you know that's true." Trembling, she wrapped her arms around him and
held tight. "I want . .
. " "What, sweetheart? " he asked as he leaned down and kissed the top
of her head.
She tucked her head under his chin and closed her eyes. She needed his
strength tonight, and she desperately needed his comfort . . . and his
love.
"You should get some sleep, " he told her as he gently lifted her into
his arms and carried her back to the campfire. He laid her down and
knelt beside her, frowning at her with worry.
"You're going to be all right." He said the words, not so much to
convince her, but to convince himself.
He started to turn away then, but she grabbed hold of his hand. "Sleep
with me, " she whispered.
Outwardly he didn't show any reaction to her plea. Inwardly his heart
felt as though it had just fallen to the pit of his stomach.
"No, " he answered, his voice harsh, his need to touch her almost
overwhelming.
In the firelight, her hair had turned a vibrant red, and all he could
think about was threading his fingers through the silky mass and coming
down on top of her sweet, soft body. . . .
"It's out of the question."
"Just for a little while, " she begged.
"I don't want to be alone."
"You're not alone. I'm two feet away.
I'm telling you it's not a good idea."
"Why not? " "You want me to spell it out for you? Fine. I want to
stay with you, but I sure don't want to sleep."
"You want to make love to me."
"Hell, yes." His eyes had turned a deep intense blue, and the hand she
held had turned into a fist. "I don't want you to do anything you
don't want to do." She let go of him and rolled to her side, away from
him. "Good night.
" He didn't move. He knelt there, fighting a silent war for what
seemed an eternity before he finally gave in.
He stretched out beside her, closed his eyes, and tried to pretend she
wasn't there.
No matter what, he vowed, he wouldn't touch her. Granted, a man had
only so much discipline and she was definitely pushing him to his
limit, but she didn't realize what she was doing to him. She needed
him, though not in the physical way he wanted or needed her, he
reminded himself. She was feeling all alone and craved human
contact.
She was killing him. Her hair tickled his nose. Just as he was
brushing the silky strands away, she lifted up and pulled his arm under
her so that her head was pillowed against him. She smelled like roses
tonight, and he was suddenly reminded of home. That was it, he
decided. He'd think about all the things he wanted to get done when he
got back to Rosehill.