Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
We’re on a truce. Maybe he won’t be a complete dick about it.
For someone as brooding as he was when I first met him, he certainly has a sarcastic sense of humor.
If it were anyone else, I’d probably like it.
Who are you kidding? You do.
I try to shoo the thoughts away. The only problem is without my brain occupied with thoughts of Alaric, the pain radiates more intensely.
Think of something else.
Anything else.
I try to imagine anything, but all I can see is Alaric walking naked toward the water. His body looks like it was cut from marble.
Yep.
I have issues.
Each step is harder than the next, and the feeling of blood trickling down my leg has me taking the steps slower.
Finally, I push through into the clearing of the beach.
Alaric must hear me because he turns in my direction and rushes over to me.
“What happened to you?”
“Would you believe me if I said I fell?”
His right eyebrow lifts, and he gives me a look that says no.
“It was worth a try.” I take another step, and now I’m standing directly in front of him.
I lift my hand to show him what I have. “I got fruit, though.” I groan.
Before I know what’s happening, Alaric has lifted me into his arms, pressing me into his chest, and carries me bridal style.
If this couldn’t be any more embarrassing, my body shivers at his warm hands on my skin.
Apparently, my good sense has taken a back seat, and my hormones are driving because I can’t seem to keep myself in check.
With each step he takes, I can feel how his muscles flex and his heart beats. I can feel everything, and I need him to put me down.
“You don’t have to carry me.”
“I do. You looked like you were in pain, and seeing as we are on an island, and I’m not sure how long we will be here, I can’t risk you getting more hurt.”
He’s right—I know he’s right—but it doesn’t make it any easier to admit.
I don’t want him to help me.
But unfortunately, I need him to. Which sucks.
Someone tell me this is not my life.
I let out a long, drawn-out sigh. One that tells him I know he’s right, and he chuckles.
When we are back to the makeshift raft bed, he sets me down. “Lie down so I can look at it.”
“You want me to lie down in there. Where we sleep?”
“Any other suggestions? I have to clean it, and seeing as I don’t want any sand getting into the wounds, our locations for this procedure are limited.”
Again, he’s right. Always the voice of reason. He’s freaking perfect and smart, and a giant ass—
“Down,” he orders again, and this time, I listen. I get into the raft and recline.
I don’t fully lie down; I want to see him when he looks at my ankle.
He steps in and then sits next to me. My breath comes out choppy as he reaches forward and places my leg on his lap.
I swear to God it feels like there is a belt around my chest that tightens with each touch of his fingers.
He lifts my ankle, rotating it slowly. Pain shoots through me, and I cringe.
“What about this?” He does the same movement in the other direction. This time, it doesn’t hurt.
“It’s just twisted. No breaks. No sprain. But I’m going to wrap it with a bandage for the rest of the day, just in case.”
“Can I walk on it?”
“I wouldn’t suggest it. Wait until tomorrow.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, it sucks, but at least it will heal. I’m not sure what will happen, but we can’t afford for it to get worse, so you’ll have to take it easy and let me take care of you.”
His words shouldn’t warm me. They shouldn’t make butterflies take flight in my stomach, but they do.
I will them to stop, but they have a mind of their own.
“Now let me clean this off, and then I’ll get you something to eat.”
He’s so gentle as he takes my leg and slowly cleans off the cut. When he places a bandage on my cut and then wraps my ankle, I swear I think I might cry. No one has treated me so delicately in my entire life. Not even my father. Sure, I know he loves me, but he was never like this.
He never treated me like I needed taking care of. Maybe it’s because I would never have allowed it. I had to fend for myself for so long.
But I would be lying to myself if I don’t admit Alaric is giving me exactly what I need.
My mind is at war with my body as Alaric sits down beside me after he cracks open a coconut.
He hands me one side and takes the other for himself.
Then he hands me a bottle of water, but what’s inside isn’t water.