"Then lie down here beside me or I shall push myself from this bed, no matter how much it pains me."
She stood. "Do not be ridiculous."
"I mean it," he warned.
She did have the door locked so that no other patrons would enter this room. And truth be told, she was exhausted.
"Very well." She moved to the opposite side of the bed and lay down, fully clothed. She was certain she could almost sleep standing up if she had to, or lying on the hard wooden floor. She lay down on the mattress and sighed at the softness. She was too groggy to be embarrassed about sleeping beside a man she was powerfully drawn to. Besides, he was too injured to do anything scandalous. "Promise me you will wake me if you need anything," she told him.
"I promise."
Mairiana did not remember going to sleep, but when she awoke she was pressed up against someone warm. Her eyes popped open.Darack.
In the faint dawn light coming in the window, she saw that his eyes were closed. She scooted back away from him a few inches. For some reason, she had slid or rolled toward him in her sleep, but he had not moved from his spot.
Turning his head, he frowned, then observed her from his soulful dark eyes. "How did you sleep?"
"Well." She turned onto her back, planning to sit up and slip off the other side of the bed, but he caught her wrist. He used the hand of his good arm, she noted.
"Rest a bit longer. 'Tis still early."
"Do you want to eat?"
"Mayhap later." He sighed. "I'm so tired of lying on my back."
"Let me help you turn onto your right side. Do you think the movement will make your arm hurt worse?"
"I'll try it and see." Holding his injured arm, he twisted and turned until he rested on his right side, facing her. He ground his teeth and growled a bit, but the longer he relaxed, the easier his breathing became.
"Is that better?" she asked.
"Aye. Lie here close in front of me."
Why did he wish this? Unsure what to say, she bit her lip and eyed him questioningly.
When he opened his eyes, he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Naught. I'm just uncertain why you want me to lie so close to you."
"'Twill be a great comfort to me. I'm lying on my good arm and my free arm is so injured I cannot lift it. There is no way I can ravish you."
Heat rushed over her face. She didn't truly believe he would ravish her. Certainly not in his current state, and probably not if he was well, either. Feeling highly uncomfortable, she lay down on her back, stiff as a board, and stared at the ceiling.
"Face the window and scoot back against me."
She did as he asked, sliding back a bit but not enough to touch him.
"More."
"I fear I will injure you further."
"Nay, 'tis not possible. You're a soft and gentle lass. How could you possibly injure me?"
Her face flamed even hotter but she slid back until she felt his hard body all along hers.
"Thank you for everything you've done," he murmured.
Wanting to look at him, she turned her head a bit.
