Page 25 of Marking Micah

“I can walk,” she protested.

“Nope. Not right now. You just rest your head on my shoulder, lovely girl. I’ll take care of the rest.”

He expected a struggle again, but this time she went limp against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He carried her out the door and down the hall, across the Dungeon, which was in full play party mode. But he barely noticed the sighs and moans of the players, the whistles and cracks in the air as Tops swung floggers and whips and paddles.He was too intent on getting her back to the room. Keeping her safe.

The lobby was mercifully quiet and empty as they walked through, the woman he knew as Erika at the front desk giving him a slight nod and smile of acknowledgement as he carried Micah through and down the hallway to their room.

Once inside, he took her to her bed and laid her back gently against the pillows. He grabbed the water bottle on the nightstand, opened it, and got her to drink.

“What do you need, darlin’? Do you want a shower? Or to wash your face? Or do you just want to go to sleep?”

“I want to sleep, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t want to be alone, Arrow. Will you stay with me?”

He looked at her beautiful face, so raw and open. How could he refuse her anything right now?

“Sure, honey. Let me pull the covers back.”

He kicked his boots off, then stripped out of his jeans, leaving him in his boxers and his t-shirt. He climbed in beside her.

“You can be the little spoon,” he told her, moving in behind her.

She surged back against him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and his heart swelled even as his cock did.

She needs sleep, he reminded himself. And so did he. And they both needed not to do anything they would regret. But she smelled so damn good and felt even better. And this washer.

His Micah.

Lord, he was tired. He’d have a good talk with himself tomorrow about claiming a woman who didn’t really belong to him. But tonight he’d revel in the closeness of her body, in the sound of her breathing and the scent of her hair, like fresh flowers in the rain.

Fuck.

He was in such big trouble.

CHAPTER 7

Micah squeezed her eyes shut against the morning light coming through the curtains, then rubbed at them as she yawned. She felt warm all over and more relaxed than she had in a very long time.

She started to turn onto her back—and that’s when she realized she’d spent the entire night in Arrow’s arms. Strong, muscled arms that held her even as he slept.

Her mind immediately began a replay of the night before in the Dungeon. Had she said too much? Asked for too much? He was there in bed with her, but that was Arrow. He was a natural protector, and he’d do whatever she needed to feel safe. But what else did he feel for her?

Hell, what did she feel for him, exactly?

He’d always been her friend, and had been her guardian angel since the accident. She hadn’t even thought to question his dedication until now. Was that simply who he was? Or could it actually mean something deeper?

Heaven knew she’d found him attractive from the moment they’d met. And since her accident, that attraction hadn’t included just his beautifully muscled and tattooed body, the strong features of his face, his consistent kindness to everyonearound him, but everything he’d done for her. The way he’d been there for her every single moment. The fact that she knew she could rely on him utterly.

No man had ever had her back so completely the way he did. No man had ever taken care of her the way he had. And still did, which she was acutely aware of as he let out a long breath that warmed the back of her neck and tightened his hold on her.

“You awake, sunshine?” he asked, his voice rough with sleep.

“Yes, I’m awake.”

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