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But that line of thinking was a bad idea. She’d just stay awake and listen to him breathe.
The tapping of the rain on the blankets and Hammer’s breathing seemed loud enough to drown out every other sound. His breathing was better than a lullaby, and Charlie forced herself to stay awake. She peeked out of the tent, spotting the bright moon high in the sky. It had to be close to midnight. Well, it looked like she was staying awake all night.
* * *
When she checkedHammer’s bandage next, he woke up. He pulled away from her and examined it himself. She rolled her eyes but scooted her body away from his again. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, and she wrapped her arms around them. She had been cold for a while, and her body trembled slightly with a chill.
“Are you cold?” Hammer had spotted the weakness in her body.
She shook her head. “Nope. I’m fine.”
“Why were you working with Ajmal anyway?” Hammer asked suddenly. She didn’t miss the accusatory tone in his voice.
“I’m an anthropologist. This expedition was supposed to heighten my career.” She shrugged.
“It seems you’re passionate about the work,” he said.
A small smile crossed Charlie’s face. “This work is the only thing that makes me feel alive.”
He laughed gruffly. “I know how that feels. You’re lucky to have found something like that.”
“I am lucky,” Charlie said, turning her face away from his.
THIRTEEN
HAMMER
Why the hell had she stayed?Hammer thought, almost disgusted.
He watched from where he lay as Charlie walked into the clearing. She was picking more of her herbs. Hammer wasn’t sure if the herbs were actually doing anything.
But he couldn’t deny that he felt better.
But why the hell had she stayed?He was feeling a combination of irritation and admiration. His mate was a stubborn one, it seemed.
Instead of leaving him and going to get help, she had stayed to look after him. She had probably saved his life. But here she was, freezing cold and hungry. She was uncomfortable, no matter how vehemently she denied it.
Hammer also knew she hadn’t stayed because she cared about him. Maybe she thought it was in her best interests. Maybe she thought she’d have a better chance once he was healed.
Hell, maybe it was the mating bond subconsciously forcing her to stay. Whatever it was, Hammer was grateful that he was alive.
All he wanted was to live long enough to kill Ajmal.
He watched as she walked back to the makeshift tent. He averted his eyes from her body. The way her hips swayed sent several very pleasant thoughts crashing through his mind.
Hammer really did not want to think about her like that. Even if she was his mate. That would make this entire thing too awkward for him.
He just had to get her home safely. Then he could forget about her.
But he still marveled at the fact that she had stayed. She could have saved herself instead of helping him.
There had been enough supplies in his duffel bag to get her to the next town. She could have moved quickly enough to have a real roof overhead.
Hammer wasn’t used to the type of kindness she was showing him. His time in prison had shown him the worst of humanity. He had been subjected to the worst cruelty that the world had to offer. Being with Charlie was like a balm to his wounds.
Hammer’s mind went to the scars on his back. They had started healing a long time ago.
The scars came from whips and claws. They came from fights for sport. Fights he had been forced into.
