She’d been certain she’d die without ever walking on dry land again.
Talon let out a string of curses as he fought to keep the boat from capsizing. “What the hell are you doing?”
She ignored him, splashing through the last few feet of icy water and then running several yards up the beach. Sinking to her knees, she pressed her forehead against the grainy white sand in utter thanksgiving. The tears of relief and regret she’d been holding back came in a rush, streaming down her cheeks while harsh sobs racked her body.
She was alive! They had made it despite impossible odds, and she was suddenly ashamed of herself for the horrible things she’d said to Talon. He might have seduced her, but he had also saved her life.
If he was the heartless bastard she’d accused him of being, he would have left her to die with Daniel. He’d had nothing to gain by bringing her along.
The boat glided up on the beach, and Talon got out. He traipsed back and forth, carrying the supplies from the boat to a small stand of strange-looking trees about fifty feet inland.
He made no attempt to stop and ask her if she was all right.
Up until twenty minutes ago, he would have. He would have tried one more time to reach out to her, risking her nasty comments. She’d finally managed to push him away.
She lifted her head to see him kneeling beside a few pieces of wood, struggling to make a spark with a piece of flint. She watched him for several long moments, her guilt growing as she noticed the utter exhaustion in his cloudy blue eyes and the defeated slump in his broad shoulders.
In contrast, she thought of the excitement and confidence shining on his beautiful bruised face when he’d woken her. She’d taken that away from him, after he’d gone without sleep and most of his share of the food and water for the last few days.
Unsteady, she got to her feet and crossed the distance that separated them. It felt like a dozen miles instead of a dozen yards. By the time she reached him, he’d managed to get the fire started. A small, hungry flame licked at the kindling, growing stronger and brighter.
It had been so long since she’d been warm. She longed to sit beside him and soak up the fire’s meager heat, but there were too many things that needed to be done. Talon was at the end of his strength. It was long past time to help him.
Despite the anger and resentment simmering between them, they had to work together. Reaching dry land didn’t guarantee safety. Any number of things could go wrong before they managed to find their way back to civilization.
She sorted through their supplies, pleased to see there was enough food and fresh water to last a couple more days. Until now, she hadn’t appreciated the effort he had made to see they were prepared. Now she understood why he’d fought so hard to make sure they got this boat.
She spread out the blankets, making a bed a few feet away from the fire. Talon glanced at her, and she wondered if he thought she was once again putting her needs before his. She didn’t blame him if he did. Lord knew she hadn’t been at her best these last few days.
Gathering her courage, she dug out a fresh pair of breeches and a warm flannel shirt. “Here,” she said, offering the clothes as a gesture of peace. “Why don’t you change out of those damp clothes and try to sleep for awhile? You’ve been watching over me for days. Let me take care of you now.”
He eyed her warily, and then his gaze flicked past her, resting on the bed. “No, you go ahead. It’s going to get cold tonight. I don’t want to let the fire go out.”
“I can keep the fire going.” She shook the dry clothes in his direction. “Come on. Just take a little nap. We’ve got a few hours before dark. You’ll be of no use to me if you drop dead from exhaustion.”
He sighed and took the clothes from her hand. “I am tired,” he admitted, pulling his damp shirt over his head and tossing it on the sand.
She watched, unable to tear her gaze from the broad, golden expanse of his chest. He fumbled with the buttons on the soft flannel, lacking his usual dexterity. She batted his hands away and buttoned it for him, pierced with longing when her knuckles brushed the satiny warmth of his skin.
“Thanks.” He gave her a searching gaze and attempted a wry smile. “Would you like to help me with my breeches, too?”
She pulled away, remembering all the reasons why she was angry with him. “No, thank you. Never again.”
“Can’t blame me for trying.” He shook his head then crawled over to the blankets and collapsed upon them in utter exhaustion. “Wake me when it gets dark. I’ll keep the wild things at bay.”
“You are one of the wild things,” she chided, reaching over and tucking the blankets around him. “Who’s going to keep me safe from you?”
His breathing deepened almost immediately, and she sat back on her heels, watching his face in the flickering light. With a sigh, she returned to the fire, reflecting morosely on everything that had led them to this moment.
Her gaze was drawn again to the long fan of his lush lashes, the bristly growth of beard on his lean jaw. He looked so tousled and vulnerable in sleep. Even after everything that had happened, she had to fight the urge to go to him and smooth the worried frown from his brow.
If only she could believe the things he’d told her this afternoon.
He’d sworn he’d never lied to her. She didn’t want to admit she’d been a fool, so hungry for love and acceptance she’d made herself an easy target. But it had been painfully easy for him to win her trust.
Unfortunately, her trust had been a fragile thing. It had taken very little to destroy it.You never loved me. You never even knew me.His words, and the disappointment lacing them, haunted her. He’d made it sound as though her love should have been stronger than Daniel’s revelations.
But how dare he demand such blind loyalty when he’d never once told her that her love was returned? She sighed and buried her face in her hands, ignoring the encroaching darkness.
Perhaps she should try to restrain her anger long enough to listen to whatever it was he had to say. Regardless, she would let him sleep through the night. He needed his strength for what lay ahead.
