Page 45 of The Hero
“It’s good you’re learning this now. Move, woman. Please.”
So she did.
Hours later, Marlowe woke slowly in Kendric’s arms. The animals were stirring around them, so she had a feeling the owner of the farm would make an appearance soon. They needed to get up, get dressed, and start heading south for the airport.
But she couldn’t make herself move. She was still lying on top of Kendric, although they’d managed to get half the sheet draped over themselves after the last time they made love. They’d both come again and had spent at least an hour talking about their lives. Their hobbies and their likes and dislikes, and Kendric had told her more stories about his friends and some of the missions he’d been on while in the Army.
He’d also told her more about Newton, the town in Maine where he lived. Her mouth watered at hearing about Granny’s Burgers. She was fascinated by his friend who was a prince, and mentally shuddered at the thought of having to go to Liechtenstein to meet the king and queen and have some sort of formal, very public wedding ceremony, like Cal and June would be doing at some point.
She couldn’t help but think that her own ceremony had been perfect. Just her and Kendric. She’d treasure the memories of their host pouring water over their hands to bless them, of Kendric saying “I do.” And even though they’d spent their wedding night stuffed in that tiny space in the floor, it was one of the best experiences she’d ever had.
She was plastered against Kendric right that moment just as tightly as she’d been on their wedding night, but this time they were bothnaked and replete from their multiple orgasms. Marlowe was feeling mellow.
But when Kendric jerked violently under her, she was immediately on alert.
“Cal! Where’s Cal?”
“Shhhh, it’s okay,” Marlowe soothed.
“Chappy! Are you all right? Please hang in there!”
“They’re safe,” she told him, smoothing her hand down his chest, trying to calm him.
Kendric had told her that he didn’t sleep well, that he had nightmares, but up until now, she hadn’t thought much about it since he’d rarely slept at all on their journey. Apparently he’d let down his guard enough for his brain to go into REM sleep, and he was now having one of those nightmares he’d mentioned. Her heart broke for him.
“Marlowe! Run! Go, go, go!”
She blinked. He was dreaming abouther? It broke her even more, knowing that helping her escape had provided new material for bad dreams.
“Get your hands off her! No! Marlowe! I’ll get you out! I promise! Don’t give up! I’ll find you!”
“I’m right here, I’m safe,” Marlowe tried again, but Kendric wasn’t hearing her.
He sat up, dislodging her from his chest as easily as if she wasn’t even there. “I’m coming! No, get off her! Marlowe! Don’t touch her, you bastards! Nooooooo!”
The last word was more of a wail, and Marlowe was desperate to wake him now. To stop whatever was happening in his head. She climbed onto his lap, straddling him and putting her hands on his cheeks. “Kendric! Wake up! I’m right here. No one is touching me. We’re safe and in Cambodia. Please wake up!”
For a moment, she thought it wasn’t working, that he was still stuck in whatever horror he was dreaming about—but then he blinked and his gaze found hers.
“That’s it. You’re okay. We’re both okay. Wake up for me. I’m right here.”
“Marlowe?” he croaked.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Shit,” he breathed, lowering his head until his nose was buried in her neck. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Do you want to talk about your dream?”
“No.”
His response was immediate and firm.
“Okay. But you’re good. We’re both okay.”
He abruptly lay back, and Marlowe let out a surprised squeak. He held her tightly against him as he kept his eyes closed and breathed hard, obviously trying to shake the aftereffects of his nightmare.
Marlowe continued to stroke him, reassure him that she was fine, that he was too, and that it was only a bad dream.
