Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,49
to reveal his wrapped and taped up ribs.
“Feeling better?”
“Somewhat. How about you?”
“Much. I probably will regret this bath though.”
“Why?”
“Getting out of it.”
“You have help.” He smiled sheepishly.
“Yeah, no.”
“Would you prefer that I get a maid?”
“I don’t want to put anyone out.” I also had no idea who the maids were. At least I knew James.
“Then I guess you are stuck with me.”
“It’s going to be cold.”
“The fire is lit. That should help.” He shifted on the seat. “Let me know when you are ready to get out. I can either disappear or help you out.”
“Could you close your eyes and help me?”
He laughed. “You believe me to be that talented?”
“I hope you are.” I wasn’t looking forward to getting out with my busted ankle.
“I can close my eyes and hold out a hand so you can stand. I will hand you your towel, and then I will open my eyes and help you out.”
“Great plan.”
“You ready now?”
“I’m ready.” I pulled out the drain plug. I waited until James closed his eyes before reaching for his hand. I leaned on him and moved to standing. He held out my towel. I dried off quickly and wrapped it around me. “You can open them now.”
He opened his eyes and lifted me out of the tub. I expected him to put me down in the bathroom, but he carried me all the way over to my bed. “How is that for service?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Yes, because it was such a hardship to help a beautiful woman from a bathtub.”
“I mean with everything. If it’s true I’m in danger, isn’t this a lot to protect me?”
“I care about you. I care about your well-being.”
“Do you normally care this much about a girl you barely know?” I didn’t really want to hear the answer.
“I usually don’t care at all.” He sat down next to me on the bed. “You have an effect on me.”
“I do?” I smiled and looked away. “Oh. I left my shirt in the bathroom.”
“I will get it as well as your other stuff.” He jumped off the bed before I could stop him.
He returned holding my clothes as well as the lantern. He placed the lantern back on the bed stand. “Should I take this as my cue to leave?”
I found myself shaking my head. “Not if you can turn around for a minute.”
“I am capable of that.” He turned his back to me.
I got dressed quickly and slipped under the covers of the bed. The sheets were soft and luxurious. “Is your room really next door?”
“Afraid I will disappear on you?”
“I’m nervous.”
“Want me to sleep on the floor in here? Would that help?”
“What? You are offering to sleep on the cold stone floor?”
“I have done much worse.”
“Would you sleep on top of the covers on the bed? Or will you be too cold?” Once again words left my mouth without thinking first.
He laughed. “Are you inviting me to spend the night with you, Ainsley?”
“Not in that way.”
“You wish to use me for your protection.”
I nodded. “I do.”
“Those men scared you more than you admitted.”
“Terrified me. I thought. I thought they were going to—”
“And they would have. I am lucky I got there when I did.”
“You are lucky? I am the lucky one.”
“I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened to you.” His eyes darkened.
“It would have been my fault too.”
“Please don’t run away again. I will get you home.”
“I trust you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be asking you to sleep in here.” James had hidden things from me, but I needed to believe he’d brought me to Energo for a reason. I had to trust my gut instinct, and believe my pull toward him meant something. Otherwise I was just a stupid girl far away from home. He’d done nothing but protect me since we arrived, and he was clearly liked by Charlotte. My concerns over Nathaniel’s words disappeared.
“I know.” He patted the bed beside me.
“Wait.”
“Yes?” He kicked off his boots.
“Will anyone…. will anyone care?”
“Are you concerned about your reputation?”
“And yours. I know you care what Charlotte thinks of you.”
“They will understand. Why do you think Charlotte put me in the room next to you?”
“She knew I’d ask you to stay?” I adjusted my pillow.
“She knew you might need me.” He lay back on the pillow next to me. “And she knew I would be checking on you.”
“Checking on me?”
“It is a good thing I did.”
“Otherwise I might be