Chapter 10

I liked the feel of her hands on me. Her fingers were soft, and her touch was gentle as she applied the antibiotic ointment and gauze to the wounds that covered my back. They still hurt, though I tried not to focus on it too much.

I tracked her progress as she worked her way across my back, cleaning and caring for each wound. Her light scent wrapped around me, teasing my nostrils and warming my blood. Lily intrigued the hell out of me. Though I'd had my share of affairs, I'd never been particularly close to a woman before. I'd certainly never spent so much time with one. It was... different.

I was used to caring for myself, trusting only myself and the men I worked with. I still wasn't entirely sure I could trust Lily. She hadn't given me a reason not to, but trust didn't come easily to men like me. I'd seen firsthand how evil people could be. They put on a fa?ade, portraying goodness when it was the furthest thing from the truth. I'd witnessed mothers sacrifice their children for drugs, money, and men.

Lily... I didn't know what to think about her. Though I'd spent nearly every waking moment with her, she continued to surprise me. And I didn't like what I didn't understand. She was friendly and professional at work, yet she seemed to keep to herself. She hadn't mentioned any close friends and rather than go out at night, she would knit while watching old reruns on TV. She seemed to be genuinely concerned for my welfare, even now caring for me to ensure my cuts didn't become infected.

What I still couldn't figure out was why. Was she working with Ara?a's men, keeping me close and attempting to lower my guard until they could move in? I didn't want to believe it of her, but listening to my gut had saved my life, and I couldn't turn off a lifetime of training. I couldn't help but be suspicious of everything and everyone. I'd vetted lovers carefully in the past, observing each to make sure I wouldn't end up with a blade between my ribs.

Lily seemed too pure, too honest to do something so low. But it didn't mean others weren't out there, watching and waiting for the right time. The question was... was she aware?

"Almost done," her sweet voice murmured near my ear.

Her hair brushed my shoulder as she leaned in closer, tenderly dabbing at a laceration along my triceps. The long strands were soft and silky, and I had the sudden urge to sift my fingers through them.

I was acutely aware of the way she'd checked me out earlier, stumbling over her words as her gaze raked over my naked flesh. I felt the same. The sweats she wore hugged her body, and I wished I could strip them away, expose the sweet curves that lay beneath. I wanted to run my hands over her hips, mold my palms to her thighs and ripe, round ass. I wanted to bury my face between her tits and breathe her in, kiss every inch of her.

It was a disconcerting notion. I hadn't desired a woman this much in years. Maybe ever. I felt an intense attraction to her, the need to know what her skin felt like under mine.

Lily straightened and moved to stand in front of me. "Do you want to take care of the rest? I?—"

Her words abruptly cut off as she stumbled. My hands shot out of their own accord, curling into her hips to steady her. She sucked in a breath, and the bandages and ointment hit the ground as she swayed unsteadily. Her hands clamped onto my shoulders for support, her nails digging into the flesh. I winced ever so slightly as her grip tugged on an open wound.

Almost instantaneously she released me, an expression of mortification ripping across her pretty features. "I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?"

She leaned forward, glancing over my shoulder at the cut. "I can't believe I did that. I'm so clumsy. I... I should have been more careful."

She pressed her hands to her chest as she stared down at me, anguish written across her face. I'd never seen anything like it. She felt bad... for hurting me.

My hands still rested on her hips, and I squeezed ever so gently. Staring up at her, watching her as she studied me, I was nearly overcome with the desire to pull her into my lap. My blood felt thick and sluggish as it pumped through my veins, pooling in my groin and stirring my senses. I wanted to pull her down to me, cover her lips with my own, taste her... devour her.

Her chest rose and fell on stilted breaths, and her pupils were wide with shock as she stared down at me. It was too much, too soon. I knew that. Just two nights ago she'd rescued me; I was still a stranger to her, as she was a stranger to me. But I couldn't stem the desire I felt for her. If she wasn't involved, I didn't need to drag her into it. My world was far too dark for someone like Lily. I needed to do what was right and put distance between us before things got out of hand.

It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to uncurl my fingers and release her. She blinked rapidly, then finally stepped away, cheeks burning bright red. "I'll um…"

Her gaze bounced around the room, looking at everything but me. "I'm going to shower and get ready for bed. I'll let you take care of the rest. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

With that she escaped, practically slamming the bathroom door in her wake. Sinking into the chair, I dropped my head back and stared at the ceiling. Fuck. I knew it was the right thing to do. So why did it feel so wrong?

Scooping the first aid materials off the floor, I took care of the wounds I could reach. Lily exited the bathroom almost the exact same time I finished, and she offered an uneasy smile. "Do you need anything before bed?"

I shook my head, and she glanced at the living room. "Will you…" She bit her lip, seeming to second guess herself. "Will you be comfortable out here?"

I dipped my chin but, if possible, her brows seemed to draw even closer together. She gnawed on her lower lip for a second, arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Part of me wanted to go to her, to soothe her worries away. But she had a right to be concerned. I had no idea where Ara?a's men were, or if they might find us. I had to stay on guard, which meant keeping her at arm's length.

"Well…" Her mouth twisted into a tight smile, and she took a step backward. "Good night."

She abruptly turned on a heel and disappeared down the hallway and into her room. I watched her go, a strange feeling swirling in my chest. I ruthlessly shoved it away and turned my attention to the house.

I made a circuit of the interior, checking each window as I had last night. They were all secure, still locked. Comforted by that knowledge, I headed outside. Darkness had fallen, and I stood on the back porch for a moment, absorbing everything around me.

The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light illuminating the backyard. Insects chirped and called to one another, and I closed my eyes for a moment as I listened. It reminded me of the night I'd run through the woods. I'd lived in the city for the past two decades, and the woods were more than a little unsettling.

Everything out here was unfamiliar to me. Even though Fox's compound was located on the outskirts of town where it was quiet, it was nothing like this. I was used to the sounds of cars and people moving about at all hours. This far from town there were no loud voices carrying on the air, no vehicles traveling the roads. Here there were only the animals who roamed the night.

I stepped off the porch and into the soft, cool grass, reveling in the feel of it against my bare feet. The dew was slick and fragrant, and I breathed deeply as I cut across the yard. The air seemed so much fresher up here in the mountains, clean and crisp.

And the stars. I'd never seen so many of them. The bright city lights and the smog that hung in the air blocked them out, but here I could see every one shining brightly as diamonds against a velvet backdrop. It was strange, yet perfect.

Once I'd confirmed that everything was secure, I headed back into the house. Everything was still and quiet, and I wondered if Lily was asleep yet. I wished she had a computer here at the house, though I knew the lack of internet wouldn't help me.

When I'd taken Lily's phone yesterday, I'd discovered that nearly a month and a half had passed since I'd been taken captive by Ara?a's men. I was shocked at how much time had passed. The days in that cell had bled together, day indistinguishable from night, the hours filled with pain as the men pushed me to the breaking point over and over.

Though they'd tried everything to extract information from me, I refused to give in. I owed Fox my life, and I would never sell him out. I was no longer useful to them, and I knew my time was up. There was no doubt in my mind that they would have killed me had I not escaped. It brought to mind once more my concerns of Lily's involvement—or lack thereof.

On silent feet, I wandered down the hall toward Lily's room. Surprisingly her door was open, and I peered around the edge of the door frame, keeping the bulk of my figure out of sight.

I wasn't certain how long I stood there, just watching her as she slept. One hand dangled over the side of the bed, and my gaze was drawn to her lean, long fingers. It was fascinating to watch her assemble elaborate arrangements, or nimbly knit wool into an intricate design. She was incredibly artistic. Smart. Funny.

And mouthy. The corners of my lips twitched. Not many people would dare stand up to me, but Lily didn't care. She had no idea how dangerous I was. Or maybe she somehow knew I would never hurt her.

As I watched her, something shifted inside me. I'd met women far more beautiful than Lily. But in this moment, I couldn't recall a single one of them. She stirred a part of my heart that I'd thought long dead.

I found that I did trust her, and part of me wanted to tell her everything. She was innocent, almost naive, and far too good. I wouldn't allow anything—or anyone—to hurt her. As long as I was here, I would protect her.