Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
I thought he’d lead me to the bedroom then, but instead he lifted me into his arms and carried me. There was an older woman in the room. She was thin and wiry with sun-leathered skin and long gray hair kept in a thick braid down her back. A look of concern was on her face as she approached us.
“Put her on the bed, Deadeye.” Her tone was authoritative, like she was used to being obeyed. He set me down before brushing a kiss on my forehead, then stepped back. The woman sat on the edge of the bed next to me, giving me a kind smile. “They call me Mama. I was a doctor in another life. An Army surgeon. Now, I try to help out where I can. Me and Pops took this bunch in like they were our own. That includes you now.” She reached for my chin, gently tilting my head back, turning it this way and that, obviously getting a look at the bruising on my neck. When she finished, she looked away with a scowl. “I know of one child of mine who’s gettin’ a spankin’,” she muttered.
“I promised her I’d give him a beatin’.” Deadeye leaned against the wall, one arm resting on his hip. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, but that was it. And, oh, my God, the man was seriously built!
The muscles over his chest and abdomen were thick and defined. His arms and shoulders powerful. Prominent veins ran under his skin in a sexy display, a testament to how fit he was. I couldn’t help but remember the kiss he’d given me earlier. It had been the most erotic event of my life, and I wanted more. Now more than ever. I wanted to know what it was like to have his body work mine into a frenzy. I knew he could do it easily. Just looking at him made me hot and uncomfortable. Now, I knew what all the fuss was about. Any sexual attraction I’d thought I’d experienced before was nothing compared to the pull I had toward the man calling himself Deadeye.
“Aren’t you going to get dressed?” To my embarrassment, my voice was nothing more than a squeak.
Deadeye gave a low chuckle. “I’ll get dressed when you get dressed. Mama has to look you over first, so I’ll wait. We’ll get dressed together.”
For some reason, that struck me as considerate when it really shouldn’t have. He was practically naked. As was I. But it just felt like he knew I was uncomfortable and was showing solidarity. It was just a small thing, but it made me feel like he was throwing himself in there with me. Like we were a team or something. Which was silly. But I really wanted it to be that way, and once my mind seized on the notion, I was stuck with it.
Mama was gentle and didn’t expose me or embarrass me in any way. She just made sure I wasn’t hurt and that I was rebounding now that I had warmed up. I was still chilled, but I felt better. More alert. My mind wasn’t nearly as fuzzy as it had been, but I was exhausted.
“I think you’ll be fine.” Mama smiled as she stood, patting my knee as she did. “If that ankle gives you trouble let me know. You were lucky, young lady. Thankfully there were three talented hunters tracking you and one very strong, very stubborn, very regretful man able to lift that log off you.”
I looked over at Deadeye. “Sword?”
He nodded. “Yeah, baby. He was out the window with me from the very moment I realized you’d run.”
That both surprised me and made me feel bad. I’d written him off. But, I mean, he’d nearly strangled me to death!
“I’m grateful.” I was ashamed to admit it, but that was as much as I could manage at the moment.
Mama smiled. “I’ll let Deadeye know the extent of Sword’s injuries tomorrow. He’s currently in my clinic waiting for me to finish with you. Do you mind if I let him know you’re OK? He’s done nothing but ask after you, and the man is in a lot of pain.”
“He has?” I looked away. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to feel, but I was at rock bottom. “Probably wants to know if he needs to finish the job.” I hadn’t really meant to say that out loud, but the second I did I regretted it. “I’m sorry. That was petty.” I’d been fighting tears for hours now. Since Sword had attacked me. Now, I knew I’d reached my limit. Despite still trying to fight them off, the tears came. I swiped at them angrily, but they still fell. “I’m sorry.” The little sob that escaped couldn’t be helped. I was on the verge of losing my self-control. When that happened, I wanted everyone away from me.