Page 43 of Trigger

Oh,fuck it.

Fuckit. Fuck it. Fuck it.

Ifinally relented because I was a good person, although the thought alone mademe cringe. I could even feel my stomach acting up.

“Ifyou mention this to anyone, I will shoot you,” I threatened. “Do youunderstand? I’m doing this only because you’re probably on your deathbed.”

Whininginternally, I ran my fingers through his hair, trying not to think about it toomuch.

Herisked his life for you.I reminded myself.He’s sick becauseof you. He may repulse you on any other day, but tonight you will ignore it.

I kepttouching his hair, surprised to realize how soft it was. How it was longer thanit looked. Secretly, and I would never admit it to him, I was jealous of hishair. He had beautiful hair. He mostly wore it tied into a bun, but I preferredit when he left it down.

Still,this entire situation left me seething.

Thorsen,you may have saved my life, but if you don’t die tonight, this makes us even.And to the person who did this to us, if I ever catch you, you are soo dead.

Thorsen

I wokeup in heaven, or it seemed like it. I was somewhere warm and cozy, maybe in thetropics. Was I shivering? If yes, it was out of sheer enjoyment because I wasfloating on a hot, fluffy cloud. Everything around me was so soft. Well, noteverything. The body next to mine was nothing if not hard muscle, and it mademe smile. I would recognize this body blind and deaf and with my fingertipsremoved. I would recognize that cologne anywhere… oh, my God! I moaned andraised my head to inhale more deeply when I heard a deep voice.

“Drinkthis.”

Iblinked in confusion, but all I could see was darkness. Was I in the bunkeragain?

“Carter,”I croaked. “I think we’re back down there.”

“No,we’re not.” A calm voice soothed me. “You have a fever, and your mind isplaying tricks on you. Raise your arms.”

I didwhat he said, only to feel him taking off my T-shirt. Was he undressing me?

“Am Idreaming?” I muttered. “I must be dreaming.”

Inever dreamt of him before. I imagined us fucking, sure. Our exhausted,well-fucked bodies. Balls empty, dicks half-hard. My cum, running out of hisass. The bite marks, the hickeys, the spit, the begging—was it all just in myhead?

Whenhe lay down next to me, I reached for him greedily, my teeth chattering. I hadto make sure he wouldn’t leave me alone in that place.

“It’sokay,” he said, and then I felt his arm around me, or maybe it was a dream too.“We’re home. You’re safe.”

Ibelieved him because it was exactly how I felt. Safe.

***

When Iwoke up, I was in the bunker again. The water was dripping on my naked body,and every drop felt like a pinprick on my skin. I was hungry and cold, and Icouldn’t open my eyes as if my eyelids were glued together. And I was allalone, which made it even worse.

“Carter?”I whispered, but I was too weak to search for him. Was he even here? Or did heabandon me? He hated me… He must have abandoned me. It made me realize I wasabout to die, and I never even kissed the fucker. Worse than that, I probably neverwould.

I wokeup with a scream lodged in my throat, my heart pounding like crazy. For amoment, I was almost frantic with fear. Only when I saw a ceiling above me didmy heartbeat slow down a fraction. A room. I was in a room, thank God, and notin a dark pit. It was only a fucked-up dream.

Istarted to straighten up because I needed to pee, only to realize that Icouldn’t move. I looked down at my body to see what hindered my movements, onlyto spot a dark-haired head lying on my chest. The long, inky eyelashes cast ashadow on the perfectly sculpted cheeks, while the soft, full lips remainedparted to aid the deep, steady breaths. The arm around my waist held me firmly,ensuring I couldn’t move even if I wanted to.

Istifled a laugh because this was hands down, the best way I ever woke up.Still, I knew my partner wouldn’t be as thrilled about this situation as I was,so I decided to wake him up. After all, he allowed me to spend the night here.He took care of me while I was ill, and now it was time to reciprocate.

“Hey,Carter,” I said, groaning when I felt my throat sting. “Wake up.”

Hissoft snoring told me he chose to ignore me.

“Carter,”I tried again, caressing his arm. “Wake up, babe.”