Page 90 of Searching for her Heart
“I am.”
“Okay, then,” she says and I stand up and offer her my hand. She takes it and I pull her to feet. I find myself not wanting to let go of her hand as I lead her back to my cave. I eventually let go so I can get ready for bed and watch as she slips her shoes off and climbs under the blanket.
I pull my shirt over my head and watch as she gulps, her tongue peeking out to lick her lower lip. Does she like what she sees? My chest is covered in scars, but she doesn’t look repulsed. I turn away as I slip my shoes and pants off, left only in my tight boxers. I turn around and she immediately averts her gaze, like she hadn’t been watching me.Interesting…
I move around the bed and climb in beside her, being careful not to touch her and make her uncomfortable. She is a married woman after all, married to my brother…
We lay there in silence, staring at the cave ceiling. After awhile, I’m not sure if she is still awake or not as I whisper, “I’m sorry I’m an asshole, Angel.”
Her hand slips into mine, giving it a small squeeze. She says nothing, but that action helps ease the tension that had been building around us and I’m able to fall asleep clutching her hand in mine.
I slowly open my eyes, feeling warm and cozy. What was that delectable smell? I inhale, pressing my nose into the pillow and inhaling deeply. It smells like some sort of flower. I slowly blink my eyes open and see a mass of red hair.
Angel… I seem to have wrapped myself around her at some point during the night. Fuck, first I’m cruel to her, then convince her to innocently share my bed, then I practically maul her in her sleep.
My arm and leg are wrapped around her, like my body didn’t want to risk her leaving during the night. I slowly pull my limbs back, hoping she doesn’t wake and see what I did in my sleep. Luck is on my side as I climb out of bed and pull on my clothes, glancing at her closed eyes. I let go of the breath I was holding and get started on the fire and breakfast.
As I work, I think about everything that happened yesterday. I can’t believe I spoke to her like that. I feel like an absolute asshole. If she was my mate, and Indy had spoken to her like that, I would beat the living shit out of him. Had he really spent the past nine years looking for me? I’m a terrible brother, I should have checked in with him. I was just afraid he’d convince me to stay, and I’d always feel like I was holding him back from meeting someone amazing, someone likeher.
I glance over at the angel in my bed and grow more curiousabout her. She mentioned my magic like it was something to be praised, not cursed. The only person to ever treat me like that was Indy. She said they were going to come and find me, but why? To make sure I was still alive? I had so many questions, but with the silent treatment I had given her for the past few days, I knew it wouldn’t be fair to bombard her with all my questions.
Maybe I could figure out a way for us to get to know each other. I need to make a better effort with her, both for her and Indy’s sake.
When breakfast is cooking, she stirs and slowly crawls out of bed, making her way over to the fire. I can see her glancing nervously at me before she moves to sit in her usual spot across from me.
“Good morning, will you come sit beside me? Please,” I motion to the rock beside me, trying to give her a smile. But it feels foreign on my lips.
“Oh… okay.” She pauses for a moment, looking surprised before she schools her expression and sits beside me.
Why is talking to her so hard? I’m so afraid to fuck everything up by saying the wrong thing. I really don’t want to make her cry again.
“I know I’ve been treating you terribly so far, but I want to make it up to you, Angel. Will you spend the day with me? I thought I could show you some things around the oasis if you like?” I glance at her frowning face before quickly adding, “Of course, you don’t have to.”
“No, I’d like that.”
“You would?” I ask in surprise, looking at her smiling face.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re family, right?”
“Right.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I wanted to be her family, but I had a feeling she meant it in the in-law sort of way, when I wanted to be in her inner circle. My mind drifts back to the kiss she gave me when she first arrived, thinking I was Indy.Maybe I could convince her to kiss me again one day?
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her playing with her bandage, reminding me of her injury. Fuck, I was an idiot, why hadn’t I checked on how that was healing?
“I need to check your wound, make sure it’s healing well, do you mind?” I hold out my hands, motioning to hers and as she places them in mine, I quickly reach out and grab her other wrist, turning it over to look at the palm.
I gasp at the sight. Her good hand is full of slices along her palm. “Angel, what the hell happened?” I ask, with a mix of anger and shock.
“Oh… I’ve been making rope, it’s a little hard on my hands.” I quickly divert my attention to her bandaged hand and make quick work of removing the binding. Her palm is covered in blood and I grimace. “Is it that bad?” she asks, looking nervous.
“Well, it’s not good. But I don’t think it’s infected. It’s hard to tell, it’s filthy. You should have told me.” She gives me a look that saysare you kidding me?and I let the anger drop from my face. “You’re right, I didn’t exactly make you think you could come to me with something like this. But I hope that will change.”
I glance up at her face for a moment, knowing what I have to do. “I need to clean your hands.” She tries to stand, but I hold her hand firm, keeping her seated. “I need to do it here, with clean water.” She just nods, staring down at my hands like that’s a normal request. I could use the pond water, but my magic was 100% clean, plus it was a good chance to see how she really felt about it.
I sigh before speaking. “Angel, you’re not understanding me. I need to use my magic to clean your hands.” Her surprised eyes jump up to meet mine. A look of wonder crosses her face.
“Really? I’m going to get to see you use your magic… right now?” She practically squeals in delight and, like the idiot I am, I just stare at her. How could she be so excited about magic? “Apollo?”
“Yes. Right now, are you okay with that?” I ask and she nods, looking excited.
