Page 51 of These Rough Waters

It’s another ten minutes before I can even think about getting out of my own clothes and despite the fire now burning hot in the burner, I was chilled through. I had pulled the mattress through from the bedroom, got several more blankets and pillows and placed them all on the floor in the den area, right in front of the fire.

Maya had started to regain a little color, but she had yet to open her eyes.

I finally strip out of all my clothes, leaving me bare just like she was and pull back the covers on the make-shift bed before I head back to where she lays and carry her over. I place her down on the side of the mattress closest to the fire and slowly unravel the blankets, keeping my eyes averted to all the skin and drag her close, covering her with my own body as I yank the blankets back over us both.

She was so damn cold but then again so was I, and I was praying that this was going to work. I hold her close, her face tucked beneath my chin, buried in my neck and my arms wrapped around her, watching the fire over her head as the warmth slowly leaks back into my body and I help warm hers too.

After some time, her skin starts to heat and her breathing evens out, though her eyes remain closed, her lashes fluttering on her pinkening cheeks. The small graze has stopped bleeding, and her lips have returned to the pretty pink they should be.

“Little doe,” I coax, running a hand down the back of her head, her hair drying but caked in mud.

She whimpers and shivers violently, nuzzling in closer, pressing in harder and I support her with a hand on the base of her spine.

“Wake up, Maya,” I whisper, “I’ve got you, you’re safe.”

“Torin,” She trembles.

“I’ve got you,” I promise, “I will keep you safe.”

“I’m so cold,” She whispers weakly, trying to get closer but she was as close as she can get without climbing under my skin and I fear she’s already thoroughly there in every way but physically.

“Relax, sweetheart,” I tell her, “Breathe.”

“You found me,” her breath tickles against the base of my throat, lips whispering on my skin.

“I would’ve searched this entire cliffside until I found you, little doe.”

“The storm,” She says, “It came so quickly, I didn’t know.”

“Shh,” I order softly, “We can talk about it tomorrow. We just need to get you warm and rested.”

Her hands travel up between us, palms flat to my chest, nails slightly biting into my skin as she tenses and releases her fingers as if to touch and feel. It was utterly the wrong moment toreactto her touch. But the feel of her hands, the feel of her naked body, it all shot blood to my cock, and I have to take deep, even breaths to will myself not to react.

“Thank you.” She breathes.

I continue smoothing down the back of her hair, detangling some of the strands as I go and listen to the crackle and hiss of the fire as the violent tremors begin to subside, and her body relaxes as she begins to fully warm through.

I relax with her, letting a breath go now she’s safe and in my grasp.

But I don’t sleep with her, instead I keep watching over her, tracing her features with my eyes and her back with the rough tips of my fingers. She was so damn soft, and small and almost fragile but that was just in appearance. There was nothing delicate about this woman.

Having her right here, in my arms, regardless of how it came to be simply felt right. Like she was made for me.

I did not deserve such a thing. The very hands that hold her and touch her skin are the same hands that have killed. That have been covered in blood and did it with no regret, and no remorse.

And though I know this, know I did not earn such a thing from her, I’m likely to take it anyway.

I was addicted to her, even before I tasted her, even before I witnessed her pleasure, the obsession was deep. I’m not entirely sure when it started.

With a sigh, I tighten my arms and finally close my eyes, letting myself succumb to my own exhaustion.

Twenty-Five

Igroan as I wake, the fire a barely there flicker in the burner, emitting a soft glow into the otherwise dark room. The rain was still coming down hard and strong, gusts of wind slamming against the cabin and making the wood groan. But it isn’t that, that has my attention, no, it’s the ass being pressed against my cock, the soft little whimper being whispered from Maya who is led in front of me, her back to my chest.

“Maya,” I rasp, my hand coming down to still her hip, fingers flexing into the soft, plump skin.

“Mm,” She replies a little sleepily.

---