Page 66 of Damned
“Sure. They’re in my bag somewhere.” Tipping back, he leaned his head to the stone wall behind him. “Kee-rist, I’m beat.”
Rummaging through his bag, Bree unzipped pockets as she went. Of course, the hand warmers were in the last pocket. “Found them. Glad you didn’t forget.”
“You didn’t forget me.”
Bree rolled her eyes at that cheesy come-on. “Yeah, well, you are kind of unforgettable.”
“I’m the real deal.” He was breathing hard, his chest heaving. “And I’m hot.”
“That’s because you’ve got a fever.”
“Damn Bruce.”
Bree warmed a couple prepackaged MRE’s as quickly as she could.
By then Kruze’s breathing was even, but he’d bowed his chin to his chest.
“Breakfast is ready,” she said loudly, in case he’d fallen asleep.
He lifted his head, cleared his throat and winked. “Do you know how long it’s been since anyone’s fixed breakfast for me?”
“It’s no big deal. Here, eat up.” She handed the pan over. Yes, snuggling with Kruze would soothe her ragged nerves, but if she did, she knew she’d give into him. Again. She simply had no restraint where he was concerned.
When he took the pan’s handle, his much larger hand settled over hers. “Thanks.”
The air between them crackled with so many unspoken words. “It’s all yours,” she said quietly. “When you’re done, I’ll warm up some more and eat.”
He magically produced two of those darned metal sporks out of nowhere, a feverish sparkle in his eye. “That’s not how it works. We eat together, then we’ll warm a couple more MREs if we’re still hungry. Understood?”
“But you’re the one who’s sick.”
Kruze waved her worry aside. “I’ve been dinged up before; I’ll get dinged up again. Lucky I’ve got you looking out for me, which is more than I’ve had a few other times. Plus, Vick can’t find us here. We didn’t leave a trail, and this hole-in-the-wall isn’t visible from below. The only way in is the way we came. Now…” He held out a spork. “Are you with me?”
She accepted his rules and the spork. “Yes, I’m with you.” Bree couldn’t deny the comfort those words brought to her poor heart. It stopped its relentless hammering. She could breathe again, and she did love this man. But was love enough? She was beginning to think it was.
Together they emptied the pan. Bree warmed another batch of MREs. After that was gone, they each ate a protein bar. Kruze cleaned their eating utensils and the pan with antiseptic wipes, while she tugged the rolled-up blankets out of her pack. Since she was still wearing his jacket, Bree handed the blankets to Kruze.
“Uh-uh,” he growled instead of taking them. “We sleep together, Bree. Get used to it.” He laid down with his back to the opening. Bree settled in beside him, her back to his front. Kruze rested one arm under her head for a pillow, the other around her chest while they spooned. “I love you,” he whispered, as he pulled the blankets over them. “No matter what happens between us, I hope you’ll always know that.”
“I do know you love me,” she whispered back, snuggling into the delicious warmth of his body. “I should’ve checked your bandage before we laid down, though.”
“It can wait. I’m fine,” he growled. “I’ve eaten. I’ve got you in my arms. What more does a man need?”
“To be home in his own bed?”
“Tomorrow, sugar. We’ll be home tomorrow. Maybe later today. You’ll see.”
She fell asleep with Kruze telling a story about a log home with fantastical safety features, moose grazing in the back yard, and windows with metal shutters that kept the bad guys out and the good guys safe inside. If only fairytales came true.
