Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,76
in this area for the sake of convenience, and our consuming need for one another. But getting stuck in these ruts isn’t getting us anywhere. Harsh elements aren’t going to wait for us to wise up.
The weather will turn colder, to the point where being outside for any amount of time will be a brutal torture. That’s a guarantee we need to prepare for. It’s only by sheer luck that the temperature is still hovering above freezing. Once winter arrives and the climate turns for the worst, we’re going to be dealing with another predator entirely.
I wince when my foot slips and tender ligaments stretch too far on a rock. A scowl gets aimed at the offending weakness. It comes as no shock that Blakely and her watchful gaze notice.
She pauses her climb and turns to me. “How’s your leg?”
“Fine.” The minor injury would usually take me out of commission for an evening at the most. Her insistence had me laid up for much longer. The warmth spreading through my limbs intensifies when she leans into me.
“Are you acting tough for my benefit?”
I study the genuine concern painted across her delicate features. Being honest might bode well for me. If Blakely realizes how much pain I’m in, there’s a solid chance another pampering session is in my very near future. That might be in our best interest, considering today’s efforts will most likely lead toward a dead end. The weight of disappointment will soon follow. But allowing doubt to rule my decisions is a sure way to keep us stranded until spring.
I scrub over my mouth to mask the grimace spreading there. “I’m okay, Lee. We’ve been slow moving since Tuesday. Losing more time is something we can’t afford. I’m fully capable of pushing myself for the greater good.”
“Or resting?” The suggestion is clear in her voice. “What if another crazed animal has plans to hunt us down?”
A smirk twitches one corner of my mouth. Yeah, it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing. We’ve been sidetracked from our regular schedule by a handful of unrelated incidents. The most catastrophic, according to Blakely, is when I twisted my ankle running from the stampeding hooves of a moose. In my humble opinion, that scuffle was more frightening due to her close proximity to the snorting beast. I scooped her up and ran like the devil himself was chasing us. In many ways, that thunderous animal could be considered a spawn of Satan.
I lift my chin to the calm surface of the lake beside us. “No moose going for a swim.”
“The pounding across the ground when he stormed after us still haunts me.” Her wince stabs me in the temple.
That raging bull wasn’t pleased that we interrupted his family’s bathing session in the frigid waters. The cow and calf made the male’s territorial instincts turn into a total rage. By some miracle, the two most fatal dangers we’ve faced haven’t been able to scale trees. Our narrow escape wouldn’t be successful without that major boost for our benefit. The churning acid in my gut won’t let me consider the consequences of crossing paths with a cougar or lynx.
With a gentle tug, I have her wrapped in my arms. “You’re safe, sweetheart. I’ll always protect you.”
She nuzzles into my chest. “Thank you. Being a damsel isn’t usually my thing, but I’d be lost without you.”
“You’ll never have to worry about that. We’re in this together.”
“And afterward?”
I notch a finger under her chin, lifting until our mouths brush together. “I’ll be here until you push me away.”
Blakely scoffs, fluttering her lashes at me. “That’s never going to happen. No one gets me like you do.”
“It’s my twisted belief that you’ve never played doctor for anyone else.”
“Because I haven’t. That’s special, just for you.” She fists my jacket and tugs me down for another kiss.
A blistering wash of heat floods my system. Having Blakely smother me with extra attention made the altercation seem like a necessary evil I’d gladly go through again to get spoiled. What can I say? I’m a starving man, and she’s my only sustenance. I won’t complain about her fussing over me, even if my man-card is in jeopardy. The brownie points she doles out for being a good patient are more precious than gold. She’s fine-tuning her skills in the art of administering a sponge bath. The arctic wilderness version provides more challenges, which she took in stride for the most part.
Blakely flipped my skeptical glare into a slack state of relaxation.