“Keeping you from loneliness.”
I stopped walking and turned toward him.
“Thomas, I didn’t mean to take you away from your responsibilities.”
“I can do what’s needed from here,” he said and tapped his temple to remind me of his connection to his pack. “I thought you wanted space before. That was the only reason I stayed away.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. First, he’d resented my presence. Then, he’d met me and resented that he wanted to Claim me. Now, he wasn’t even that man. He’d admitted to wanting to kiss me, spent time with me, was very considerate of my feelings, and listened to what I thought. My chest felt uncomfortably tight.
I wanted to escape him for a while to regroup and reconsider all the reasons I needed to avoid him because, at the moment, I couldn’t think of any.
“Maybe we should head back.” As soon as I said it, I realized my mistake. He would have to carry me. There was no escape.
He scooped me up in his arms and settled me next to his chest. Before he started running, he met my gaze.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet? You don’t need to run from me. I’m willing to be whatever you need. Even patient.”
He ran, and I held on.
We stopped by the lake on the way back and picked some vegetables for a stew to go with the four rabbits Thomas said Gregory and Mary had waiting. I was ready to run the rest of the way but he insisted on carrying me again. All the constant, little brushes of skin here and there caused a long lasting blush.
When we finally entered the yard, I sighed with relief.
“I only meant to keep you company,” Thomas said softly as he set me to my feet.
“You did. I’ll just bring these in,” I said about the carrots, onions, and parsnips held in the bottom of my shirt. I turned and fled inside.
I felt guilty over my agitation. I wasn’t annoyed with him. I was annoyed with myself. I didn’t like being bitten, yet I couldn’t help feeling attracted to Thomas. What kind of mixed signals was I sending him? Plus, Claiming wouldn’t even work on me. What would happen when families started showing up with young girls like me? One was bound to pique Thomas’ interest. And where would I be? Standing in a corner with a broken heart.
I needed to keep myself busy. If Mary couldn’t spend time with me, I needed to seek out Ann. Hopefully, the families would start coming soon.
Something heavy pressed me down into the mattress. It wasn’t a sudden weight that woke me but one of which I slowly became aware as I struggled to breathe. It pinned my torso and legs. I opened my eyes and blinked, trying to see in the dim light. A familiar ear and dark wavy hair swam into focus. His slow and steady breath warmed my neck.
What did he think he was doing? Sleeping in my room with permission to protect me was one thing, but in my bed—no, not even in my bed but on me—that was something else. I frowned and tried to wiggle free. He didn’t budge, didn’t twitch. His breathing remained uninterrupted.
His chest pinned my left arm but not my right. I grabbed his shoulder and pushed. No reaction.
“Thomas,” I whispered. “Wake up.” His breathing didn’t change in the slightest.
What was his deal? I’d never seen him sleep this hard before. I paused and realized I’d never seen him sleep. The times he was with me, he was always awake before I woke. That just meant he slept less, didn’t it?
I pulled in another breath.
“Thomas,” I said right in his ear. Nothing.
I hesitated calling out for help. Mary and Gregory were in the room right next to us, the room her Dad and Uncle had used. They would hear. But did I really want them coming in here? Thomas was heavy but not really hurting me. Yet. I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to stand his weight, though. Since he wasn’t doing more than sleeping, it didn’t feel right using my will either.
“Now what?” I whispered into the dark.
I turned my head slightly. My mouth was right next to his ear. He’d once told me he’d like it if I bit him. I grinned in the dark a moment before I nipped the firm shell of his undamaged ear.
His breathing stopped. He didn’t move. I held my own breath, waiting for his reaction. What I felt pressed against my side was enough to send me into a panic.
“Please tell me you’re awake and in control of yourself,” I said, lightly in his ear. The warble in my words gave away my worry.
“Barely.” The one rough word made me shiver.
“Barely awake or barely in control?”
“Both.”
He turned his head, and his lips skimmed my ear. My heart hammered against my squished ribs. My right hand still gripped his shoulder.
“Thomas, I can’t breathe.”
“I have the same problem when I’m this close to you.” His tongue traced my ear.
I wanted him to stop and to keep going. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and pull him closer as much as I wanted to push him away and drag in a deep, cleansing breath.
My need for air won.