CHAPTER TWELVE

“Hey Sas, where are you? Did you hear me?” Timber’s voice broke into his musings.

“No, I didn’t.” He found both Angel and Timber studying him.

“I said you better be ready for company. Ginny told Sturge he has to come by and visit Angel. She wants to come too, but he told her it was getting too cold for the baby to travel by dogsled. My guess is he’ll try to convince Angel to come back with him to meet Ginny.”

He wouldn’t let her go. “No.”

Timber’s eyes widened. “No? What do you mean ‘no’? No, that Sturge can’t come, or no that Angel can’t visit.”

He moved to stand behind Angel, resting his hands on her shoulders. “No, Angel can’t leave without me.”

She looked up at him, worry in her eyes before she addressed Timber. “We’d be happy to have a visit from Sturge, but I think any visiting will have to be done by the both of us.” She gave Timber a weak smile.

Timber looked at him then at Angel. His eyes suddenly widened and a grin spread over his weathered face, his nose becoming buried in his bushy mustache. “Well, I’ll be a beaver’s bunion. You two are a couple.”

He froze as Angel’s shoulders tensed beneath his hands, but then they relaxed and she looked up at him. “I think so. What do you think?”

Happiness skittered through his heart like a frightened hare. Did that mean she loved him?

“And don’t even think about declining to answer.” Her brows lowered over her searching eyes which revealed her own uncertainty.

He looked at Timber. “Yes.”

“This is cause for celebration!” Timber returned his gaze to Angel. “We don’t have a lot of bush matchmaking going on out here, so this would be considered an occasion.”

She laughed, the sound filling his heart. “And how do you celebrate here in the wilderness? I’m guessing we won’t be hiring a disk jockey or hanging a disco ball in the trees.”

Timber gave her a look of horror, his eyes wide as he held up his fingers in a cross as if to ward off evil spirits. “Hell, no. We roast marshmallows and watch the northern lights while getting drunker than a caribou on whiskey.”

Angel shook her head. “But all we have is the wine you brought me, and I’m pretty sure Sas doesn’t have any marshmallows.”

A gleam came into Timber’s eyes before he winked. “I must be psychic then. Sas, hand me my bag.”

He let go of Angel reluctantly, still half in disbelief that she agreed they were together and that it might mean she loved him. Bending, he lifted the backpack and brought it around to Timber.

“Just hold it like that a minute.” Timber unzipped a side compartment while looking at Angel. “Don’t know if you noticed, but Sas is like the strong man in a carnival. I think he was born with little biceps already developed.”

Angel chuckled. “Oh, believe me, I know exactly how strong he is.”

Timber coughed before pulling out a bag of marshmallows. “Ta-dah. But wait, there’s more.”

He held the bag still as Timber rummaged through another compartment. Watching Angel’s expressions of happiness made him want to strip her naked and take her right there on the table. He’d be more irritated with Timber if he wasn’t making her smile so much.

“Hah, found it.” Timber pulled out a plastic bag of broken graham crackers and a large chocolate bar.

“S’mores!” Angel’s face lit up. “I love those. Haven’t had them since I was a child. Wow, you’re a sweetheart.” She hopped off the barrel and gave Timber a hug, still careful not to use her hands.

He didn’t like her hugging the man. “Is that all you need?” He lowered the backpack to the floor.

Timber’s face was bright red as Angel released him. “No, as a matter of fact. I need one more thing right now.”

Holding the backpack up again, he waited while Timber rummaged through another compartment. The older man pulled peach-colored material out and held it up with both hands. “I’m not sure of your size, but I thought you might like a woman’s shirt to wear around here.”

Angel looked at the blouse. “It might be a little big, but not nearly as big as anything Sas might have.”

Timber looked up at him then nodded, so he moved the backpack to the couch where the older man would sleep.

“I’m not a small man.” Timber grinned. “But even I’d be swimming in one of the Sasquatch’s shirts.”

“I’m glad this one is a little large because I can’t even get my hands through the sleeves of my sweater as we discovered. I’m just glad I dressed in layers when I went to the glacier that day because I’d worn a t-shirt over my tank top, so at least I have this.”

Angel took the new shirt in the crook of her arm and walked over to him. “I’d like to change into this. Could you open the pantry for me?”

He looked over at Timber. “You can use the cabin to change. Timber and I are heading outside now anyway.”

She raised one eyebrow, but didn’t ask any questions. “Perfect.”

“Let me just get my coat. It’s getting a lot colder out there. You can tell winter is knocking at the door.” Timber rose and pulled his parker from one of the hooks by the door.

“I’ll be right there.” He turned his back on Timber. “Let me help you with your t-shirt.”

The door closed behind Timber and they were alone again. As much as he wanted to strip her naked and take her, he held back.

She dropped the peach shirt on the table and lifted her arms without a word, an oddity in itself.

He pulled the bottom of the shirt up her body and over her head, carefully working the short sleeves around the bandages of her hands. Her tank top did nothing to hide the points of her hard nipples and he sucked in his breath.

She stared at him, her gaze searching.

His gut churned with longing, so he quickly grabbed up the new blouse and lowered it over her raised arms. The sleeves were long but loose, larger at the wrist than the elbow. The color made her look even healthier.

“It’s exactly what I needed. What a dear man.”

He nodded absently, his gaze riveted to her lips.

When she licked them, he lowered his mouth and kissed her. He’d expected to show her his passion, but instead he revealed his heart, gently moving his lips over hers before pulling away.

“Don’t be gone long. I’ll get lonely.” She smiled hesitantly, reaffirming his suspicion that something had changed for them. Something important.

Finally, he turned away and followed Timber outside. For the first time, he wanted to stay inside.

Timber had headed down the incline of his ledge toward a small valley and now sat on a log waiting. It didn’t take the older man long to start talking. “People in Savik are going to want to meet her. You know if you don’t bring her in, they’ll all start traipsing out here to find you.”

He strode the final yards to the spot where Timber sat. “It’s almost winter. It can wait.”

His companion shook his head. “I would hope so, but you know how curious people can get.”

He didn’t respond. He didn’t want to share Angel with anyone, not even Timber, but he owed it to the man. “Thank you for purchasing a shirt for her. I can give you some of the venison from this morning’s kill in return.”

“Don’t even think about it. You need it for the two of you. Besides, that would make it a gift from you and it wasn’t.” Timber grinned. “I thought of it all by myself. Just don’t tell her that I completely forgot about her hands.” He lost his smile. “How damaged are they.”

He looked down at his own large hands as he remembered Angel’s delicate ones. “There are a number of white blisters that are breaking, but there are some red ones, too. I’ve changed the bandages regularly, but I have nothing to treat them with. I think some of the tissue is permanently dead.”

To voice out loud Angel’s prognosis made him finally accept the inevitable.

“Have you told her yet?”

He shook his head.

“I’d wait, if I were you. Remember that teenager we found over by Elk Run Ledge?”

“Yes.” He’d never heard what happened to the young man once he was flown out.

“Well, the rescuers I ran into later in the spring told me that it looked like the kid was going to lose both his feet, but the doctors made him wait two months before they did surgery. Turned out, he was able to keep at least half of each. I gotta believe that was a relief to him.”

“Do you think Angel might be able to keep all the tissue in her hands if she waits to see a doctor?” He hated doctors, but if they could help her, he’d stifle his feelings about them.

Timber shook his head. “Not necessarily, but if you found her the last week of September that means you’ll have to get her to a hospital in two months, that would be the end of November and Charlie doesn’t fly into Savik past November first. It’s not like you can wait for spring because then any dead flesh will cause infection.”

“I could bring her to the hospital by way of Tavva.” He would just have to coax Sturge to be his guide.

Timber shook his head. “You would risk her in the cold that long? It would take you at least two weeks to get to Tavva and to rent a car. You’d be better off getting her to Savik before the end of this month.”

It wouldn’t take him two weeks to reach Tavva, but with Angel along, it could. Timber was correct, he couldn’t risk her health like that, but the idea of putting her on the bush plane to Fairbanks without him made him sick.

“You’re going to have to fly her out soon anyway.”

At Timber’s statement, he scowled. “Why?”

“She’d bound to have family and friends looking for her. It’s not like she can call from here.”

His mind whirled at Timber’s comment. What did she say when she first woke? Something about her brother. My trip was supposed to last a month and there is limited service on the boat, so he knows not to expect to hear from me until I land in Seattle. “Her trip was for a month. She said no one would miss her until then.”

Timber looked at him shrewdly. “I know you want to keep her all to herself, but if she wants to stay, she’s going to have to let her family know she’s alive and okay.”

“You mean like you did?”

Timber looked away but not before his eyes reflected the pain his departure to Alaska had caused. “I made my choices and I’ll live with them, but Angel didn’t have a choice. You have to make it available to her.”

He fisted his hands in frustration. Timber was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. If she wanted to go, he would allow it, but he didn’t want anyone else to influence her decision and her brother very well could. “I do want her to myself.”

“I know you do, big guy. You deserve her, but you can’t keep her against her will. To tell you the truth, I think she’s as infatuated with you as you are with her.”

His mind had started down the old groove, much like water carved into a glacier when Timber mentioned him deserving Angel. But at his friend’s observation, he pulled himself out. “You think so? Why?”

Timber chuckled. “Oh, my friend, you have it bad. How can I tell? By the way she looks at you, even when you’re not looking. Trust me, she wants to be here. She’s never once asked me to help her leave. In fact, she asked me more questions about you than anything else.”

“She did?” Hope grew in his chest.

This time Timber rolled his eyes. “What do you think we talked about the night you ran down to my place to fetch the pain meds? She wanted to know everything about you, not that I could tell her much. You don’t exactly talk about yourself, but I’m guessing you’ve told her more than you told me.”

Had he? She was persistent. People in the wilderness didn’t ask so many questions and they definitely didn’t try to get the same information by asking a different question hours later. He felt his heart lighten as her interest in him became clearer.

“Well, what are you going to do?”

He refocused on Timber. “About what?”

“About her hands and her need to get in touch with family. You said she has a brother, right?”

He nodded absently, his gut tightening as if on cue. Even more than her need to communicate with the outside world was his concern over her hands. “I will make sure to do what is right for her.”

“Good. While you’re thinking about her, be sure to tell her as much about you as possible. Don’t hold back any secrets. I can tell you from experience that when those secrets come out, you could lose her.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but Timber held up his hand. “You don’t have to tell me. I respect the Alaskan code, but with a woman, the rules change. Just remember that. Now if you don’t mind, my ass is getting cold, so I’m heading back up.”

Timber started up the incline back to the cabin, his words chilling the very air.

Just minutes ago, he was happier than he’d ever been in his life and now he had to do what was right and in every instance, he chanced losing Angel. If he had years to make a decision, the panic in his gut would be a lot less, but now it felt as if he walked across an ice bridge over a bottomless cavern as it slowly gave way.

Shaking his head, he pushed the fear aside. Tonight, he would enjoy Angel’s happiness as she was entertained by Timber. Tomorrow, after the man left, he would show her exactly how much she meant to him.

He started up the incline. The following day, he would show her again. He wanted this happy reprieve from his existence.

He deserved it.

~~*~~

Angela kissed Timber on the cheek. “Have a safe walk home. Don’t stop to play with any wolves.”

The old man smiled. “I promise.”

“And thank you for the s’mores and the wine and the shirt and everything. You spoiled me.”

He looked above her head. “No, I think Sas is the expert at that. I just wanted you to feel welcome here.”

She smiled as Sas pulled her back against him. “You did a great job. I feel very welcome.”

“Good. I’ll see you two next month, I imagine. Don’t get into too much trouble until then.” Timber opened the door.

Sas moved around her to follow him out. “No more trouble than you.”

Timber’s laughter floated through the open door before Sas closed it.

“He’s a nice man and a good friend to you. I like him.” Sas didn’t say anything, his eyes riveted on her new shirt. Or was it her breasts? “Sas?”

His dark gaze lifted to hers for a brief moment before it returned to her breasts. “I want you now.”

Every nerve-ending in her body woke up at his declaration. That they hadn’t had sex yesterday must have pushed him to his limit. Would her tear her clothes off? Her belly tightened in anticipation.

Sas moved his hand behind his head and pulled his shirt over it even as he took a step toward her.

She watched it hit the floor and wished she could do the same, but her hands were useless.

He unbuttoned his jeans as he took another step, only to stop and unzip.

What she wouldn’t give to yank his pants down to his ankles and grasp his cock in her hands.

Luckily, he wasn’t going to wait for that. He pushed his jeans over his hips and pulled one leg off then the other, his proud, hard cock reaching toward her.

His next step brought him to her.

“I can’t undress myself or I would.”

Something flickered in his gaze as if he’d almost forgotten her handicap.

“It doesn’t matter.” His voice had dropped another octave, sending shivers of excitement up her arms. “I’d undress you anyway.” He grasped the hem of her new shirt and lifted it over her head.

That left her in her tank top, which had recently been washed by him while she slept. That and all her clothes.

After dropping her shirt on top of his own, he brushed his fingers across her already hardening nipples.

The sensation through her tank softened his callouses which gave his touch a completely different feel, almost too soft. Because looking up at him gave her a kink in her neck if she did it for too long, she looked at his hard abdominal muscles that tensed in different places as he shifted his weight.

Without the ability to remove her tank, she was at his mercy. For a man who seemed to be in a rush with his own clothes, he suddenly found the control to dally with hers.

Instead of removing her tank, he ran his hands down to her own jeans and one hand cupped her between the legs. “You’re hot.”

Her breath left her in a whoosh. “Of course I am. You make me that way.”

“I thought I make you wet.”

She looked up at him. “That heat causes my wetness.”

His nostrils flared at her response, and she swallowed a groan. She’d found over the last few days that allowing Sas to do what he wanted, explore where he wanted, was much more satisfying than telling him what she wanted. The man had an uncanny knack for finding just the right spot, rhythm, and pressure to send her catapulting into space with every orgasm.

His other hand found its way to her ass, and he squeezed her cheek.

In this position, he towered over her, making her five-foot eleven-inch frame seem tiny next to his more than seven feet of man-muscle.

His abs tensed before he let go of her ass to cup her face. He looked into her eyes, a rarity in and of itself, and she felt pinned to the spot with the intensity of his gaze. This man did nothing half way.

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him how she felt, when he moved his hand from her crotch and unbuttoned her jeans. He was very good at it since he both undressed and dressed her. After he unzipped her pants, he let his fingers run over her mons teasingly.

Pushing her jeans over her hips, he crouched down, allowing her to lean against him as he pulled them from each of her legs. He was quick to lift her feet, one at a time and divest her of her socks.

Then he hooked his fingers around the sides of her panties and pulled them down. When they were off, he took a deep breath as if the scent of her readiness was an aphrodisiac.

She expected him to taste her right then, but once again he surprised her. Instead, he leaned in and took one nipple in his mouth, tank top and all. The moan in her throat escaped as he sucked hard, bringing her to her toes. His hand behind her back held her against his mouth.

When he finally released her breast, her sheath was wet and her nipple throbbed with excitement.

He caught the hard nub with his fingers and proceeded to roll it, wet material rubbing along her nipple, spiking her need. Then his mouth encompassed her other breast, and he sucked that one, holding her in place.

By time he finished, she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her any longer. As if he sensed this, he stood and sat her on the table.

Her body responded to the memory of him taking her there the day before Timber arrived, a position that she’d instigated.

But he didn’t take her there. He did lift her tank from her body, causing her areolas to pucker as the wet material slid off her and the cabin air hit them.

Then he sank to his knees, putting his face level with her pussy. He spread her legs wide and blew at the moisture that lined her labia. He leaned in and licked at her readiness, his tongue diving between her folds, up around her clit and back again, his beard brushing against her sensitive skin.

She wanted to hold his head to her, but her hands were useless. The best she could do was rest her arms on his shoulders.

Sas looked up at her, his eyes boring into her, his desire causing her to shudder, but she couldn’t look away. When his two fingers pushed into her opening, her body caught fire. Still, she couldn’t tear her gaze from his. He started to pump his fingers in and out as he watched her.

The sensations inside her built so strong, she closed her eyes and let her head fall back. At the touch of Sas’ tongue on her clit, she snapped her head back up. “Oh yes.”

He didn’t even hesitate as if he knew exactly how amazing it felt to have his fingers thrusting and his tongue licking. She felt her orgasm creeping up, the pleasure growing quickly. She tensed, her body ready to let go.

Sas pulled his fingers out and stood.

She moaned in disappointment, her tingling body calming without his touch.

He tilted her head up and lowered his lips to hers in a kiss so tender it surprised her into opening her eyes. When he broke it off, he cupped her cheek. “I need you now.”

His words sent a rush of moisture flooding her sheath. At the look in his eyes, she nodded, her throat too tight to say anything.

“Wrap your arms around my neck.”

She did as he requested and as he straightened, she wrapped her legs around his waist, his cock touching her ass.

He moved to the supporting post in the middle of the cabin. One side held the table, but the opposite side was empty and it was that side that hit her back as Sas pushed her against it. He was forceful, yet careful, a summation of his entire character.

Her short time to think ended as he held her ass aloft with one hand and positioned his cock against her entrance with the other.

She knew what would happen next, and the anticipation sent signals to her body to open for him.

He didn’t move, though she felt his whole body tensing, its hardness even harder. This wasn’t the first time he asked silent permission to enter her, and it had only taken once for her to understand. When he let go, he wasn’t in control. She liked to think she caused that.

She turned her face toward his neck. “Now Sas.”

As if his cock was the arrow in a crossbow, it speared her to her cervix in one quick thrust, slamming her butt against the post and throwing her to the edge of climax. She locked her arms around his neck as his hips pulled back and he thrust again.

She responded in kind, her hips meeting him as he entered then pressing her ass against the post as he pulled away. One arm wrapped around her and the post as if he couldn’t bear for a smidge of air to come between them while his other grasped her ass, directing their rhythm.

Her body tingled with excitement as his rhythm increased, his thrusts spearing her, pushing her butt against the post, his raw need for her fueling her ecstasy. Through the thrills of his love-making she sensed something different.

Desperation.

She barely had time to recognize the feeling before her body took all thought away as it splintered into a thousand pieces.

Sas’ shout as he came inside her filled the cabin, his release spiking her own.

As usual, it took them a long time to come down. She wanted to hold him close, but without her hands all she could do was cross her arms behind his neck and press her face to his shoulder.

Concern began to worm its way into her consciousness. She lifted her face to look at him, but his forehead rested against the post above her head. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t move a muscle. It was as if he’d been frozen in time at the peak of his ultimate contentment.

Finally, he spoke to the post in a raspy whisper. “I decline to answer.”

Hurt and frustration hit her, making her wish she’d never suggested that phrase, but determination soon followed. She’d find out, one way or another.

She kissed his collarbone, completely confident in his ability to hold her up.

He pulled his head from the post. “What are you doing?”

“I’m kissing you, what else? I’d kiss your nipple if I could reach it.”

His cock, still buried deep inside her, moved.

She loved that she could make his body react so easily. Now if she could get his heart in sync with hers, she’d be totally happy. Then what? The question came, unwanted. She didn’t want to think about that.

Sas stepped away from the post, keeping her tight against him as he walked toward the bed.

When he sat on the edge, she eyed his nipple. Now she could make good on her suggestion. Leaning forward, she circled his nipple with her tongue, something she’d been dying to do for days. Without her hands to entice him, all she could use was her mouth.

Beneath her ass, his thigh muscles tensed. She grazed her teeth over his hard nub before sucking it into her mouth. Pressure inside her sheath proved he enjoyed her mouth as much as she enjoyed his.

She moved to his other nipple and played it with her tongue.

Sas’ hands roamed from her ass to her back. Suddenly, he pulled away from her mouth. “You’re hurt.”

“What? No, I’m not.”

His large hand brushed down the right side of her spine. “You are.”

She shook her head. “No, really I’m fine. That’s just—oh.” Sas started to massage her back muscles and it felt so soothing, his large hand covering so much skin at once.

He stopped his movements and began pushing her off him.

“Wait, I’m okay. Really.” She groaned as she slid off him and he set her on her feet, her knees not really capable of holding her up, but she didn’t have to worry about it. Within seconds, Sas had her lying on her tummy, her arms at her sides, palms up so they wouldn’t get hurt.

He climbed onto the bed and straddled her thighs. “Your skin is red from the post. I was too rough.”

She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see her. The man was too hard on himself. “No, you weren’t too rough. I loved it.”

He didn’t respond. No surprise there, but when he started to massage her entire back, she grinned. Maybe it was okay if he thought he was too rough.

Sas’ hands were like magic, kneading her muscles from her shoulders to her back. As he continued lower, he moved back, straddling her knees as he focused on her ass. She could imagine the red marks went down that far since she’d been instrumental in pulling her hips back against the post.

As he massaged her cheeks, he spread them then moved them together over and over. She had the feeling he was no longer soothing her and doing more of his own exploration. The man was nothing if not thorough.

When he squeezed one ass cheek but not the other, she had a feeling she knew what was coming and her sheath moistened all over again.

Sas ran is large finger down her crease, over her anal rose and almost to her sheath opening. The tingles of pleasure that skittered throughout her core surprised her. He hadn’t done anything but touch her.

“I understand this is another place for intercourse, but not all women like it.”

Her sheath tightened at his words. She grinned at his unspoken question. “Yes, but you need lube to fit in there.”

His finger ran along the same line again only with a little more pressure. Shoot, the man was making her wetter than the Trevi Fountain.

Sas moved his hands to cup her ass and push it up.

Naturally, she tilted her hips, giving him a view of her moist entrance. That gave her an idea. Carefully, she moved her arms so she could get her elbows under her and pushed backwards, lifting her butt so she was in the doggy style position, only on her elbows instead of her hands.

At her initial movement, Sas shifted back across her calves, but she felt him move close again. When his cock brushed her tailbone, she smiled. The man could take a hint.

Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to enter her. His fingers found her moist folds and played around her clit. After winding her up, his hand disappeared to reach around her waist and lift her to a kneeling position. One arm remained securely around her while the other hand played…with everything.

He started with her breasts, squeezing one then the other before rolling each nipple and giving it a pinch. Then he turned her head toward him and kissed her until she couldn’t breathe, his tongue dominating her mouth.

When he was satisfied with that, he moved his hand down over her mons and cupped her, deftly inserting his middle finger inside. He pressed his palm against her clit as his finger stroked in and out of her.

It was a good thing he held her because the sensations racing through her made it impossible to keep herself upright. Small squeals of delight escaped from her as her body readied for another orgasm.

Sas pulled his hand away. He was becoming very proficient at revving her up and then slowing things down. Though it was frustrating, she knew from experience that the end result would be worth it. He slowly let her bend forward again and she braced herself on her elbows, careful to keep her hands from pressing into the quilt.

Her mind quickly shifted to her opening where Sas now stroked his cock.

The urge to push back onto it was strong, but she forced herself to wait. It would be even better when he was ready.

When his hand grasped her hip and his cock stopped at her entrance, she swallowed hard. “Yessss.”

Her hissed word wasn’t even completed before he grasped her other hip and thrust his cock deep inside her. Sparks lit up behind her closed eyes at the pleasure that ripped through her, but she had no time to bask in it.

Sas pulled his hips back and rammed his cock home again, pulling her ass toward him at the same time. His moan told her he felt every spike of excitement that she did.

He pulled back again and thrust forward, setting off a string of fireworks throughout her pussy. She panted as he pulled away then buried himself deep once more.

She felt her orgasm barreling toward her as Sas grasped her hips hard and pumped into her again. Out. In. Out. In. Her sheath sucked at him as her orgasm hit and she let herself go, gliding on a wave of joy that suffused her whole body.

Sas didn’t move, his own release filling her, bringing her joy to a level she’d never had before with anyone. He bent over her, grasping her against him as his hips pumped a few more times before they both finished their journey of bliss.

She couldn’t keep her ass up any longer and slowly slid down to her stomach. Sas kept his weight off her, but didn’t let her break their connection. Carefully, he rolled them over onto their side, his cock still deep inside.

She lay in his arms as her breathing slowed. This was what she wanted, to have him hold her and stay with her all night. Of course, it wasn’t night yet. It wasn’t even lunch time. Sas’ need for her hadn’t waited long enough for Timber to walk out of sight. That alone filled her heart with happiness.

“Sas?”

“Yes.”

“Could you sleep with me tonight, all night?”

He didn’t answer right away. If he declined to answer at all, she had a feeling she might do him bodily damage.

“Why?”

His question caught her off guard. “Because I like being next to you, not just for sex, but just to be close to you.”

“If I sleep with you, there may be too much sex.”

At his answer, her whole body lit up and her sheath squeezed him. “That’s okay.”

“But you need your rest.”

She turned her head to look over her shoulder, but she couldn’t see his expression. It felt like he was making excuses. “Will you? Look, if you don’t want to be near me at night, just tell me.” She bit her lip at the hurt sound in her voice. He’d probably pull away now.

He didn’t. His arm tightened around her, and he buried his face in her hair. They lay like that in silence, her harsh retort hanging in the air. Had she been wrong? Did he not feel the same about her that she felt about him?

Sas lifted his head. “I would like to sleep with you.”

Her whole body relaxed in relief. She hadn’t realized exactly how much she cared about him until that very moment. “Good because I want to sleep with you. I mean at night, not now.”

His hand wandered from her waist to her cheek. He stroked her there for a moment before he gave one of his silent sighs. “I need to finish readying the meat for storage.”

She nodded. “I know.”

His hand left her face and he braced it on the bed as his hips moved away from her. She missed him, but knowing they would sleep together gave her something to look forward to.

She rolled over to watch him walk out the door to shower, his ability to stand the cold mindboggling. That he would be back to wash her up had her smiling. There were definitely some advantages to not being able to use her hands. Sas was very thorough.