Chapter 14 #2
She accepted the hand he offered her. “I had a run-in with the carpet.”
“Why are you here? In the dark?” Cody pulled her up in one fluid motion.
Ella dropped her gaze, staring at the offending carpet. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Sit.”
The order sounded gruff, but she knew him well enough by now to know it was sleep-roughened. His voice was always deeper and raspier in the mornings. For some reason, it made a tingling shiver dance down her spine. She obeyed his one-word command, lowering herself onto the settee.
He sat beside her and reached toward her head. “Are you hurt?”
His fingers connected with the back of her skull. Ella jumped, not from pain, but from the electric jolt that coursed through her at the touch.
Cody froze. “Did I make the pain worse?”
“No. It’s just sore. Nothing major.” Nothing other than her heart beating as fast as Preston at a full gallop.
His fingers prodded her head. Ella closed her eyes. She shouldn’t be enjoying it so much, but in the dim light and with the turmoil of the past day, she didn’t want to think. She simply wanted to feel.
“No bumps.” Cody lowered his hand. Ella almost protested before biting her tongue. He took her hand. “What about your back?”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. The only other place I felt any pain was my leg. I hit it on a chair before you came in.”
Cody reached for the hem of her nightdress before jerking himself upright. “Sorry. I meant to see if it was bleeding. Probably should have asked before trying to look.”
Ella stretched her leg out, lifting her nightgown enough to expose her shin. Her cheeks flushed hot at such an intimate gesture. She focused on her leg, trying to see it in the dim light. “I don’t think there’s blood.”
Her husband leaned forward, taking her calf in hand before lifting it to rest across his lap. Ella sucked in a breath. His fingers moved tenderly over the sore spot. The calluses on his hands, evidence of how hard he worked, left behind goosebumps.
“A bruise is already forming.” Cody frowned. “It looks like it’s going to be a nasty one.”
Ella slid her leg from his lap, letting her nightdress fall back into place. “I’ve always bruised easily. It’s probably not as bad as it looks.”
“Hmm.” Cody stood, extending his hand again. “Why don’t you walk for a minute to see how it feels?”
Ella let him pull her up. She paced the room after releasing his hand. Her shin stung, but she could walk fine. “See?” She came to a stop in front of him. “It’ll heal soon enough.”
Cody’s eyes flickered in the candlelight. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
She sighed. “It was impossible to stop thinking about Mr. Blackwell and my father. Something still doesn’t feel right. They’re much too determined. And why does Howard want me back? He could play the part of a jilted fiancé and gain the sympathy of society. Why insist on me?”
Cody’s gaze searched hers. “Did he need your family’s money?”
“He’s one of the wealthiest men in Boston, so unless he’s greedier than I thought, no.”
Silence. Then, “Is he a dangerous man, Ella?”
Fear sliced through her. “You know he is.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His hand slid to her back, pulling her a little closer. “Some men are abusive toward women but cowards around other men. Some are dangerous to both. Which is Howard?”
“I…I don’t know.” Her breath came rapidly. “He put on a persona in public. Charming, charismatic, collected. It was only in private that he became a monster.”
Cody’s gaze intensified. “And your father?”
Ella let out a bitter laugh. “He was much the same. A character in public, insufferable at home. He charmed many important people out of their money, all while making them think they’d invested wisely. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d ended up with some enemies once they discovered what he’d done.”
“Maybe his insistence that you marry Howard is connected to that.”
She frowned. “But why would Howard still agree to it? If my disappearance caused a scandal, shouldn’t he want nothing to do with my family?”
Cody exhaled long and slow. “Probably.”
“So we’re back to the original dilemma. None of this makes sense.” Ella crossed her arms, a sudden chill making her shiver.
“You’re cold.” Cody grabbed a blanket from the settee. He threw it around her shoulders. The motion brought them closer together, so close she could feel his breath on her cheek.
They both stilled. Something crackled between them, strong and undeniable. Afraid to even breathe, Ella stared up into Cody’s eyes, the blue barely visible in the flicker of candlelight.
His hands moved to her arms. “Howard is a fool.”
The rough edge to his words conveyed an emotion she hadn’t expected. It almost seemed like…but no, that was impossible…wasn’t it?
He pulled her toward him. His eyes searched hers for a few moments as the air sparked around them. “You’re safe here, darlin’. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Ella pulled in a shaky breath, butterflies beating hard in her stomach. “You can’t promise that.”
“Maybe not.” He stepped closer. “But I can promise to guard you with my very life.” His hand found her cheek. “That’s what a husband is meant to do.”
When his eyes fell to her lips, she knew what was coming.
Maybe it was the intimacy of the moment, or maybe it was the candlelight barely lighting the room.
Whatever it was, no fear clutched her heart.
All she felt was the promise of something new, something they could have if they both let go of their misgivings and trusted each other fully.
Taking a leap of faith, Ella slid her arms around Cody’s waist.
His lips found hers gently, carefully, as if he feared she might bolt at anything more.
Her eyes drifted shut, unable to remain open with the cacophony of emotion blazing within.
His kiss remained soft. Warmth wrapped itself around her.
She’d never felt safer than she did now in this man’s arms. Something else rose in her heart, a tenderness aimed solely at him.
When the pressure from his lips decreased, she almost cried out in protest.
Cody leaned his forehead against hers. “We should get some rest. Morning’s not far off.”
She managed to find her voice. “All right.”
He led her up to their room. After extinguishing the candle, they crawled into bed.
As always, the small space had their hips pressed together.
Cody shifted onto his side, his back to her.
At least for now. She knew what would happen by morning.
Ella summoned her courage and put a hand on his arm. “Cody?”
The bed creaked as he rolled to his back. “Yeah?”
The words almost died on her lips, but she plunged ahead. “Every time we wake, you’re holding me.”
He swallowed so hard, she heard it in the dark. “I’m sorry. It’s not deliberate. It just…happens.”
Was that guilt in his tone? She smiled, even knowing he couldn’t see her. “Don’t apologize. It’s another thing you do that makes me feel safe.”
A long pause ensued. When he finally spoke, his voice sounded raspy. “Then I’m glad for it.”
“This might sound strange…” Oh dear. How to ask the question on her heart?
Cody’s hand found hers. “What is it, darlin’?”
The endearment gave her the fortitude to finish. “Can you hold me now? On purpose?”
His sharp intake of breath made her pause. Had she just ruined the tenuous bond between them? Cheeks burning, she buried herself under the covers. “Never mind. It was silly to ask. I’ll just…”
“Ella.” He slipped his arms around her, pulling her into his strong embrace. “I’m happy to oblige. But only if you’re sure.”
She snuggled against his chest. “I’m sure.” The words came out in a whisper, but she meant them with all her heart.
Cody pressed a kiss to the top of her head before settling against his pillow. “‘Night, darlin’.”
“Goodnight.”
Nestled in his arms, Ella finally fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.