Page 22 of Escaped (Snowbound with a Stranger #3)

Tomorrows

Eli

“How was it, little girl?”

Glancing at Erin’s mournful expression, I didn’t need to ask. I could sense the despondency radiating from her in waves and had already noticed how red her eyes looked when she’d arrived back at her small apartment.

I’d been rattling around her tiny abode for hours, reading her books and flicking through her channels, but all the while, my thoughts had been with Erin.

“It was awful, sir.”

Pulling in a breath, she gripped my hand harder.

“Even worse than I imagined.”

“She’s mourning for James.”

I tugged her closer.

“She’s bound to be upset.”

“It wasn’t that, though.”

She leaned against my forearm and, fleetingly, I realized how much easier it was to bear her weight against my injured shoulder. Entirely healed, I might not yet have been, but I felt stronger than at any point since arriving at Owen’s place.

“Yes, she’s sad about James, but it was more than that.”

“It was about me.”

There was no joy as the revelation left my lips, but guiding her in the direction of her sofa, the origin of the friction between her and Chelle was obvious.

Chelle didn’t like me, or more to the point, she didn’t like that I hadn’t saved James, and therefore, she failed to see her friend’s fascination with me.

“She thinks I’m wrong to be with you.”

Erin’s brow furrowed.

“She probably holds me responsible for James and Miles’ deaths.”

It wasn’t as though I hadn’t blamed myself. Even before Hawkins had come barging into the cabin, I’d considered myself culpable for the fate of all four of them.

“I guess.”

She sighed.

“But that’s not fair. Those guys are dead because they were stupid and didn’t listen to your instructions.”

She looked up at me.

“You can’t blame yourself, sir.”

“Is that an order?”

Hoping my wry tone would help to defuse some of the tension in her worried expression, I was relieved to see her lips curl, if only for a moment.

“No, sir.”

She slid an arm around me.

“I’m not telling you what to do.”

“Just as well.”

Tugging her toward the couch, I signaled for her to sit down.

“Because this could be the perfect place for your next spanking.”

Her mouth twisted as she, presumably, envisaged the fate I alluded to.

“I know you’re trying to make me feel better, and thank you, but it wasn’t your fault, sir. I won’t allow Chelle to bend the truth to suit herself.”

“Thank you, little girl.”

Taking a seat beside her, I pulled her closer.

“And I appreciate your vote of confidence, but I’d hate to see the two of you fall out about me.”

“Me too.”

She shrugged, her voice breaking.

“I used to think our friendship was rock solid, but I guess things change. I never understood what she saw in James, and I suppose that’s how she feels about me and you.”

Tears streamed down her face as she lifted it to the nearby window.

“Come here.”

Reaching for her, I encouraged her to bury her face into my jacket as she sobbed.

“It’s okay, little girl. Let it all out.”

There wasn’t much I could do to help her rebuild her friendship with Chelle, but my instinct was to comfort her. Erin had been through so much in such a short period of time, and a depressing amount of that trauma appeared to be thanks to me.

Waiting until her cries had muted and her labored breathing had returned to normal, I watched a pair of small birds hopping from one branch of a tree to another outside her window. Their dance reminded me of the wonderful solace of the wilderness I’d left behind. Life in the forest had always seemed simpler somehow, as though the wildlife there knew how to address any imbalances without conflict. It was a trick most people still needed to master.

“Maybe you just need some time.”

Stroking her silky hair, I planted a kiss on the top of her head.

“Things might feel brighter in a few weeks.”

“Maybe.”

Her reply was croaky as she lifted her head.

“I don’t know. But I’ll still have to get through the next few weeks.”

“I’m going to help you with that.”

Meeting her gaze, I couldn’t help but smile. Even visibly upset, she was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

“How much more time can you take from work?”

“From work?”

Her watery eyes widened.

“Why, sir?”

“Because while Owen has been a generous host and this place is nice, I have an idea of where to go next.”

I bit down on the bigger grin that threatened to surface as the initial details of my plan were revealed. I’d spent the afternoon scouring the internet and looking for the perfect place, and after moving some money around my accounts, I’d already booked the accommodation. Internet banking made everything so straightforward, and after years of subsidized rents and little to spend my earnings on, I had more than enough for us both.

“Oh?”

Her back straightened.

“And where’s that, sir?”

“Owen mentioned you’d always wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands.”

My pulse picked up its pace as recognition glimmered in her gaze.

“Y-yes.”

She sounded unsure.

“When did he tell you that?”

“That doesn’t matter,”

I chided softly.

“The point is, he was able to flesh out some of the places you’d like to visit, and if you have the time, I’d like to take you there.”

“To the Highlands?”

Bewilderment rang out in her tone.

“Yes, the Highlands.”

I laughed at her stunned expression.

“And wherever you’d like to go after that.”

She frowned.

“Places up there will be expensive, sir.”

Reaching for her face, my thumb stroked away her remaining tears.

“You deserve to be spoiled, Erin. You did save my life, after all.”

“I…”

She closed her mouth, searching my face for any sign I might be joking. I wasn’t. The first hotel was already booked and paid for on the assumption I knew she had a few days of personal time owed to her.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, do you want to go to Scotland with me?”

I chuckled at her shocked bemusement. Erin had been so sure of her opinions of late; I couldn’t recall a recent time I’d witnessed her hesitation.

“Yes.”

There were more tears again then, but that time, I hoped they were born of something happier than her sorrow over Chelle.

“Yes, I’d like that, sir.”

“Good.”

We were getting somewhere.

“And what about holiday time? Do you have much left?”

“I haven’t taken a holiday all year, so yes.”

She wiped her tears with the heel of her hand.

“But are you sure you want to go away with me? We’re still getting to know each other, sir.”

That much was true, but every adventure we’d been through together had only fueled my fire to know her better, to spend more time in her company, and do whatever I could to keep her safe and happy.

“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather get to know in the beautiful Scottish countryside.”

Leaning closer, I grazed my lips over her mouth.

“You make everything sound so simple.”

She shook her head, but the mischievous glint in her eyes told me she was sold on the idea. She might not have been certain on the details—on how long she could stay and what beckoned on the horizon beyond Scotland—but she was excited to find out.

“I’m not sure life beyond Niantes will be so easy, sir.”

“Look at everything we’ve overcome so far. The storm, the cabin, and then Hawkins…”

“Right.”

Her lips tugged into a begrudged smile.

“We haven’t had the most conventional start to a relationship.”

“Convention is overrated.”

I threw her a wink.

“What we’ve found is something far more unique.”

“That’s one way of putting it, sir. I’m just not sure you’ll want to put up with me full time in the wilds of the Highlands!”

“You’re joking, right?”

I couldn’t think of anything better than taking her away and having her all to myself.

“I don’t know if you realize, but I like the wilderness, little girl. I’m pretty at home there.”

“Yeah.”

She grinned.

“I noticed.”

“And I really like you.”

I ran my fingers along her trouser-clad thigh.

“So, the two are a good combination.”

“Right.”

She pulled in a calming breath.

“It’s decided then.”

Not that there’d ever been any doubt in my mind. If she didn’t have the holiday time, I’d have asked her to take it unpaid and given her back the difference in earnings.

“Call your boss and take another week. I’ll consider bringing you back to suburbia after that.”

“Oh, you’ll consider it?”

She laughed.

“Gee, thanks, sir.”

“Make the call,”

I insisted.

“Before I change my mind about that spanking.”

She peered around her small lounge, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

“You wouldn’t dare! Not when I’m so upset.”

“Oh, really?”

I arched an eyebrow at her.

“You’re daring me?”

“No, sir.”

Flustered, she reached inside her bag for her phone.

“I’m definitely not doing that.”

“Just wait until I have you all to myself in the Highlands,”

I mused as she searched for the number.

“We’ll find the perfect spot to tan your needy little backside, little girl. Every. Time. You. Need. It.”

I punctuated the final words, running my digits along her hip and north to her chest as she hit the call button and held the phone to her ear.

“Not now.”

She mouthed the words as the call connected, and watching her spring into professional mode, I was forced to agree.

That wasn’t the moment to devour her, but with my wounds healing and the funeral behind her, I was hungrier for Erin than ever.