Chapter Four
MERRICK - NOW
DAY THREE
Aslight shuffle against my side woke me. When I squinted downward, Era was studying me, her hand a latent flame against my heart, the muscle picking up speed from our closeness.
“You’re okay,” I exhaled in relief, dragging my hand from where it lingered on her back to cup her cheek. “Thank the Gods…”
Her eyes glistened as her gaze dropped to where her palm rested on my chest. “The moment I awoke, I searched for your heartbeat,” she whispered. Her tears spilled over when her gaze found mine again. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. Even in the cavern. Even in the dark.”
Even in my past.
Her words, her admission that my passing was more dreaded than being trapped in the dark, especially when I knew just how horrified she was at the absence of light…well, the confession made my chest feel as though a wave of stardust was settling over it.
Warm. Pleasant. Foreign.
My thumb grazed her cheek. “Me neither,” I murmured, remembering just how desperate I felt trying to make it to this place.
My eyes dipped to her hand again, and I was shocked to see no damage from the cold on her tanned skin.
No frostbite. Not even any redness. I shifted my attention to my own fingers as I traced the curve of her jaw.
“Are you hurt?” I prodded gently. “Can I heal you?”
She dragged her teeth over her lip, shaking her head. “I feel perfectly fine,” she replied, her line of sight drifting to the barbells piercing my nipples.
Her hand slowly trailed from the center of my chest down my abs.
That simple act sent blood rushing between my legs, my face heating at the subtle shift in her expression, at the soft gasp.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly as they lifted to mine, and I knew that she felt my hardness pressing against her lower stomach.
Every part of me was drawn to her, and it was unbearable, damn near torturous, to lie beside each other and not do a damn thing about it.
We spent a few moments with our heavy gazes locked, our legs intertwined, our chests rising and falling in unison.
Closer and closer our lips became, and then I dared to read her.
I tuned into her emotions, only to be met by a wave of desire so intense, so strong, that a desperate exhale escaped my lungs.
As if my cock wasn’t already hard enough.
Era’s lips and mine were almost touching, but with all the self-control in the world, she tore herself away from me, running a hand through her hair as she sat on the edge of the bed.
I shut off my gift immediately. “I’m sorry—” I began.
“Don’t be,” she said nonchalantly, using her palms to push herself off the mattress.
I swallowed hard. Gods, this woman’s body was flawless. Fit and toned, yet soft in all the right places. She was still in just her bra and panties. As she examined the room, she kept her arms wrapped around her midsection. “It’s pretty chilly in here.”
I sat up against the headboard, pulling out the tie holding my hair back. I brushed my hands through the silver strands and gave her an embarrassed half-smile. “I didn’t pay close enough attention to your fire-starting lesson.”
She shot me a smirk over her shoulder, but her face sobered immediately.
Her lips parted, her focus shifting from where my fingers wove through my strands to my bare chest and stomach.
Her restraint was admirable, but still, desire had its tells.
I wondered if she could see it in me too…
if I was just as obvious as my eyes greedily drank her in.
While she may not have been good at hiding her emotions, she was a master at avoiding them.
Era cleared her throat, then focused on the fireplace.
I hadn’t had the mind to even try to start a fire when we stumbled in here—huddling together had been the only sensible option.
But it seemed everything we needed to start a flame was kept in a small box beside the hearth, so Era got to work right away.
I decided to investigate the room beside the fireplace—a restroom with a toilet, sink, and a porcelain tub. Soaps and salts were scattered along the small vanity and hung from a basket in the corner. It smelled lovely in here.
I turned the handle in the tub and was pleasantly surprised that hot water came pouring out.
“Is that water I hear?” Era called out.
A grin spread across my face, and I popped my head out of the room. “Do you want to bathe first?” I offered.
Her eyes softened. “You go ahead. I’ll go after.”
With a gentle nod, I retreated into the room and shut the door.
As the tub filled, I found a toothbrush and paste, delighted to taste mint in my mouth.
Once that task was complete, I submerged myself in the water, sighing happily at the orange and vanilla scent of the liquid soap I’d added. I hated little more than being dirty.
I scrubbed my scalp with shampoo, conditioned my ends, and after dipping my head back to rinse it all out, I lathered my body with one of the bars of homemade soap from the basket.
As much as I wished to take my time, to relax my muscles, I knew that Era deserved to be in here, too.
So, once I was clean, I stepped out and drained the water.
I drew her a bath next, filling it with more of that dreamy soap, bubbles forming on the surface. A jar filled with dried orange peels, rose petals, and Epsom salt sat perched on a shelf, so I tossed those in for her, too.
I loosely tied one of the soft towels stored beside the tub around my hips, and when I stepped back into the bedroom, I beamed at the sight of Era warming herself by the fire she had started.
She glanced my way, lip caught between her teeth, eyes hesitantly roaming over me as I leaned against the doorframe. She did that often—nervously indulging in my appearance, like she knew her stare shouldn't linger.
It always did, though.
I nodded to the side. “I drew you a bath. You’d better hurry if you want to enjoy the warmth.”
She smiled softly, then padded over. When she leaned her head into the room, her eyes flared. “Merrick...I’m allergic to oranges.”
My shoulders fell. “Oh shit, really? I had no idea. I’m sorry…perhaps I can—”
She snorted, throwing me a roguish smirk over her shoulder. “Just kidding. You’re awfully gullible.”
I slid my tongue across my lips, then clicked my tongue. “Ah, it’s gonna be that way, huh?” My smile grew. “Last time I do anything sweet for you.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
I refrained from smacking her ass as she strolled into the bathroom, and I just stood there as she brought the door inward. “Thank you,” she uttered softly, before the lock clicked shut.
Era was magnetic. Captivating. Infuriatingly irresistible.
I’d never felt such strong feelings for a woman before in all my life, and it was agonizing to see how effortlessly she shifted between indifference and teasing.
She certainly loved to tempt; it was as if enticing me was its own pleasure form.
Damn her.
I shook my head, smiling as I scavenged the dressers while Era bathed, her soft humming audible. As I combed through the various drawers, I found several large tees, lounge bottoms, and even some fine clothes.
Who lives here? Whose clothes are these?
After finding suitable options, I stepped into a pair of comfortable bottoms, the buttery, ochre fabric hugging my strong thighs. I took the larger of the two shirts available, but still, the mauve top was tight. Not uncomfortable, though.
I decided to explore the bedroom while I waited for Era to finish.
A beautiful painting of the night sky hung above the fireplace, but otherwise, the decor was minimal—aside from a trinket here and there.
My stare shifted, landing on the navy curtains that were pulled to the sides of the windows, and my brows pinched.
Weren’t those closed last night?
As the pads of my fingers grazed the freezing glass, I couldn’t recall. I couldn’t see anything in the distance; it was as if someone had painted the window white, with how solid the sky was. The whirring from the winter storm was the only thing that told me it was still ongoing.
Several minutes passed before the door groaned, and Era strutted out. The fluffy white towel enveloping her body glowed against her sun-dappled complexion.
I bit down on the inside of my cheek. Sexy woman plus loose trousers. Not a good combination.
I averted my gaze, trying to think of something ugly or disgusting to distract myself. Not the water droplets gliding down her skin. Not her damp hair or pouty lips.
Those legs. Can’t think of her legs.
Era stepped past the crackling fire and, upon examining the other pair of pants I had laid out, determined they were much too big. Even though the tee was large, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about it slipping off her like the bottoms would.
She cleared her throat and cocked a brow. “Well? A little privacy?”
“Oh! Right.” I shifted my back to her and waited until she gave me the okay to turn around.
“Well, what do you think?”
Era had slid on the large, ivory top, and while her slender legs had no options for cover, she was able to find some socks and a new pair of panties from her bag.
She brushed her loose strands to the side, tucking the wet, golden hair behind her ear.
Gazing up at me with a coy smile, she did a little spin.
“Adorable,” I commented, then pinched the pale purple fabric of my top. “Not as fashionable as me, but that’s alright.”
She snorted, gesturing to my chest. “I can see your nipple piercings through it.”
I raised a brow. “Too arousing for you, Princess?”
I chuckled as she slapped my arm, trying and failing to hide her amusement. “I don’t know why it surprised me—seeing them.”
I sucked my lips in, trying not to giggle as I imagined what her face would look like if she saw what other parts of me were pierced.
At my mixed expression, she asked, “What?”