Grace

My head was pounding out of control as I lay in the most comfortable bed in the world. It felt like my body was cradled just right even though my skull was thumping. I moved my legs, trying to stretch them out. It took a moment to realize that I wasn’t supposed to be in a bed, let alone a house; I was on a camping trip. Where the hell was I? And how much trouble was I in?

I looked toward the foot of the bed to see two huge men and a woman about my height, but fuller, staring at me. Even in my confused state, I was completely aware of the younger man in the middle. He was watching me so intently that I could feel his eyes boring into my soul. His massive, muscled arms were folded across his broad chest with his hands resting in the crook of his elbows while his chest heaved. I should be afraid of the way he was looking at me, but I wasn’t. He had predator written all over him, evident in the sheer size of him. I knew I shouldn’t be where I was, but couldn’t help it. I had the money to pay for the damages, but it was still wrong of me.

The strength of his stare forced me to turn my attention to the other two. First to the clearly older man, a slightly shorter version of the brooding beast in front of me. The hair was dark, but graying at the temples. I looked at the woman who was beautiful and carrying a medical kit, reminding me that every part of my body was hurting. Their expressions, unlike the beast, were filled with concern.

A low growl came from the one in the center. My eyes darted to him, seeing not so much anger now, but the same concern that I saw on the other two. “I’m sorry,” I choked out, feeling nervous and in pain.

“Oh, no, dear don’t be sorry,” the kind woman said, coming to my side and sitting on the bed next to me. “Can you tell us what happened? How you ended up here?”

“I was…” I stopped, feeling his eyes on me and embarrassed about going to the bathroom in the woods.

“We know you’re the woman that went missing. I meant what happened to you downstairs.”

“Well, I was looking for help, but no one was here. I walked around the back, hoping maybe you were there when a large cougar saw me. It happened so fast, but it came after me and I jumped through the open window, crashing into everything. I’m terribly sorry about the mess. I can pay to have it replaced.”

“That chair was one of a kind,” the giant handsome man muttered. I started to cry. One bad thing after another and I was worn thin.

Immediately, he rushed to the other side of the bed leaning over it, causing me to flinch in fear. Seeing my reaction to him, he stepped back like I’d struck him. “I wasn’t going to hurt you. You don’t have to be afraid of me,” he said without taking his eyes from mine. With him standing so much closer, I could see his pupils dilate, leaving those honeyed irises sliver thin. A piercing stare that I could get lost in. This wasn’t good. I must have done some serious damage to myself. The first thoughts of desire in my head and they were for a total stranger whose bed I hijacked.

“I’m sorry. I need to go back to my camp.”

“No,” he barked out.

“What he means is that you’re hurt and shouldn’t be moved. I was a nurse before retiring last year. Let me assess the wounds and then we can go from there. Okay?”

“Yes, please. I need to let them know where I am. They’ll be worried.”

“We will inform them and tell them to call off the search. You need to let me examine you and then rest.” I simply nodded because she was right. Parts of me hurt more than I cared to think about. “Now, boys, please leave so I can tend to her.”

The older man started to make his way out of the room until he noticed the beastly man wasn’t moving. “Son, come on. It’s not proper for you to be in here.”

“It’s my room,” he grumbled as he willed his feet to leave. He took one last look at me before he closed the door behind them.

As soon as they were gone, she started the examination. “Nothing seems broken, but you are bruised and have several lacerations. Nothing we can’t take care of right here.” Her bedside manner was so welcoming, but all I could think about was the beast and the warning that he came with.

“Excuse me, but who are you?” I felt embarrassed that I hadn’t made an introduction sooner. She was looking at me personally and I had no idea who any of them were or where I was.

A sheepish smile came over her lovely features. “Sorry, I’m Anna Lockwood. My husband is Edward and that grumpy ogre is Logan.” Logan…that was a strong name, kind of reminded me of Wolverine.

“Is there somewhere else I can rest? Your son doesn’t want me in his room, or house for that matter.” The last bit came out a little pathetic. Almost as though I wanted him to welcome me.

She patted my hand in a calming gesture. “Oh, Logan’s a bit territorial. He’d pee on everything if he wasn’t afraid I’d strangle him. You will just stay put and let me get you all cleaned up.” She added several butterfly stitches and some bandages with topical ointment. It stung and I groaned with every gentle touch. The way she passed off her son’s attitude brought a hint of a smile to my face. She wasn’t even close to his size, but I could just picture her pulling him by his ear if he gave her trouble. She caught my smile and returned it. Once she was done, she left to start dinner, promising to check on me soon.

A few minutes later the big man came in the room again. Logan didn’t say a word, just set down a glass of water and two tablets on the nightstand next to the bed. Then he took the cover off me and gently wrapped his hands around my uninjured waist and sat me up. I gasped at his touch; it felt so strong and soft at the same time.

 Our eyes met and something unexplainable passed between us. The best way I could describe it was magnetic. His large hand brushed my hair away from my face, sending a jolt of comforting pleasure over me. I instinctively pressed my cheek against it, seeking to claim more of his touch. “I’m going to keep you, my little Goldilocks.” His words should have felt threatening, but they only served to pull me toward him.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I whispered, turning my eyes up to his. The possessiveness in his tone made me wonder if he’d try to pee on my leg. 

“Good, because I’ll never let anything happen to you again.” His solemn oath caused my heart to pound, thumping so hard that it scared me. He stepped back and handed me the glass of water and pills. “Please take them.” I did as he asked, trusting that I was safe with him.

“Rest my beautiful Grace.” He took the glass and set it back down, kissed my forehead and then swiftly left the room without turning around this time. I ducked back down under the covers and fell fast asleep.