Page 103 of Cavern of Silence

We spread the blankets across one of the rows, and I lay down and pat the space next to me.

"Why do you look so happy right now?"

Thunder crashes outside, and she jumps. The cows moo and horses neigh loudly.

I chuckle and point to the roof. "That wouldn't have been any fun to have to spend the night in."

"Agreed." She sits next to me and rifles through my backpack.

"Looking for something specific?"

She pulls out the arnica and an anti-inflammatory. "Sit up, and let me put this on you."

I almost forgot how badly I messed up.

I obey and, with one hand, reach behind my back and remove my shirt.

Some of my bruises have stayed purple, but many have changed into yellow. She lightly traces my skin over those. "These are healing quickly. The arnica must be working."

I take a deep breath, stay silent, and fight the guilt over my actions for the hundredth time today.

Julieta diligently puts cream on my cheeks and forehead then pecks me on the lips. She attends to the front and back of my torso.

I check the water supply in the canteen and am relieved there is some in it. She hands me a pill for my inflammation. "Take this."

After I swallow it, I turn to her. "I'm sorry again about last night."

She crawls over and straddles me then laces her fingers through my hair. "I thought you wanted to move forward."

"I do."

"So do I. No more sorries." She removes her shirt and bra, and her breasts graze against my skin.

I study her face. "How did you become so beautiful?"

She bites her perfect heart-shaped lips and looks down.

I trace her high cheekbones. Golden hues flicker against the brown in her eyes. "You don't understand what I see, do you?"

She doesn't respond with words but draws me to her mouth, hungrily tasting me and fueling the craving that swirls in my bones.

I wrap my arms around her. My thumb strokes over the outline of her branded skin.

She freezes mid-kiss. Her face scrunches.

I slide my hand up through her hair, palming her head. "Every part of you is stunning, and I need every inch of you."

She inhales deeply, and her eyes glisten with layers of sadness and shame. She doesn't believe she is still beautiful, and it cuts my soul. And I've seen the depths of those emotions before in Maureen when she had her breasts removed.

"Look at me." I glance at my chest. "My face and body are mangled. Do you still want me?"

She swallows hard. "Yes."

"It's not stopping you from desiring me?"

"No."

"Your back doesn't make me need you any less. It's no different than how I look right now."