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I smirked and drew in a deep breath, relaxing into the feeling of satisfaction. I don't remember the last time I felt this way. Every part of me was relaxed and at ease.
“I wonder how long the storm will last…”
I wished it would last forever. But, I knew that was unreasonable. “At least two more days,” I answered. “Then it should clear up.”
“What are you going to do then?”
“I don’t know, sugar. Turn myself in. I don’t want to ruin your life.”
She was silent, her arms wrapping around me. “We can think about that later, then.”
She yawned. I gently slid her off me and onto the blankets and rose, disappearing to grab two towels. I came back and cleaned the two of us up, changing out one of the blankets that definitely had ouressenceon it.
Within a few minutes, I was settling back down next to her. She was already half asleep.
I knew about human anatomy, but wasn’t as clear on human sleep cycles. But, I imagined she was exhausted. My little mate had a lot happen in a short amount of time.
I checked her ankle once more and fought the urge to fuss at her, and then pulled her close to me. She let out a soft snore, the noise making me feel warm inside.
My arms pulled her close instinctively. I found myself listening to her breaths, to her heart, savoring being so close to the other half of my soul.
My eyes began to close. I didn’t need to sleep, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to do so with her in my arms.
The storm would pass in the next two days, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance to do so again.
Every moment with her from here on out was precious.
CHAPTER8
69
Mari
I wasn’t sure how long I slept. I slowly woke up, letting out a soft groan as I realized I wasn’t alone.
Everything came to me. The show, Raider, the absolutely mind blowing sex…riding him…all of it. I’d decided to embrace my capture, and that was working in my favor.
His arms circled my waist, his chest rising and falling against my back. He was sleeping, his breaths soft. I curled against him, even though I shouldn’t let myself.
Wanting him like this should have been a crime. What was going to happen after the storm let up?
We’d eventually have to leave the cave. He said he’d turn himself in. I hated the idea of that happening.
I didn’t want to think about the future. I didn’t want to think about anything at all. But I couldn’t help it. I drew in a soft breath, wondering about Stella and Madame Moonie.
I knew they would be concerned about me. Hell, they were probably sick of dealing with the authorities and trying to find me. Stuck in the dust storm, probably worried that I was being harmed. I truly hoped Stella had heard me. The only thing I hoped was that they hadn’t called my family.
My relationship with my family was complicated. Especially with my mother. She had given me up when I was a teen, sending me off when I was fifteen. I’d lived with a friend of hers who had offered to take care of me, but the moment I was able to, I was out on my own. I worked, doing whatever I could, haunted by her words.
Don’t let me down.
I wasn’t sure how I could, and yet it felt like I constantly was. That simple phrase had drilled itself into me, pushing me to do as much as I could.
I was the oldest, the one that had left before I should have. I hadn’t been back home since, either. She had been extremely poor, and unable to take care of as many children as she had. My father had disappeared after my youngest brother was born. I had two brothers and two sisters, all of which managed to be able to stay with her because of the money I’d sent home.
Everyone was on their own now. A year ago, the money had stopped being taken. Every time I would transfer funds, they were sent back. It was probably a good sign, right? They didn’t need me anymore.
So I stopped trying.
