Page 25 of A Tale of Treachery

He lifted me up and wrapped my legs around his waist. “It’s a short distance back to camp. I can carry you while you rest, and then we’ll make sure you’re all right once we get there.”

I relaxed and held on to him, my arms encircling his neck and my head against his chest. I’d never been this close to him, close enough to hear the beat of his heart thumping away against his sternum. I inhaled the scent of his skin and sweat until my breathing deepened to a slow and steady rhythm. His warmth melted into my body, and his pace rocked me back and forth. And with one final inhalation, I was lost to sleep.

CHAPTER10

Iwas cold and clammy despite waking next to a crackling fire. I stretched and moaned, rolling closer to the warm flames, my body feeling as if it had been beaten to hell. Before I could orient myself to my surroundings, someone pressed their hand to my head and asked, “Are you all right?”

My eyes opened and landed on George, hovering over me like a mother hen.

“I’m fine,” I grated out, noting that I was back at the campground. I must have slept the whole way back, passed out in Aiden’s arms.

“But you feel feverish,” he added.

“I’m fine. I just took a bad fall and spent too much time in the cold tonight.”

George backed away with a shrug, and I blinked to clear my vision. Aiden and Brandon were seated off to one side of the fire, eating something that smelled delicious. Brandon shot me a tentative smile before throwing a burning glare at George.

Aiden stood and grunted. “I’m going to put this flower in my tent and set up a few things. Eat something. You’ll be sleeping in my tent tonight. Is that all right?”

“Yes.” I nodded, my stomach swirling.

He turned his back on us and left, and my lips tilted into a smile.

George chuckled at the look on my face. “I’ll grab you some food.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as he veered off with an oddly cheerful bounce to his step.

Brandon moved to sit beside me, chewing on his lip while waiting until the others were gone. Once we were alone, he leaned in close and asked, “So, you found the flower?”

I grinned. “I told you I would.”

Brandon’s eyes danced in amusement, and he whistled. “I shouldn’t even ask, should I?

“Probably not.” I nudged him with my shoulder.

“You’re trouble, Dahlia,” he said, snickering.

We both grew quiet as George circled back to us, his hands filled with dried meat, cheese, and bread. My mouth salivated at the sight, and I rose to meet him, tearing the food from his grip before he even had the chance to offer it.

George laughed and squeezed himself between us. “Such a little animal.”

I shoved a hunk of bread in my mouth to prove his point, but he didn’t laugh at the action. And that was odd, coming from the man who thought everything was a joke.

“Brandon, can I have a moment with Dahlia?”

I choked on the hard lump of bread. I didn’t want to be left alone with George. I was still being punished for what happened the last time we’d been left alone. What was he up to?

Brandon shrugged. “See you in the morning, Dahlia.”

I tilted my head in a slight nod, bidding Brandon goodnight, then swallowed and turned to George, my eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

George smirked. Always with the smirk.

“About that kiss…” he teased.

I threw my head back and howled. “What about it? You obviously kissed me to cause trouble. You probably knew we’d get caught.” My eyes went wide at the thought. “Did you know we’d get caught?”

He laughed as if the accusation entertained him. “No. I actuallydidwant to kiss you. I’ve always been curious about what it would be like. And now my curiosity is satisfied.”

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