Chapter 27 Runaway Questions #2
Davin was impressed. She knew how to build a shelter and had done so with no guidance from him.
He watched as she gathered rocks, forming a fire ring.
All soldiers were taught basic survival skills, but she moved with a type of confidence that came with exceptional training and instincts.
She was clearly a fighter, a survivor and her brain always seemed to be moving five steps ahead.
She placed the gathered wood inside the pit, expertly lighting the fire with her flint.
Flames flickered to life, illuminating her face.
Carrying the rabbit he had just killed, he approached, making sure to make enough noise that she heard him coming. She’d been jumpy throughout the day, and he didn’t want to be the cause of any more of her discomfort.
“Thank Fari, you caught something.”
Davin shrugged. “Yes, um, I know it isn’t a lot, food is scarce here with all the animals hunkering down for the coming storm, but this should tide us over for tonight at least.”
“It’s perfect.” She said, a small smile lifting the corner of her mouth as she moved to help him. “Let’s get this thing cooked.”
Working together, they had it cleaned and cooking in no time.
Alex’s stomach let out a pitiful growl. Davin laughed.
She must be starving, Gods knew he was, the midday meal hours past. The smell of roasting rabbit had saliva pooling in his mouth.
As soon as it was done, he offered her the first piece.
She took a huge bite, not even waiting for it to cool.
He smirked at her, picking up his own piece of rabbit. She was undeniably and unapologetically different from any woman he’d ever met. Their eyes connected over their shared dinner.
“Thank you, Davin,” she mumbled, her mouth full. The juice of the roasted meat glistened across her lips as she swallowed her bite before continuing, “You don’t know me, and regardless of the fact that you should have let me leave the inn on my own, I’m thankful you didn’t listen.”
He shrugged, trying to hide the effect her honest words had on him. “I would have done it for anyone.”
He hoped that she believed the lie. He wouldn’t have done it for just anyone.
He tried to be a kind man, though decidedly not always a nice one, but there was a tether between them, a pull that he couldn’t deny.
And if he was being honest, he didn’t want to look too closely at why.
Stifling a yawn, Alex stretched. Davin could see the day’s events catching up with her.
“It’s been a long day. We should probably call it a night. ”
He watched as a mischievous gleam filled her eyes before the expression on her face shifted, her eyes rounding and her bottom lip poking out in an exaggerated pout.
“It’s bedtime already? Are you gonna read me a story, Daddy?
” Davin had to fight to contain his laughter.
She was utterly ridiculous. “You know damn well what I meant.” His lips quirked.
“And no, you don’t get a bedtime story. Only good girls get those.
But you can still call me Daddy if you want to.
” Alex lost it, dissolving into a fit of laughter.
Davin couldn’t help but join her. It felt good to release the tension of the day.
“Go on now, go get some sleep. I’ll secure camp and be there in a few.” Nodding, Alex dropped down to crawl on her hands and knees into the makeshift shelter. Davin watched her as she went. The round globes of her ass swaying back and forth as she disappeared from sight.
He shifted, adjusting himself to hide his sudden erection. There was no doubt that he wanted her. Everything about her, down to her feisty temper and sarcastic humor, turned him on.
He didn’t know what had happened in her past, but it was clear that she wasn’t ready for anything he had to offer just yet.
He hoped with time, he could change that.
But there was no doubt tonight would be challenging, and he would likely not get much sleep.
After checking on the horses and ensuring that the fire was contained, he followed Alex inside the shelter.
She was curled into herself, fast asleep, a testament to her exhaustion.
Taking care not to disturb her, he slid in next to her sleeping form and lay uncomfortably on his back.
The space was so confined that there was no way he could avoid touching her altogether and her nearness had his thoughts spinning and his body betraying his resolve.
He could do this. He could close his eyes and go to sleep.
Just go to fucking sleep already. He was hyper aware of her shivering, her body failing to keep warm this far from the fire.
Without another thought, he turned over, shifting behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist, and pulling her back into his chest, ensuring he kept his hips pushed away from hers since his cock hadn’t gotten the message that nothing was going to happen tonight. She stiffened in his arms.
“It’s purely for body heat, Alex. I am not trying to seduce you, I promise.” He murmured, before gently nuzzling her hair. “That is, unless you ask me to.” He chuckled warm and deep in his chest. He would never make a move on her without her permission.
“Body heat only, please. Thank you.”
“Anytime. Now sleep. We have three weeks before we reach the Brynn Province and if tonight’s weather is going to be any inclination, it is going to be a cold trip.” Alex huffed, obviously not happy with his assumption, but she relaxed against him.
Davin lay awake, listening as her breathing evened out and little snores punctuated the night.
Smiling, he gently brushed her hair away from her face, revealing a cluster of freckles just behind her ear.
Grazing his finger lightly across them, his heart gave a little stutter.
It had been a while since he had slept with a woman, had even wanted to sleep with one.
Alex was different. She had caught his attention from the moment she stumbled into that inn looking like a drowned feral kitten.
She was stubborn and opinionated, but it was clear that she was hurting.
He didn’t know who or what she was running from, but he knew he couldn’t leave her.
Not yet, anyway. Tightening his grip around her waist, he fell asleep, surrounded by her scent.