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14

Cameron

Gentlelightfilteredthroughthe window. The cool morning air didn’t trouble me because I was cocooned in a toasty warm Shep blanket. With his chest at my back, one large arm held me against him, and a muscular thigh was wedged between mine. The early riser still slept. His slow, deep breaths tickled my ear on each exhale.

I must have rolled away from him during the night and he’d followed. Waking up in the security of his embrace and surrounded by his scent was heaven. I wished I wasn’t so affected by the big guy, but it was hard not to be when he took such good care of me. The problem was, Shep had become an emotional crutch, and it was dangerous to rely on other people for anything. Soon, I’d be on my own, and his absence would feel like a phantom limb.

I studied Shep’s tanned forearm and wondered how he’d react if I traced my fingertips over the thick veins there and continued walking them up his firm bicep and huge shoulders. What would he do if I turned to face him, ran my hands through his hair and hooked a leg over his hip, drawing him nearer? God, I wanted to find out. A tingling warmth blossomed low in my belly.

Foolish girl. Hadn’t I convinced myself last night that it was a terrible idea to complicate things?

My reality came crashing down around me when I remembered the contract on Justin. A wave of nausea rolled through me. Every hour that passed brought him closer to danger. I needed to know if Ben would help us.

I wiggled to stir the slumbering beast draped over me. He groaned before adjusting his position and pulled me tighter against his chest.

Round one to the beast.

I cleared my throat and poked a finger into his forearm. That got a reaction. Shep froze, and every muscle in his body tensed.

He loosened his grip on me and shuffled back a few inches.

“Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to smother you like that.” His morning voice was extra raspy.

He sat up against the headboard, hair disheveled and cheeks flushed. He was cute when he woke, even more so when he was embarrassed.

“It’s okay. You must’ve been doing something right, because I slept like the dead. I was sure I’d be awake all night.”

He smirked. “You were out cold in under five minutes.”

“Then I guess you have another superpower to add to your list.” I flashed Shep a half smile, but it was all I could muster. I sat up next to him. “Do you think Ben would’ve replied by now?”

“I’ll go check my email.” He rolled off the bed, then padded down the hallway.

I headed to the bathroom to relieve my aching bladder. After washing my hands, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. For all the craziness going on, I didn’t look too awful. My scratches and bruises were well on their way to healing, and there was a blush on my cheeks brought on by Shep’s presence. Seemed the mountain lifestyle agreed with me, or maybe it was just him.

I used a comb to bring some order to my hair and styled it into a loose braid over my shoulder. When I opened the bathroom door, I found Shep slipping into a pair of jeans, his impressive chest still on display. I let my eyes roam over him. He caught me checking him out and grinned.

I leaned against the doorframe and folded my arms. “You know, shirts are overrated and completely optional in my opinion.” I licked my lip and gave it a nibble. He looked delicious.

“I agree,” he said, his eyes flickering between my face and breasts, unleashing a swarm of butterflies in my belly.

Shep zipped up his fly before putting on a white long sleeve T-shirt. Damn shame he wasn’t putting the optional shirt policy to use.

“Last night, in here,” he glanced at the bed, “it was… nice. If you need that again, even if it’s only for comfort, I won’t ask for more. I know that’s not what you need right now.” He scratched the short stubble on his cheek, looking nervous while I considered his words.

He was so handsome standing before me. Total alpha male, but with a compassionate side that melted me.

“Thanks. I know you’d never do that. Push me into something physically, I mean. I trust you.”

His brows raised. “You do?”

Although I’d never said so, I thought my actions around him implied my trust. But it seemed like hearing those words meant a lot to him.

“With my life. Lucky, given the situation, right?”

He smiled and nodded.

I returned the smile and shook my head. “You really have no clue, do you?”