It was hard keeping my focus off of Sansa, making myself understand that I couldn't be too forward in the things I wanted with her … in the things I want to do to her.

A few days had passed since I'd brought her to my cabin, and although she was healing nicely, my biggest worry was that she would leave. And I didn't want that. I wanted her to stay here, be my wife, the mother of my children.

I didn't give a fuck that I’d just met her, that these past couple of days that she slept in my bed I’d felt something more than I ever thought possible. But my primal, almost aggressive need to claim her, make her mine, would be considered barbaric by her.

Of that I had no doubt.

I might never have felt a woman's touch, never felt that warm, wet heat. I had never lost myself in the pleasure of sex. But with Sansa I wanted to do that. I wanted that and more.

I just needed to show her that we could have a good life here, that her leaving wouldn't benefit her. I don't know where she planned on going, but she would be safe here with me. I would make sure of that until the day I died.

I stayed in the corner and worked on building a new blade. Periodically I glanced up, unable to keep my gaze off of her. She was gorgeous, innocent and vulnerable. The man in me wanted to protect her, wanted to shield her from the ugliness of the world.

Just the very thought of what would happen to her if she was still down the mountain, if the government had gotten her, made the rage in me burn even brighter. I wanted to destroy anything and anyone that tried to take her from me.

“I have to go out later and hunt for food. You're safe in here and it shouldn't take me more than a couple hours.” I didn't want to leave her, didn't want to make her even more vulnerable than she was. But she was safe in the cabin, and I'd make sure it stayed that way.

But bringing her out with me to the woods while I hunted wasn't the best option. She was still healing, and if she got harmed while we were out I would never forgive myself.

She stared at me, and I could see there was a slight hesitation, confusion, maybe even worry in her expression. Would she try and leave once I was gone?

She had no reason to trust me, because even if I had saved her and she'd been here for the last couple of days healing, I was still a man. She knew the world we lived in, and no doubt it was hard for her not to be afraid of men in general.

But I had to show her that she could trust me.

I stood and took a step toward her. She sat at a chair by the table, the bowl of stew I'd made for her half eaten. I was glad she had an appetite and was able to keep things down. But I needed to stock up. I needed to make sure she had enough food.

Her well-being was my first priority now.

I didn't say anything else as I walked over and grabbed my pack, which had a couple of strips of jerky in it and a jug of water. Although I knew these woods like the back of my hand, anything could happen, so I was always prepared.

I strapped myself with a few extra blades, grabbed my bow and arrow, and walked over to the wall where I had set my ax. When I was ready to go I turned around and faced Sansa. She watched me with wide eyes, taking in my frame with all my weapons attached to me.

Although I didn't want to leave her, didn't want to risk her thinking she had to escape me, I also couldn't stay. I had to find food, had to get sustenance to make sure she was taken care of.

“Please stay inside, Sansa. It's not safe out there and I promise you, leaving won't be in your best interest because of all those dangers.” I took a step toward her, wanting to pull her into my embrace, wanting to hold her, touch her, smell her. “I won't hurt you. I’d never hurt you. I just want to take care of you, and that involves me having to leave to go find food. And if I thought you were strong enough, ready, I'd bring you with me.”

She didn't respond, but I didn't expect her to. What could she say? I wouldn't keep her prisoner even if I wanted to. I wouldn’t chain her up and demand that she care for me in return. I had to work on that, work at it. I had to gain her trust, and that would start now.

So, without saying anything else, without letting my thoughts and worry consume me, I gave a sharp nod and left out the front door. It was hard leaving her, not knowing if she'd be back when I returned.

But the truth of the matter was that if she did leave I’d track her. I'd find her and bring her back because that was what would keep her safe.

* * *

Otto had left less than twenty minutes ago, and I wondered what the smart move would be. I could stock up on some supplies he had and leave before he got back, hoping that I didn't get harmed in the process again, or maybe hoping I ran into someone who could help me.

But he has helped you. He's fed you, kept you warm. He's helped heal you, and even left you alone to get more food for you.

I opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. For long seconds I just stood there, listening, looking around the property. The thick forest surrounded the cabin on all sides. It made me feel a little safer, but also isolated.

I tipped my head back and saw some kind of netting that stretched across the top of the cabin attached to the trees. I could see foliage on it, years’ worth of vines creeping along it. It was then I realized it was camouflage for any aircraft that flew over. They wouldn’t be able to see the cabin with the covering.

Smart.

There was some sort of small building off to the side, maybe to hold supplies? There were also a couple dented and clearly weathered metal-looking containers. They were huge and I wondered what he stored in there. Maybe water, more supplies?

The sound of wildlife picked up and I stepped toward the railing, looking out toward the thick forest that served as a gate for the perimeter of the cabin. I didn’t know how high up we were, but I knew it was high enough that this place had been untouched by outsiders.

I needed to decide what I would do, needed to weigh the pros and cons. Truth was, I had no plan in mind. Even when I had left my home all I'd been thinking about was escaping, getting as far away from civilization as possible. And this was as far away from that as I could get. This was isolation.

This is what I have been searching for.

It was clear Otto had been here for a long time. We shared a devastating past of losing our parents. As much as I couldn't push through the thoughts that he was still an unknown stranger to me, a man living alone, we were one and the same. Leaving now wouldn't be in my best interest, like he'd said.

Leaving now might get me killed … or worse, captured and sold off.

I could stay here for a while at least, help around, earn my keep. Once I was stronger, maybe had a better idea of what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, then I could venture away.

And what about these feelings I have for him? What about the intense attraction that he brings out in me?

I shook my head, not even wanting to entertain those thoughts. I'd never experienced arousal, never even known I could have these kinds of sensations. Being kept in my home, away from everyone and everything, had saved my life, but it also made me unaware of the things—the emotions—that I could feel.

I stepped off the porch and walked the perimeter of the cabin. I saw a decent sized garden with wire and netting surrounding it, presumably to keep the wildlife away. There was an array of vegetables, and past that I could see rows of wild raspberry, strawberries, and blackberry bushes.

I walked over to the metal containers and lifted up one of the lids. Water. At this angle I could now see the drain that went from the container up to the shed that collected the rainwater.

I went back inside and moved over toward the kitchen. I saw a few pots that had seen better days, some stacked dried meat, and fruit and vegetables in wooden bowls.

This man was self-sufficient in everything, and this was exactly the kind of life I wanted.

I decided then that I’d make the best of it. I could cook him a meal. It wouldn't be anything extravagant, but it would be hot and fill his belly after he came in from hunting. It was the least I could do for him, seeing as he’d helped me so much.

And then maybe we could talk about the next step.