Chapter 6
Riptide
My eyes opened the moment the front door did. I turned my head and watched to see who was walking into what, I assumed, was my house.
As soon as Sloane called out, the tenseness fled from my muscles. I didn’t bother to answer, she’d see that I was awake soon enough.
Her steps faltered as soon as she came into view and saw me watching her.
A hesitant smile spread over her face so I offered her one as well.
I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. It didn’t matter that pain was making me a cranky son of a bitch.
Looking at her I could forget that it hurt to even breathe.
I wanted her to sit down and stay a while.
This was my opportunity to speak with her.
“Hello.”
“Hi,” I replied, grimacing at how gravelly my voice sounded. “Thank you again for tending to me.”
Her steps were hesitant as she came toward me. She was watching me like she expected me to pounce. If I wasn’t feeling so shitty and it wouldn’t scare the fuck out of her, I might. It didn’t matter that my back ached like a sore tooth, I wanted her.
My wounds weren’t deterring my cock, which was thickening against the bed. Images of her naked beneath me were sliding their way into my mind. I forced them out so I could focus on her.
“You’re welcome.” She set a basket down next to the bed. “I brought you some food and some pain medication.”
One of my brows shot up. “Is that allowed?”
There was a slight hesitation as she reached down into her basket telling me that the next words she spoke weren’t the truth. “Of course.”
She twisted the cap off a bottle and shook two pills out into her hand before holding them out.
I stared at her graceful fingers, the soft skin of her hand.
I wondered if it was soft everywhere. She wore a long sleeve blouse that buttoned up to her neck and covered her wrists.
Her skirts swept the floors. Other than her hands and face nothing was uncovered.
My gaze flicked up to hers. “I don’t want to get you into trouble. ”
She shook her head, her long thick hair moving with the motion. It was a shade or two darker than my own. The late afternoon sun streamed in through the window, setting off strands of gold that streaked through it. “I already told you, it’s allowed.”
Deciding not to argue, I took the pills, enjoying the little spark that flared between us as our fingers touched.
Her eyes widened, but I just smiled. I took the glass from her and downed the pills.
Normally I wouldn’t want to take anything that might fog up my brain, but that fucker had done a number on my back.
If his plan was to drug me up before he killed me, then so be it.
If he was using this angel to deceive me, then I’d happily be led to my death, as long as it was her leading.
“My name is Sister Sloane.”
I blinked, realizing it was a good thing that she’d told me before I’d accidentally used her name. It would be a bit awkward to explain that I’d heard it weeks ago when we’d been spying on their camp. Not that I could actually tell her that.
“Nice to meet you Sloane. I’m Derek.”
“Brother Derek,” she said with a smile, then ducked her head as though expecting my anger.
Gritting my teeth together at the thought of her being worried about something as simple as correcting me, I nodded. “Brother Derek. Does that mean I need to call you Sister Sloane?”
“It’s what’s proper.”
Brotherly and sisterly feelings were not how I thought of her, but I held my tongue. “What do you have there?” I craned my neck to see over the edge of the bed.
“I brought you soup.”
My eyes searched her face. “Do you always care for the injured?” Or are you feeling this connection between us, too?
From the moment I’d seen her it was like I’d been hit with a recognition.
Like I’d known her all my life though I’d never seen her before.
It was an odd feeling, but I was slowly coming to terms with it.
Having her seated here next to me…it felt like I was home. That was bullshit. Home was back in the city, with my brothers, but for some reason she was making this more bearable than I expected.
“Often. Although we have a few other women who help as well.” She gave me a smile and set the bowl with a lid on the nightstand while she pulled out a spoon.
I watched quietly as she set up. Her motions were smooth and graceful. She watched what she was doing as well, but I saw her sneaking looks at me when she thought I wouldn’t notice. I closed my eyes, giving her a break. It didn’t seem to be within my control to stop staring at her.
“Open.”
My eyes opened and I saw her holding a spoon. She blew softly on the liquid and I nearly groaned out loud. My mind jumped into the gutter and all I could think about was her wrapping those berry colored lips around my cock.
I wasn’t in so much pain I couldn’t feed myself, but I didn’t tell her that.
Spending more time with her was more of a necessity at this point.
It would take more than my threadbare control to watch her walk away from me.
Opening my mouth, I let her feed me. The spoon trembled in her fingers and the air around us sparked.
There was no way she wasn’t sensing what was between us.
Hell, it was getting so hot in here I was afraid something might catch fire.
Remarking on it now was sure to send her running in the opposite direction—based on the unsettled tells she was giving off—so I kept my mouth shut.
“What brought you here, Brother Derek?”
My smile slowly spread over my face. “Came out here to be with family.”
“Oh? Who?”
“Chet Holden.”
Her hand froze mid-way to my lips, and I wondered if I shouldn’t have told her that. She would have found out soon enough. Better that it came from me. It wasn’t like I wanted to claim Chet. He was a piece of shit, but I had to play the fucking game.
She shut down in a heartbeat. Gone was her smile and she refused to meet my gaze. It was like shutters slamming closed, doors locking, and she knocked down the connection simmering between us. Her opinion of Chet was very apparent. Suspicion was back in her gaze when she finally looked up at me.
At least she wasn’t fond of Chet. In the long run, that’s a good thing.
“I’ll leave this here for you,” she offered, setting a plate with a few slices of bread aside and the rest of the soup. Her cold tone made me flinch. She jerked her arm back, when I reached out to touch her, and stood. “I’m sorry, but I need to go.”
“Thank you for dinner, Sister Sloane,” I told her. The last thing I wanted was to make it worse. Hope that I could change her mind about me was all I had right now. If I pushed the issue I could kiss that opportunity goodbye.
Her eyes flicked to mine and she gave me a small nod before she hurried out of my home. The scent of mint filled the air around me, making me wish she’d stayed.
“Well, fuck. Thanks a lot, Chet, you fucking bastard,” I muttered.
* * *
The next morning, I dragged myself off the bed, groaning as I went. My back wouldn’t be healed fully for weeks, but I’d been ‘summoned’ by the great Earth God. I shook my head in disgust.
Gritting my teeth, I picked my bags up and opened them. I hissed out a curse as I saw all my clothes gone. I knew those assholes were going to do that.
I sighed, then went over to the dresser and opened a drawer. Grimacing at the clothes I found there, I pulled out what I’d need in order to go see Ethan.
Sitting on the bed, I managed to pull my underwear and pants on.
I sat glaring at the button down shirt. The last thing I wanted to do was put that on.
I still had on the strips that Sloane had placed on my back.
They were dried to my skin. There wasn’t enough time to shower and I wasn’t getting them off any other way.
Besides, they’d offer a layer of protection between my shredded skin and the shirt.
“What are you doing?” Sloane gasped as she hurried through the doorway.
“I’m supposed to meet Ethan in twenty minutes.”
Her hands landed on my shoulder and arm, though gently, as she tried to urge me to lay back down. Concern knitted her brows together. “No one ever meets with him the day after. They usually see him after a week.”
I studied her worried face, wondering if she’d already forgiven me for who my cousin was, or if she was just too distressed about me being up and about to think about it.
My guess was the latter. Her face was close to mine as she continued to try to maneuver me into place.
How would she respond if I kissed her right now?
She’ll probably slap you.
Deciding to take a safer course, my hand lifted of its own accord and I cupped her cheek.
She stilled, eyes darting to mine, surprise and desire darkening the blue.
How many of those people were afforded a week of rest because Sloane stood up to Ethan for them.
Possibly took a beating for them. All so they could heal?
“I’m fine,” I insisted, enjoying how soft her skin was beneath my fingers. “We have a lot to discuss. Besides, I’m not one for laying around in bed.”
“You need to rest,” she countered, frowning at me. Gone was the coldness from last night. There was enough hesitation in her gaze that I knew she hadn’t forgotten that I was ‘Chet’s cousin’, but like me, she couldn’t seem to help herself. I liked that.
“I will,” I said, rubbing my thumb over her smooth cheek again. “After the meeting.”
The movement seemed to remind her that I was touching her and of how close she was standing, because she backed away from me. I let my hand drop.
“I brought you breakfast.” She motioned to the basket she used to bring the food over. Her hands were clasped together in front of her as though to keep herself from reaching for me.
That could be wishful thinking, so I didn’t push my luck by trying to touch her again. It shouldn’t be so hard to keep my hands to myself. Even now they twitched. The urge to place them on her hips and pull her to stand between my thighs was so strong I knew I needed a distraction.
Reaching over, I plucked a plate out of the basket and a fork. “Thank you.” There were eggs, sausage, and pancakes. I made quick work of the food, famished, while she stood there wringing her hands.
“Your back is going to take longer to heal if you refuse to take the time to rest.”
I grinned at her. “Worried about me, Angel?”
Her eyes narrowed, temper sparking in those gorgeous blue depths. “I’m not an angel.”
Cocking my head, I studied her. “Is that considered offensive because Angels are a creation of the Sky God?” I didn’t fully understand these people, their customs, or beliefs.
She shook her head. “No. But angels are free of sin.”
One side of my mouth kicked up into a smirk. “And you’re not?” I was implying sex, but the way her expression dropped told me she was thinking of something much less fun and possibly traumatizing. She was on the verge of tears.
“I’m sorry-” I started.
“It doesn’t matter.” Her heart was right there on her sleeve and I’d just been the one to rip it out of her chest.
The need to hold her and ask her what had brought the sadness to her eyes nearly overwhelmed me. Instead, I let the subject drop. She didn’t know me and certainly wouldn’t welcome comfort from me. Not yet.
Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, I sighed. Placing the now empty plate on the nightstand, I stood and picked up the shirt. Leaving her was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had to meet with Ethan.
“Wait.” She hurried over to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. I suddenly knew who’d packed it full of the clothes I’d need. She pulled something out and I watched as she approached me.
“How many things do you do around here?”
Her eyes darted away from mine. She didn’t answer my question, instead she held up the wrapping. “It’s going to hurt going on and coming off, but it’ll make it more comfortable while you’re moving around and keep your shirt from irritating your skin more than needed.”
I nodded. “Will you help me with it?”
Her cheeks pinkened, but she stepped closer. Her tits brushed against my upper abdomen when she reached around me. She was small compared to my own six-two frame, but had a strength of will that made me sure she could be a force to be reckoned with.
I inhaled her minty scent as she wrapped me in the bandage.
I gritted my teeth as my wounds tugged and pain shot through my entire body.
She was right, it hurt like hell, but it would be worth it later.
I focused on her instead. She was bent in front of me as she secured the bandage at the front so I could easily release it later.
When she was standing tall she was around five-five.
Despite her height, she wasn’t frail. Even her hideous clothes couldn’t hide the curves she was packing and I was willing to bet under that shirt she had some muscle to her.
You didn’t live a life like this without building up some strength.
My fingers twitched at my side as I once again thought about grabbing her full hips and tugging her against my body.
She was standing so close and her curves would feel like fucking heaven.
I kept my hands to myself. There were still too many unknowns here for me to give in to the lust pounding through my system right now.
I wanted to toss her onto the bed and burrow under her skirts, bury my face between her legs.
For all I knew that would get me hung. Or shot. Who the fuck knew. Plus, I still couldn’t let my guard down around her. Not until I found out how deep into this lifestyle she was.
I let her help me shrug the shirt on and I buttoned it. I ignored the over vest and coat she held out to me. Tucking in this damn shirt was the most Ethan was getting from me today. I glared down at the boots on the floor.
Sloane appeared and I bit back my pride and let her help me put on socks and those fucking boots.
In all reality I would be fine sleeping the day away today.
My body was sluggish and achy. She was right, I shouldn't be up. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been through similar things during my time with the Green Berets.
Not the beatings, though SERE school was close, but the exhaustion and muscle pain. You learned how to power through it.
“Thank you,” I told her, holding out my hand and helping her rise from the floor. The bandage did help. Every move I made wasn’t causing flames to lick over my skin any longer. “I have to go.”
“Me too,” she said, eyes darting to the clock.
“See you later?”
She gave a quick bob of her head then rushed out the door. No wonder she was always flitting about if she was helping tend to the sick and making sure people had the items they needed.
I stepped out onto my porch and watched her hurry across the compound. It was still early morning, but people were busy, bustling around. I watched them for a few minutes before making my way to Ethan’s office.