Page 45 of Boxed In

You believe me? the warrior asked.

I understand that’s what you believe.

It was still strange to be holding the internal conversation, but Luke was coming to terms with the spirit of the man who was sharing his body. And Zabastian was making accommodations, too.

I am enjoying your body, the warrior said. You keep your muscles and your heart in excellent working order. It is a good thing when a man honors his physical self.

I try to stay in shape. Luke heaved in a breath. You’ll eventually leave me, right?

One way or the other. Dead or alive.

Luke wanted to shout out a protest. He knew it wasn’t going to do him any good. More than that, he had taken too much of the warrior’s personality inside himself to object. Absorbed too many of his values.

And if he survived, he knew he would never be the same.

Will I remember you? Luke asked.

I do not know. I never stay around to find out.

The woman in his arms stirred. She would wake up soon. It was tempting to use the hypnotic technique again to give her more time to rest.

Or more time for you to hold her?

And you.

I do not mind admitting that I like this. But we must stick to business.

You call making love business?

The warrior growled something deep in his throat, and Olivia stirred.

oOo

Olivia didn’t know how long she had slept. But when her eyes opened again, Luke was holding her in his arms, his gaze focused on the skin that closed the door.

“You didn’t sleep?”

“It is better if I do not.”

“Is it dangerous here?”

He looked toward the curtain that shielded the door of the cave. “This place is well hidden. But this is also a dangerous time.”

She sat up, dragging the fur along with her so that her breasts were covered. “Dangerous how? Do we have men with guns chasing us down? Like the guys back in the twenty-first century.”

He climbed out of the bed and began picking up the clothing scattered around the floor. Apparently the items had followed them to the cave.

He was completely naked, and completely casual about walking around in front of her.

Accepting the opportunity he’d handed her, she took a good look at him. Luke Garner obviously took good care of his body.

But it was Zabastian who spoke to her. “Men in this time are armed with knives. With a knife, you have to get in closer to your enemy.”

She winced. “Back here—they were after the box?”

“Yes.”

He handed her the apparel she’d discarded so hastily, and she put on her bra and shirt without getting out of bed. Until that moment, she’d forgotten that the shirt buttons had scattered across the floor. Looking down to hide her flush, she pulled the front panels over the cups of her bra, then tied the tails of the shirt in a knot at her waist. That would have to do until she could borrow something from the people who lived . . . in the house where Luke had taken her.

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