Page 13 of The Hero's Bride
“I was lucky. I know that. As a woman, my situation could have been so much worse.”
“Not many people would think that way, but you’re not most people, Thalia.” He spoke past the wedge lodged in his throat. Instead of dwelling on the fact she’d been enslaved, she chose to focus on others’ predicaments and feel grateful for the hand she’d been dealt.
“You mentioned the others didn’t speak much English, but you’re fluent. You told me once your mom was a teacher?”
Thalia nodded. “My mother was fluent in English and Spanish. She was trying to teach my father English so he could get a more versatile job, so I grew up hearing both. She taught at one of the private schools, so I went there, too. We had a modest home. My father worked hard at the docks, but it wasn’t enough to support us when she died, and we became homeless. I knew how to get you back to the resort, because each day I would go there to look for food. With the money you gave me, we were able to eat for a month. I’ll never forget his smile when I gave it to him.”
“I wish I could’ve done more. I grew up with wealth, but I was a lonely kid. That probably sounds selfish.”
“No,” Thalia said sternly. “Vivienne felt the same way. We don’t control what we are born into. We don’t feel the same about things because we’ve all experienced the world in different ways. You don’t need to apologize for that.”
He suddenly had no doubt that if Thalia’s mother had lived, she would’ve followed her footsteps and become a teacher, too. Her ability to take others’ perspectives floored him. “I was scared to death—sure I was about to die when your hand shot out and pulled me to safety. I remember being awestruck by your courage.”
“I was in awe of your bright red hair.” She giggled a little. The sound so fucking sweet it washed over him and created a burn in his chest. He wanted to hear that carefree sound more often. Would do just about anything to give her space to feel joy.
From the day they’d met, her strong character had humbled him. It was no surprise she’d turned into such a resilient adult. Her life had been wrought with tragedy, her world small and controlled. The desire to watch her discover freedom and experiences dug deep into his gut. Made him want to baby and spoil her, not because she wasn’t tough but because she’d had to be.
Maybe it was too soon to be experiencing such a jolt of emotion when it came to Thalia, but it had rushed through him as they stood in the Colima jungle, recognition flooding her face. Again, when she’d tried to put the needs of him and Sully before her own, just like she’d protected Vivienne from discovering what she was going through. Thalia was selfless and strong. Thoughtful and courageous.
He was about to tell her he was honored to have the opportunity to reunite, but pressure on his shoulder stopped him. He glanced down and her smooth hair brushed against his chin. Her eyes were closed, the crescent of dark lashes hugging her cheeks. She grumbled something nonsensical, and one of her hands moved to rest on his stomach. He lifted his arm slightly, and she burrowed into his side. Fuck, her body felt perfect snuggled up to his. Her trust felt even better. When her other hand tucked behind his back, so her arms were encircled around him, a sense of peace settled over him.
A few minutes went by before Sully cleared his throat. “Not easy to find a good woman,” he said, glimpsing in the rearview mirror.
He glanced down at the woman in his arms and sucked in a breath, letting her sweet scent from the safe-house soap coat his lungs. “I’ve got one right here.”
Sully grinned. “Maybe we’ll be having a real wedding after all.”
Chapter Seven
Thalia woke witha start, but remained still, taking stock of her surroundings. Her body was being jostled back and forth with movement, but warmth beneath her cheek had her muscles relaxing with relief. She was no longer being held against her will and the warm body she was cradled against was Mason. The sweet and frightened young boy was now all man as evidenced by hard muscles underneath her fingers. She sat up with a gasp, pulling her hands away from him as though she’d been singed. With the way heat was racing to her cheeks, igniting her in a full-body blush, it was a wonder she wasn’t incinerated by her embarrassment. She’d fallen asleep on him. Encircled his waist with one hand on his lower back beneath his shirt and the other on his stomach.
Mason was suddenly alert, his narrow-eyed gaze surveying their surroundings. “What is it? Are you okay?” He leaned in close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.” She spared a quick glance toward the front of the Jeep. Sully was still driving, except now he had sunglasses over his eyes. She’d not only been clinging to Mason, but she’d also done so for hours considering the bright daylight was shining into the vehicle. She looked away from Sully, dropping her voice. “I didn’t mean to touch you like that. I’m sorry—”
“Haven’t slept so peacefully in a long time, so if anyone should be apologizing, it’s me for letting my guard down and dozing off, too.” He gave her a gentle squeeze and pulled her into his side. She angled her chin to meet his deep blue eyes, which were intently fixed on her. Still groggy from sleep, she stared back, captivated by the silver that streaked through his irises, making them look as though they were sparkling with light. Her gaze dropped to the freckles dusted over his nose, then to full lips. The urge to lean in and see what they felt like against her own buzzed around her, blocking out the sounds of the radio and the hum of the air conditioner until she was only focused on Mason. When she met his eyes, the black of his pupils had swelled, masking much of the blue.
“I’m stopping for gas,” Sully yelled from the front and jerked the Jeep to the right. Unable to brace herself, she lurched into Mason, her face smacking into his chin.
“Shit. Sorry about that.” Sully turned around in his seat and Mason glared at him. “Infrastructure’s a bit choppy.”
“Infrastructure my ass,” Mason growled. “Think it’s the man behind the wheel more than the roadways.”
“Whatever. You okay, Thalia?” Sully asked.
She nodded, letting her hair fall forward into her face, sure her cheeks were the shade of Mason’s hair. He was scrutinizing the gas station with its two pumps and chipped mint siding.
Sully cleared his throat. “There’s not another stop for several hours,” he said reading Mason’s wary expression.
“Then let’s make this fast. You pump. I’ll see what they have for bottled water.” Mason turned to her, and once again his direct gaze was dizzying. “Looks like there’s some restrooms on the side. Don’t know when we might run into them next.”
“Okay.” She scooted across the seat and took Mason’s offered hand. When he began to walk with her in the direction of the facilities, she cast him a questioning look. “I thought you were going inside.”
“I am, but there’s no way you’re going in the bathrooms without me clearing them first.” When they reached the rudimentary one-person stall, Mason went in first, quickly reappearing. “It’s not pretty, but it’s workable. I’m going to stand watch.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but decided she’d rather have Mason wait for her than someone busting in and dragging her out. Thalia shut the door behind her, not wasting any time. He’d been right, the bathroom was functional at best, but it appeared in desperate need of a good clean and some air fresheners. After washing her hands, she joined him. “Is it okay for me to come into the store?”
“Best to stay out of sight. I’ll get you anything you want—you only have to ask.”
