anyone here, at least that I know of, no family has shown up in the time we've been here. The last thing I want is for her to go back outside and end up frozen again.

I'm getting nowhere fast talking with this nurse. To be fair, she probably wouldn't know where she is seeing they had a shift change 30 minutes ago, but I had to at least try. Giving up, I decide to take a look around the centre to see if I can see her anywhere, or at least see if I can find a familiar doctor or nurse.

I've walked the two floors of the medical centre and there's not a trace she was ever here. Not giving up I start to walk toward the exit when I hear small sobs coming from a corner of the waiting room. For the most part, you can see the whole waiting area except for one corner tucked in behind the main entrance. Peaking my head around the corner to not intrude in someone's private moment, I feel the tension in my shoulders instantly lift when I see it's her that's crying. Mila, my sunshine.

Slowly I approach and take the spare seat next to her. I know my size can be overwhelming so I'm trying to not intimidate or scare her.

“I looked for you. You weren't in your room. I thought you'd left.”

Taking a large hitched breath, wincing slightly, she says so softly I can barely hear her, “I don't have anywhere to go.”

I can tell she's trying not to break down further, and I understand the situation she's in must be incredibly lonely and isolating. I had planned on talking with her this morning before she was discharged and wanted to ask if she would be comfortable coming with me, at least until she got on her feet again. I know it's ridiculous to think because we are still very much strangers but I want her near me. I want to look after her.

“That's actually what I wanted to talk with you about. I'm starting over, not here, but up in the mountains, there's a town where my friend lives. The mountain pass is still snowed in but the roads should be cleared today or tomorrow.”

She's looking at me confused, and I know I'm rambling. "I was thinking. If you wanted to. I mean if you needed to. Would you like to start over with me?” Her eyes widen and a somewhat confused and intrigued look spreads across her face.

“Aghh shit not like that, fuck, I'm screwing this up royally. Look, I realise we don't know each other and I don't knowwhat happened for you to end up how I found you, but if you wanted to start over, you're more than welcome to join me. As in two people going to a town where they don't know anyone and creating a new life together. Fuck not together, I'm not trying to kidnap you or anything. Fuck, I just mean …"

I look at her completely expecting to see fear in her eyes or that she's ready to leap up yelling pervert or something similar. What I see however is the biggest, most beautiful smile. Her face is still bruised and her right eye is still slightly swollen and bloodshot, but she's absolutely breathtaking. Gently, she places her hand on my knee, my skin on fire where she's touching.

“I understand what you're trying to say, thank you. It's very kind of you but I can't intrude on your fresh start.”

"What? Why not? You won't be intruding at all. In fact, you'd be helping me because then I wouldn't be the only new person in town. In fact, if you're up to it I'll spread some rumours that you're a mafia princess who's escaped from her forced marriage. Or, how about you invented time travel and are being hunted by future space soldiers after the secret formula?"

She erupts in a fit of laughter that makes my heart ache in happiness. Now that I've heard her laugh, I'll spend forever trying to hear that sound over and over. Her whole face is alight as she processes what I've said. Her hand is still on my knee and I gently take it and place it in mine. My hand is completely engulfing hers but it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

“Seriously though, come and start a new life with me. No strings attached, just two people starting over,” I say, looking at her earnestly. I'm not opposed to begging at this point if it will convince her to come with me but I give her a few moments to take on board what I'm saying.

“You really mean it? I don't have anything to offer you,” she looks downcast. “I have nothing but the clothes I'm wearing and even that's half yours,” she says. Looking at her I see she still has the sweater I put on her a couple of days ago. The sleeves are rolled and I can see the cast her wrist is in peaking through. Someone has also given her a pair of blue scrub pants, and she has thick socks on her feet but no shoes. Growling at her appearance I say, “I have a room at the motel, it's not the best but you can shower and I'll give you some fresh clothes to change into. This is a completely platonic offer of help. I'm not expecting anything from you but it will give you time to think about my offer of starting over.”

Looking around the waiting area I can see her mind rapidly processing everything I've said. Her hand still in mine, she squeezes it and says, “Okay.”

---