Page 7 of Protecting Josie
Brows furrowing, she impatiently pointed at the cup of water. But Nate’s gaze didn’t leave hers.
“I’m a SEAL,” he told her. “I can take whatever they dish out. It’s only a matter of time.”
She didn’t want to listen to what he was saying anymore. She leaned forward, stuck a hand through the bars and pushed the cup closer. When hestilldidn’t look away from her, she growled, then lay on the floor to push the cup as close to him as she could manage.
It wasn’t until it was practically under his nose that Nate finally glanced down. One of his brows lifted. “Water?” he asked, as if not believing what he was seeing.
Josie nodded, but his gaze was fixed on the cup. He licked his lips, probably unconsciously. Then he finally tore his gaze from the water and looked back at her.
“Where did you get that?” he whispered, almost in awe. She pointed at the corner of the room. He probably couldn’t see the water dripping there, but he nodded anyway. Then he said, “I can’t take this. You need it.”
Josie huffed out an exasperated breath.
“I can hear your exasperation with me even in that small sound. I still can’t take your water,” he told her.
But she was done with his martyr act. She wanted to tell him that she’d had her usual cupful a couple days ago. That she could go another day or two without. Buthecouldn’t. He needed the liquid so he could stay strong.
Instead, all that came out was a small hiss.
Annoyingly, Nate smiled at her. “You’re like a small kitten, hissing in irritation.”
Josie wrinkled her nose.
“Sorry, probably not the best way to describe you if I want to stay on your good side. Are you absolutely sure?” he asked, still not reaching for the cup.
Josie gave him a small nod.
“Thank you,” he said simply, as he did his best to sit up, then reached for the cup with both hands. He couldn’t move far, not shackled the way he was, but he managed to bring thecup to his lips. Josie watched as he closed his eyes when the first drops of water hit his lips. He didn’t guzzle the liquid as she expected him to, asshe’ddone the first time she’d gotten enough to drink. Instead, he savored it, every swallow treated as if it was pure gold he was ingesting.
When the cup was empty, he placed it back on the ground and slid it toward her. His intense blue gaze met her own. “I will never forget this,” he said solemnly. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that you haven’t been given anything to eat or drink since I’ve been here either. For you to give me the water that you so desperately need…” His voice trailed off and he took a deep breath, then winced. “Ouch,” he joked. “Need to remember not to do that again.
“Sharing your water with me,” he went on in that low, serious tone. “I’ve never had anyone do anything so selfless for me before.”
Josie wanted to tell him it wasn’t that big of a deal, but deep down, she knew it was. She would suffer for her good deed. But this man was suffering more than she was. At least she wasn’t the recipient of their captors’ ire.
Reaching forward and snatching the cup back through the bars, she quickly scooted over to her spot against the wall. She carefully placed the cup back under the drip, and the first tinny sound of water hitting the bottom soothed her. For her, it was the sound of life. Literally.
Groaning, Nate eased to the floor and onto his back. “Fuck,” he muttered.
Josie couldn’t help but smile. That was the first word she’d ever heard him say, and she felt a little nostalgic about italready. Which was stupid, but then again, this wasn’t a normal situation.
Nate began to talk again, and Josie wanted to tell him to hush, to save his strength, but she couldn’t deny that his voice soothed her. Made her feel not so alone. Gave her more of that dreaded hope. Even if hope was dangerous for a woman in her situation. A nobody. Forgotten, thrown away to rot.
Having Nate there, sharing her miserable existence if only for a few days, was a boon she never expected nor thought she deserved.
If there was anything she could do to help him, she would. Without reservation. Her body was giving out. She was well aware that she couldn’t go indefinitely without food. Having water was keeping her alive, but eventually her organs would fail. One day, the captors would come in and find her rotting corpse. It was a morbid thought, but nothing much fazed her anymore.
But before she died, if she had the opportunity, she’d do what she could to help Nate.
Blink’s mind spun. What he’d just experienced…it was humbling. Spirit was slowly starving to death. It wasn’t hard to see. And yet, she’d still given up the only thing she had to sustain her life. Tohim.
He’d tried to tell her that help would be here soon, but he could see his words simply upset her. He still believed down to his soul that helpwascoming. Enough time had gone by to put together a plan for a rescue mission. He’d participated inmore than his share during his time as a SEAL to know how they worked.
He was still thirsty, but that cup of water had given him new life. He could literally feel his cells soaking up the liquid. He would’ve been okay for another couple of days, but the fact that she’d given up something she so desperately needed hit him in a way nothing ever had.
As he lay there, contemplating how big her sacrifice really was, Blink heard a sound that was completely out of place for his situation.
Forcing himself to sit up, he stared at the wall where the sound was coming from.
