Page 78 of The Spare

I close my eyes, digging my fingers into the fabric of his shirt as a fresh sob hitches in my throat. The cold terror still lingers at the edges of my mind. But his solid presence keeps me from slipping under.

For the first time since the incident occurred, the frantic pounding in my chest begins to sync with Sam’s grounding heartbeat. I don’t know who is coming after us, or how much more we can endure. But so long as he’s near, I’ll try to remain calm.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sam

The ride back to Sutter Creek is completely quiet, save for the low hum of Shep’s truck engine cutting through the dark night. I keep my right hand locked around Lexi’s, my thumb tracing steady, rhythmic circles over her knuckles. I haven’t let go of her once since we stepped out of the hospital doors. Not while helping her into the truck, and not while traveling the winding back roads.

Thank heavens Shep drove me to the hospital and back. I’m not sure I would’ve made it there without crashing into a tree. I’d never been so frantic. When he pulls up in front of the house, I thank him and tell him to call if he needs anything tomorrow. I plan to stay inside the house with Lex. Everything else will have to wait. I open her door and reach up to gather Lexi in my arms.

“Sam, I can walk,” she chastises. Her voice still sounds frail from crying.

“I know.” I bury my face in her soft hair as I pull her tight against my chest. “I don’t care.” I carry her up the front porch steps, through the dark foyer, and straight to our bedroom. The room is dimly lit by the bedside lamp I’d left on this morning.

Jesus. That seems like a lifetime ago.

I set Alexis down on the edge of the plush king bed with agonizing care, terrified that if I move too fast or hold her too tight, I’ll hurt her. She sits quietly, her tear-stained eyes watching my every move as I kick off my boots and toss my jacket onto the couch. I drop down onto my knees right in front of her, gently removing the hospital socks she was given and sliding them off her feet. Another tremor runs through her body. It makes my heart ache.

“You’re shivering,” I say, my thumbs rubbing warm circles over her feet and ankles.

“It’s residual adrenaline, I think,” she offers with a quivering smile. “I’m not cold.”

I don’t say a word. I stand up and grab a soft, faded flannel shirt of mine and a pair of her lounge pants. Walking back into the bedroom, I sit down beside her. “Let’s get you out of these clothes.” I help her peel off her wrinkled work attire, my hands careful. I need to ensure every move I make is purely about comfort and protection. I leave her bra and panties on.

“Do you want to take a shower?”

She nods.

I head into the adjoining bathroom to turn on the shower, letting the room warm up while I return to her side. “Okay. I’ll help as much or as little as you want.” I lift her into my arms and carry her into the bathroom. “I’ll be right here.” I point to the spot just outside the shower door before turning my back to her and reaching for a large, fluffy towel to bundle her in once she’s done.

Moments later, I hear the water turn off before her hand touches my arm.

Spinning to face her, I keep my eyes fixed on hers and hold out the towel for her to walk into. There’s no way after all of the years I’ve waited to see this woman naked that I’m taking advantage of her in this vulnerable state.

Wrapping my arm around her towel-clad body, I escort her to the bed, where I offer my oversized flannel. She smiles up at me, and I again close my eyes long enough for her to slip it over her arms. With a tug on my shirt, I open my eyes to find she’s slowly buttoning it up to her chin. I hold out her lounge pants, helping her stand while she carefully pulls them up her trembling frame.

Alexis buries her face in the collar of my shirt, taking a deep, shuddering breath. Moments later, I watch the tight knot of tension in her shoulders finally begin to loosen.

I step back into the bathroom, wringing out a cloth under warm water. When I return, I sit back down on the edge of the mattress and cup her jaw with one hand, using the warm cloth with the other to delicately wipe away the dried mascara from her eyes.

“Better?” I stare into her eyes, my chest tight with a terrifying mix of relief and lingering fury at what happened to her.

And love. An undeniable, all-encompassing love.

“Much. Thank you.”

I set the damp cloth on the nightstand, but I can’t bring myself to pull my hand away from her face. After a few minutes, I turn back to the bed and pull the heavy duvet back. “Climb in, baby. Snuggle under the covers.”

She slides under the blankets, resting her head against the pillows. I stand there at the foot of the bed, my gaze lingering on her. Every instinct in my body screams at me to stay right here, to keep her protected. But I would never want her to think I’m taking advantage of this situation. I need to know she’s comfortable and safe.

“Sam?” her sweet voice breaks the silence as she lifts the edge of the duvet.

“Are you sure?” I know we’ve crossed the line, sharing a bed since Rosario questioned our sleeping situation. But other than the mornings we’ve woken entwined, we’ve both kept to our side of the bed. However, I need Lexi to take the lead on this.

“Yes. Please?”

I snap off the bedside lamp, leaving only the soft moonlight filtering through the balcony doors, and climb into the bed beside her. “Do you want me to keep the bathroom light on?”