Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“I can get up,” she said. “I’ll back you up. The pain is less today.”
“No, sweetheart, you’re going to stay right here and defend our den. You have a couple more days to heal before we can move you up to the cabin. Let’s take care of getting you ready.”
She made a face. “Lovely. My favorite thing is waking up and having you have to take care of me like that.”
“Are you getting modest on me?” He traced her cheekbone with the pad of his finger. “I’ll go out for a few minutes and start to set things up. You’ll have some privacy that way.”
“Thanks, Diego. I appreciate everything you do for me.”
He didn’t acknowledge her gratitude. He wasn’t used to having anyone thank him or treat him the way she did. He had a bad feeling that she was capable of ripping out what was left of his heart. It wouldn’t take much to fall off the proverbial cliff with her.
He examined her before he did anything else, needing the assurance that she was healing. Each morning, he performed another healing session on her, in the hopes it would speed up the process. Without her spleen, he knew she was susceptible to infections. He wanted to stimulate her immune system and defenses as best he could. Moving her was going to be difficult on her. He wanted her in the best shape possible before they started the long trek up the mountain to his cabin.
Leila caught at his arm when he made a move to go. “Tell me what you’re going to do.”
“What I do best. Hunt.” He was abrupt and he didn’t mean to be. Those men looking for Leila had been part of the attack on her, and his intention was to leave their dead bodies for the vultures and ants. He didn’t want her to see that ruthless side of him, although it would be best if she did.
“Are you upset with me, Diego? I know it must be difficult to stay here taking care of me. I’m getting stronger, and then I’ll be able to take care of myself,” she assured him. Her voice was strong, but once again he caught that small note that tugged at his heartstrings. Deep down, she believed he wanted to be away from her.
He swore under his breath as he leaned directly over her, forcing her to tilt her head back, her vivid green eyes meeting his. “We’re a pair of idiots. You know that, don’t you? Doesn’t matter that we might have high IQs. The bottom line is we’re letting others dictate how we feel about us. Luther would not be happy with either of us.”
Her eyes widened. “My uncle?”
“The man can give a lecture, woman. You haven’t experienced the full extent of Luther’s annoyance. He’ll tell you something most likely spot-on, and if you don’t learn right there and then, he thinks you aren’t quite bright, and he has no problem letting you know.”
He found her confusion adorable. Adorable. Good grief, it was too late for him to act normal or to run. He was already gone. It made no sense unless he considered they were in life-and-death circumstances and they’d formed a bond to survive. He told himself that was the reason he was head over heels for her, but he wasn’t a man to lie to himself.
“You think Luther would lecture me?”
“I know he would. He would tell you to quit thinking you aren’t worthy of love and admiration or respect. You are. I am. We’re just doing this crazy dance around each other, and we’ve got to stop. Every time you think badly of yourself, change your thinking. Tell yourself you’re a good person.”
At once her face flushed and she lowered her chin, but not fast enough. Her eyes had welled up with tears, and she gave a little shake of her head. “I’m not, Diego. You don’t know the terrible things I’ve done. I don’t want you to think that I’m something I’m not.” She sounded near panic-stricken. Her fingers tightened on his wrist. “You can’t go out there and put your life on the line for me. You’ve already done it and you shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t have allowed it. I stayed alive because…” She broke off, turning her face away from him.
He curled his palm around the nape of her neck and traced the line of her jaw with the pad of his thumb. Her body trembled, betraying her very real agitation. “Share with me, Warrior Woman. I realize you have no reason to trust me, but I swear to you, I’ll help you figure it out.”
He knew she was used to being alone. She’d only had herself to rely on. She may have had a good early childhood with her parents, but he knew from experience that age ten was still very young. She’d had to make decisions regarding her life. Her sister had been ripped away from her—the sister she’d promised her parents she would look after.