Page 105 of Destined for Dreams
The men exchanged places with the new guy sitting in the chair.
“Give me a few minutes.” Cori set to work cleaning her equipment and prepping the outline. After she was ready, she glanced at the guy. “Do you want the tattoo in the same place?”
“Can I get it on the bicep instead?” he asked, turning his gaze to his commander.
“That’s fine.”
She started to work once more. Bartol stayed to watch as she put tattoos on each man, only leaving his mate twice to bring her a snack or something to drink, though she also took breaks to use the bathroom quite a few times.
It was past dark when Cori finished the second round of troops who’d stayed with Patrick to take care of the weaponry. Before the team left, Bartol, Raguel, and Lucas compelled the SAS troops to forget Cori’s name and what she looked like. The last thing they needed was for word to spread of her abilities and for her to be hounded back in Alaska. She’d never know a moment’s peace should supernaturals or humans find out about her unique talents. There might never be another like her. The troops would remember getting the tattoos by a woman, and what the designs were meant for, but no other specific details. Lucas also promised to make certain all record of her being in Britain was erased.
His mate had lines of exhaustion around her face after the day ended that concerned him. He hated that she had to work so hard after a long and arduous trip across the world, but he admired the fact she never complained once.
“Come,” he said after she had a light dinner. “You should get some sleep.”
“Will you stay with me?” she asked.
“For a few minutes, but I must meet my father again soon for more training.” He guided her up two sets of stairs to the top floor, keeping a hand on her arm since she seemed a little unsteady on her feet.
She didn’t answer him right away, waiting until they reached their room. “I’ll try to stay on my side of the bed if you do join me later.”
“We’ll see.” Bartol didn’t have the heart to tell her he wasn’t ready for that, and he’d likely sleep on the floor. It was enough for him to be close to her for now.
Cori used the en suite bathroom to change into pajama pants and a tank top.
As soon as she came out, she crawled under the blankets and yawned. “I can’t believe how tired I am.”
“Then you should rest.”
He sat on the other side of the bed and watched her as she closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was breathing deeply and fast asleep. Bartol had suspected she wouldn’t remain awake long. Unable to help himself, he reached over and played with a strand of her wavy black hair. It was silky and smooth to the touch. Would there ever come a day when he could be fully relaxed with his mate, and they could touch and hold each other without reservation? He hoped so.
