Page 35 of Healing Creek
“You think I could fight off a mercenary?” Disbelief laced through her voice.
“Odds would not be in your favor in a brawl, but you would have the advantage of surprise. Often it is only a matter of gaining the moments you need to run away or for help to reach you. Surprise and a few tricks could gain you those moments.”
“And I wouldn’t feel so helpless,” she whispered. He nodded and her heavy mood lightened. “You would teach me?”
He nodded again. “We’ll begin tomorrow. Now you need to rest.” Creek reached down to remove his boots and Grace did the same.
He was glad he’d chosen a room with a large bed. He wanted to hold her but more than that, he didn’t want to crowd her or make her uncomfortable with his size. She was tall for a human female but less than half his weight.
Together they stretched out on the bed, facing each other. His shoulder ached, but his heart rejoiced when she reached for his hand and laced their fingers together.
“I almost lost you today,” he said.
Grace shook her head. “No. You were the one in danger. They wanted me alive.”
“I don’t just want you alive, Butterfly. I want you close.” He needed her close. He leaned in and rubbed his nose along her cheek. Her cookie scent reassured him she was unharmed. “You can’t leave me yet. I won’t allow it.” The thought of her leaving now made him growl.
She laughed and punched his shoulder softly. As if she instantly regretted it, her warm palm pressed against the joint and massaged the muscle. It was too much like being stroked. A chuff of pleasure built in the back of his throat until he could no longer contain it.
He stroked down the length of her arm then back to her shoulder. He wanted this woman, but for now he was content with having her beside him.
Her hand slid to his neck and then she cupped his cheek. “I’m here, Creek. Right here.”
He moved close enough to press his lips to her forehead. “Sleep, Butterfly.”
Chapter Fifteen
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The room was quiet when Creek woke, but something had disturbed him. For a moment he just listened, controlling his breathing. Then the scent registered. It was Grace. Stress laced through her pleasing scent. Even in sleep she was worrying.
He shifted onto his back and she edged closer. Her pretty little nose pressed against his bare arm. Her hand still clung to his. A twitch jerked through her slender frame. Her eyes moved under her closed eyelids. She was dreaming and it wasn’t a good dream. He didn’t know if he should wake her or let her sleep.
She twitched again and whimpered in her sleep. His heart broke for her. That sound brought him back to his childhood when he could hear other children crying in the night. He couldn’t help those children at the time, but he could help Grace now. He made soothing noises and pulled her into his arms. She struggled and thrashed. Damn. Perhaps he shouldn’t have touched her.
“Grace. Grace, it’s alright. You’re safe.” He held her in his arms to keep her from hurting herself with her thrashing. “Grace,” he said with more force.
She startled awake and immediately clung to him. “Creek.”
A flood of tears filled her eyes and she quickly buried her face against his soft shirt. He rested his chin on the top of her head and murmured, “You’re safe now. Everything is all right.”
“Jenny. I dreamed they killed her right in front of me.” She sniffled as she spoke.
Of course, she’d been worried over her sister rather than for herself.
“Tell me about her. You have many siblings, but I sense Jenny is special to you.” He rubbed a hand up and down her back for long moments until she scooted back enough to put a few centimeters between them. “Lights, up twenty percent.”
She sat cross legged with her hands balled together in her lap. “I love them all, but she’s special.”
“Tell me,” he repeated.
She wiped away her tears and sighed. “It’s a complicated story. I was sick a lot as a child.”
Her scent still showed signs of stress.
