Page 22 of Ash
ChapterEighteen
Ash
Lainey was the most infuriating pig-headed woman I had ever met.
And that was saying something because I'd been alive a long time. If I’d had any hopes that the several orgasms I’d given her last night would make her change her mind about her stupid quest to find out what was up the mountain that shadowed her home, then they were dashed the second she caught me wiping away the dire wolf footprint I had found outside the tent.
But it did make me wonder one thing. Had I wanted to get caught? I’d heard her wake up, caught her scent coming closer and I'd still done it so she had seen me. And if that was true why?
Why did I want her to know about my world so badly? But then I knew the answer to that as well. If she knew the truth about the dires, she would know the truth about me as well. She would know I was the one to get her to safety.
She would know I wasn't a human.
“Ash.” She panted behind me as we trudged up through the snow on the road. Her wrecked car was somewhere behind us. Lost in the whiteout. The others would find it at some point today and then they would find the note I had left them. They would have my back on this even if they thought I was crazy taking her up alone.
Hell, my teammates thought I was crazy full stop. They didn't understand why I couldn't just do what Oz had done. Charm the girl until she gave in. Do the whole courting thing. Why did i have to be a low-level stalker?
Slowing my feet, I turned to her. Lainey was a few steps behind me. Her face flushed and her cheeks puffed out as she struggled to catch up. Instantly I felt guilty. I'd been going too fast tabbing out at a pace that was more suited to my brothers in the SAF.
“You are going too fast,” she mumbled through her laboured breaths. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself but she was still shivering.
“I know sorry I forgot you're not used to this.” Curling my arms around her shoulders, I brought her into the warmth of my chest. Lending her some of my body heat. “You're freezing. Here.” Easily I slipped the hoodie over my head. Leaving me in nothing but my fatigues and a black T-shirt. I’d already bundled her up with as many layers as I could from my pack. All of my things swamped her but I had to admit she looked adorable wearing my clothes. And the way she kept hoisting up the trousers as they slipped over her hips was legitimately the cutest thing I'd ever seen.
“Put that on.” Like she was a child, I helped her into it. It was so big it covered all of her, from neck to knees even with all the layers she had on. Standing back i admired her for a second. There was no hint of those beautiful curves under all those clothes but I knew they were there and they made my mouth water.
“You're going to get cold.” She snuggled down into it as I shouldered my pack again. “I don't want you to catch your death. I can do without-”
Silencing her with my lips I took a second to just enjoy my time with her. She might drive me crazy, this might be a fool's errand but I was spending time with her and she didn't pull away when I kissed her. Her rosy-cheeked face lifted to mine.
“I'll be fine, I don't feel the cold much and.” I cracked a grin. “Big strong man remember.”
A small smile curved her lips against mine. “You're so strange Ash but I like it.”
“Good, I'm glad.” and I was glad. “Are you ok to carry on or shall we head back?” I eyed her shoulder warily. She was holding that side of her body stiffly. The shoulder a little higher than the other. I didn't like the pain she was trying to hide from her face either. I’d patched her up as much as I could but doing anymore, might have … prolonged effects. Ones that she might not welcome.
Although I definitely would.
“I want to keep going. We are almost there now anyway.”
She had a point there, we were almost there. A mile maybe a little more and we would be at the shacks where they had kept her prisoner overnight. Even the memory of it made me clench my fists at my side.
“I could carry you.”
For a second she looked sceptical and then her laughter rose up. Loud enough that it echoed around us.
“What?” dumbfounded i stared at her. “What's so funny?”
“You.” She cackled even more. “Now.'' She sobered up catching the look on my face. “I don't doubt you could pick me up, but carry me and your pack up-”
I didn't let her finish, lifting her easily lifted her up to eye level. My own smile matched hers. “Wanna bet Lainey? Wrap your legs around me and let's get this show on the road.”
Giggling, she did as she was asked. “Oh, what a strong man you are.”
“You haven't seen anything yet.” I joked back as I began to walk again. “I have a lot to show you when we get back.”
Lainey’s eyelashes fluttered, her eyes became hooded. “Is that right? Like what?”
We both knew what. But I could play this flirty game if she wanted to. “Oh, you will have to wait and find out Lainey.” Dipping my head I placed a kiss on the end of her cold nose. “But it involves a lot less clothes than we have on now.”
