wasn’t going to dwell on the backstory. He processed the information and moved on.
Had his wife understood how he was? His work was his life. It was how he expressed himself. He worked hard because he cared hard. From what he’d said, Sierra guessed his wife had interpreted it as him not caring enough for her. A lack of communication between two different personalities with horrific results.
“It’s why I haven’t sent a message that we’re okay,” she replied. Thinking too hard about Boone and how love had failed wasn’t going to help her.
“We’ll figure it out in the morning.”
She nodded and started a fourth slice. At this rate, she was going to dig into Boone’s half—and drink his water too. But it was better than the perma-queasy state she’d been in for the last couple of months. “Nighttime in Sin City isn’t the time to outsmart demons.”
“Too many humans causing trouble all on their own.”
They shared a quick smile and a spark kindled in her belly. They’d crashed and fled, and they still wore the street’s grime, but the way his eyes crinkled in the corners? He had never looked hotter. His blue jeans and plain black T-shirt showed far too many muscles than were good for her to see.
Was it the hormones? With her newly rediscovered appetite, her sex drive could be firing up too. Boone had been giving her the warm fuzzies since she’d woken up after her fall and looked into his dark eyes. But this feeling crept beyond warm and headed into edgy territory.
Instead of running from it, she let it sink in. Enjoyed how the heat curled like tiny tendrils through her body until it settled into a steady thrum between her thighs. Boone didn’t have to know she was turned on. He didn’t have to know that the last time she’d been with someone, it’d been motivated by disgust and anger. Helplessness and desolation. She’d wanted justice, she’d wanted revenge, knowing she was owed neither of those things.
Her attraction to Boone was the opposite. He was a good man. He made her feel worthwhile. He helped her without expecting anything in return. For a fallen angel who deserved all the shit rolling her way, Boone was a treasure. He was hers, if only for a time.
Soon, she’d do what she had to. She’d find a way to free him from her mess and he’d live a life worthy of his selfless soul. She’d just have to do it before he realized she wasn’t worth helping.
A slight shifting on the bed roused Boone to consciousness. The patterned material of the curtains allowed some light to filter in. Sierra had curled tight into herself, her arms hugged into her chest and her knees pulled up.
He sat up on an elbow. “Are you in pain?”
“Sorry I woke you.”
“It’s not like either of us can sleep decently on this mattress.” The sidewalk might be softer, and warm from the sun. “Is something hurting?”
“No, I’m just cold.”
When they’d entered the room, he’d taken one look at the comforter and hadn’t wanted it to touch Sierra’s satiny skin. That had left the sheet and a blanket as thin as the sheets. Except for the night she’d slept against him, he’d been sleeping over the blankets in the safe house. But it wasn’t enough to keep her warm.
“Here.” He rolled off the bed and crawled in behind her. Spooning her, he opened his arms as she wiggled closer. He held back a groan. Her ass was doing all the wiggling. He couldn’t sport an erection while they were on the run. She was pregnant. And a fallen angel.
Could there be any more issues between them?
A soft sigh left her as soon as she was ensconced in the cocoon of his body. “I always hated how short I was compared to other warriors, but it’s coming in handy right now. You’re a furnace.”
“Glad I could help.” Her breathing was even, but she wasn’t asleep. “Why did you become a warrior? Can you pick what you do?”
“Somewhat. Some jobs you have to be accepted for. Warrior’s one of them. But my birth left the realm with two fewer warriors. I felt it was my obligation.”
She blamed herself. It weighed down every word. “What would you have done if you’d had any other choice?”
“I never had another choice.” She shifted and her ass nudged him again. His abs tightened and he tried to think of anything other than the beautiful woman in his arms.
“Why