“Baffled? I suppose that fits well with love, since love, at least from what I have observed, can certainly confuse.” Torr pressed a firm finger to her lips before she could respond. “The only thing I want to hear from you right now is yes or no to my proposal that we wed. The rest we will sort out as we go.”
Her lovely eyes held a hundred questions, and she appeared to struggle for a response.
“Yes, or no,” he warned, “or I will kiss you senseless, and it will be you who drags me to that bed and demand I make love to you.”
Her eyes rounded wide and a blush tinted her cheeks.
He leaned his head down and whispered in her ear, “Your whole body will blush when I make love to you.”
She squeezed her eyes tight against the hungry tingles that ravaged her body. They nipped and feasted ravenously at her most intimate places. Even though she would have preferred to simply let the tingles devour her into surrendering, she had to do this right. She had to make amends for her debacle with Owen. And if it was truly love, then she and Torr could wait, for love would not disappear. It would only grow stronger.
Reluctantly, but firmly, Wintra stepped away from Torr. And just as reluctantly, he let her go.
“I want to say yes, my heart tells me to say yes—” She shook her head. “So I do not know why I hesitate in giving you an answer.”
“I will wait. Answer me when you are ready.”
“What if—”
“No what if—a simple answer is all that is needed. Now it is best we sleep so that we will be well rested to leave at sunrise.”
Wintra agreed with a nod and walked over to the bed. It was better she gave it thought, although she would no doubt think it to death and probably be no closer to an answer than she was presently. After removing her boots, and leaving her garments on, she hurried beneath the blankets, turning her back to Cree. She was relieved when he climbed in and slipped his arm around her, drawing her back snugly against him. She had to admit that she was disappointed he was fully clothed. But it was better that way, less tempting.
It did not take him long to fall asleep. Wintra could tell by his breathing, though his arm remained snug around her. She kept her eyes closed, trying to force herself to sleep, but it was useless. Her mind refused to quiet.
She did not know what had compelled her to tell Torr that she believed she had fallen in love with him. It had been an overwhelming urge that she had not been able to fight. And while she had been thrilled to hear he felt the same, his proposal had startled and frightened her. This being in love was all too new to her, and she was not sure what to make of it.
“Something troubles you?”
She was surprised that Torr was awake, but his whisper was much too soft and filled with concern to startle her. However, she was curious to what had woken him. “I am fine, but what woke you?”
“Your hand that continually squeezes my arm.”
Wintra pulled her hand away, realizing she had been doing just that.
“What troubling thoughts keep you awake?” He took hold of her hand and placed it back on his arm, his hand resting over hers and holding it there.
How was it that he could tell when something disturbed her? And how did he find such patience with her never-ending musings? And why did his touch feel so wonderfully enticing?
“No one thought in particular, but rather many that refuse to leave me alone.”
“Then tell me all your thoughts so that your mind will finally empty and you can sleep,” he said, settling more comfortably around her, as if prepared to spend the entire night listening to her.
The warmth of his body, the weight of his strength, and the thought that he would listen to her endless ramblings made her think that he had to be in love with her, for no man would have such patience. And for some reason that soothed her and her thoughts seemed to fade as her eyes drifted shut.
Torr lay there keeping Wintra close as she slept. This task had turned out far different than he had expected, though he had to admit that it had turned in his favor. Never had he expected to fall in love with Wintra and that he did, still startled him. He could understand her misgivings about being in love after what she had been through with Owen. What he could not understand was that he himself had no such uncertainties. He knew he loved this woman sleeping peacefully in his arms, and there would be no changing that no matter what happened.