The ground rocked and the blast of light nearly blinded Tucker. He yelled a warning to Johnson, but as his friend’s body was thrown next to him on the rocky ground, he knew it was too late.
Tuck jerked awake, panting and sweating. He looked slowly around the dark room. Snow still fell gently outside, but there was an almost ethereal light to the scene. Maryn slept soundly in the bed. She’d rolled onto her back and he wondered if he should move her, but it didn’t seem to be hurting her. Braxton kept reassuring him that the cuts weren’t that deep and Maryn would heal quickly. He hoped so.
Standing and shaking out his arms, he tried to shake off the dream. He had them often, and usually Johnson was killed in them. He didn’t know what that meant and hoped if he and his friend were ever in danger again, Tucker could protect him. He’d actually saved Johnson’s life in a scrimmage in Afghanistan, so maybe the dreams were just aftereffects of that.
Rolling his neck, he knew he needed to lie down and get a decent night’s sleep. He went into his bathroom, brushed his teeth, and put on a clean t-shirt and some sweats. Walking past his bed, he told himself to go down to one of the guest bedrooms, but he didn’t want to leave Maryn. He loved being around her and if she should awaken and be scared or need something, he wanted to be here.
He circled the bed and lay down on top of the covers. It felt so good to stretch out his back. Glancing over at the beautiful woman sleeping next to him, Tucker gently placed his hand over hers. He smiled to himself. He could get used to sleeping like this.
* * *
Maryn’s sleep was weird. Dreams about Tuck and James fighting over her. In the background there was this scary bald dude who was following her and James. Sometimes the bear would appear and Max would be snarling and jumping at the grizzly then she’d see Tuck again like he was that night—so strong and majestic with the gun in his hands. She awakened and realized she’d rolled onto her back. “Ouch,” she whispered.
“Maryn?” Tucker was not in his spot in the chair, he was in the bed right next to her. Oh, my. This could be interesting.
“Hey,” she groaned. She didn’t want to roll away from him so she sat up, grateful the motion didn’t hurt too much. “Did I wake you?”
“No.” Tucker sat up next to her. “I just laid down to… stretch my back out.”
“You should be able to sleep in your own bed. I’ll go down to one of the other rooms. You didn’t get any sleep last night because of me and now you’re hurting your back. Man, I’m an insensitive jerk.”
Tucker smiled at her in the dimly lit room. Maryn’s breath caught. He was a beautiful man and that rugged edge with the longish hair and huge body really did it for her. She glanced around. This was really intimate. She didn’t know him that well and she’d definitely overstayed her welcome in his bed. She should go.
“I was too worried to sleep last night and I didn’t want to leave you tonight in case you needed something. Do you need medicine or a drink or food? You hardly ate anything.”
“I’m feeling okay,” Maryn said. “Besides, what are you doing sounding like me, talking too much and too fast?”
He laughed. “I guess I feel a little awkward that I laid down by you. Would your boyfriend mind?”
Maryn scowled, wishing she hadn’t said anything about that earlier. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she said too forcefully. “He thinks he is, but honestly I’m not committed to anyone.” Silence fell for a little while and it felt stifling. “I’m sorry I’ve taken over your bed. I’ll get out of here.”
“No, please. I…” he cleared his throat. “Want you close.”
Her breath caught at the honesty of his admission. She wanted him close too. For some reason, she knew she could sleep soundly with him there, and maybe the nightmares would disappear. “I need to stay on my right side. Would you mind, holding me there?” She swallowed, that had been really forward, even for her.
Tucker regarded her solemnly. “It would be a pleasure, Ms. Howe.”
She smiled and laid down on her right side. He placed a pillow behind her backside. Resting her bum against it, she felt much more relaxed and grateful that he was going to keep some distance between them. Then he scooted up behind her. Tingles spread over her skin even though his body wasn’t touching hers. It was close enough to feel the heat from it. He placed his hand gently on her hip to avoid the stitches. She reclined her upper body and her uninjured shoulder rested against his chest.
“Ah,” she said. “This is comfy.” It was so much more than comfy. She had no clue if she’d be able to sleep with all the nerves firing in her body like this. If she wasn’t injured and was feeling a little more brave, she would’ve rolled over and kissed him.
“It is,” he murmured, his breath brushing against her neck.
Maryn shivered.
“I’m sorry. Am I too close?”
“Not possible,” Maryn said then bit her lip. Why did everything she think have to escape?
“Are you always this flirtatious?” Tuck’s low voice rumbled across her skin again.
“Only with you,” she murmured back.
Tuck’s breath shortened. Maryn clamped her lips together to keep from saying anything that might make this awkward. His body next to hers was going to make it hard to sleep. She knew tomorrow she’d have to take a look at reality again, but for tonight she was going to savor his closeness.
ChapterTen
Maryn awoke as the sky gradually lightened outside. The snow on the trees and the river was so beautiful. She felt an arm around her waist and Tucker’s upper body cuddled up to hers. Inhaling, she smiled. Tuck smelled so good. She sighed and nestled a bit deeper against him. The stitches and cuts didn’t hurt if she didn’t move wrong and she was going to enjoy every second of his touch. When he awakened, would he want to stay close or would he be embarrassed about what had transpired last night? She’d slept peacefully and absolutely loved the way this man sheltered and protected her. Could she ever be afraid of anything with him by her side?