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Of course, he would have to be a good man. One who would protect her and treat her well, and Reeve would make certain of it. He wouldn’t let just any man trail after Tara. After all, he was the one who found her and helped her. It was his duty now to see her safe.
With that satisfying thought in mind, Reeve finally fell asleep.
Reeve wiggled his nose, trying to get whatever caused the pesky tickle off. Though he had to admit there was a nice scent to it, sweet with a touch of pine. He slowly opened his eyes and as he did he saw another pair of eyes opening as well.
Both pairs of eyes shot wide open, and Reeve realized that he and Tara had rolled toward each other sometime in the night, and he had wrapped himself around her. She, in turn, had snuggled into his arms, and there they rested, nose to nose.
When she had finally realized the same, she scrambled to get away from him, but her cloak and his plaid had become entwined, and there was no getting out of it.
“We can’t be this close,” she pleaded.
“I have not died yet,” he said with a teasing laugh.
“It is not funny. You are in danger being this close to me.”
“Why? If you help me to understand where the danger comes from, perhaps I can help you.”
“You can’t help,” she said adamantly. “Why can’t you just believe me and let it be?”
“Because it makes no sense,” he said, realizing that when she had struggled to free herself, she had inadvertently forced her body closer against his, and she fit snugly against his suddenly growing mound. “You’re right; this isn’t a good time for this discussion.”
He hoped she didn’t feel him springing to life against her, and so he hurried to untangle them. She helped. Their hands and arms wound around each other as they tried desperately to disengage themselves.
When it was done, they rushed to separate, each taking a deep breath of relief when finally apart.
“I’ll see if the snow stopped,” Reeve said, needing a shot of brisk, cold air right now.
He took an even deeper breath once outside. He was relieved to see that the snow must have stopped early in the night, only a few inches having covered the ground. They could continue their journey home.
He entered the cottage, glad that the cold air had tamed his desire and pleased that they could be on their way.
“Can we leave?” she asked with concern, before he had a chance to speak.
He nodded and smiled. “Only a few inches, though there are drifts. We can leave now, or I can hunt, and we can eat then—”
“I’m not hungry,” she said, interrupting him. “Perhaps later, unless, of course, you’re hungry?”
“I can wait,” he said, preferring to get started as well.
Reeve saw to putting out the fire while Tara gathered her things and once more hung her bundle on her back. They were on the road again in no time.
There wasn’t much chance for chatter, focus was essential. There was no telling what was hiding beneath the fallen snow. More than once, Tara almost fell from her boots catching on a hidden rock or fallen branch.
Reeve had been quick to grab her arm and steady her. She didn’t object, but then there was no need for him to wrap her in his arms as he had done in the snowstorm. And he thought what a shame. He actually wouldn’t mind holding her again.
Where had that thought come from?
Sure, she had felt good in his arms.Damn good.
He shook his head. He didn’t need to be thinking about this.
“Something wrong?” she asked from behind him.
“Nothing,” he said, not turning around.
“You shook your head.”
“Clearing it,” he said truthfully.
