Page 66 of Her Faithful Protector

Camilla shuddered and tried to push back the memories of the men who had hurt her. It wasn’t working.

“Please hold me. Hold me, please,” she begged. She needed good touches. Loving touches.

“Are you sure?”

“I need you,” Camilla whispered.

He curled his arms around her head, his temple next to hers, their tears mingling. His thumb stroked her cheek with the lightest touch imaginable.

Camilla’s arms ached to touch him, absolutely ached.

“I’m here, Cami. I’m always going to be here,” he whispered against her temple. “You’re safe now.”

His words were like liquid oxygen; she soaked them in and they gave her life. Over and over again he soothed her with his words, with his touch.

20

“I’m good now,” she whispered.

I’m sure as hell not.

Nic lifted his head and looked down at her blue eyes. They were no longer filled with tears. He tried to determine if she was doing better or just saying that to make him feel better.

“Truly, Nic, I’m better now.”

Her smile was wobbly, but he’d let it go for the moment. He looked her over—not just her face, but her bandaged arms resting over the blankets and her poor bruised face. He knew for a fact that underneath the hospital gown she was covered in bruises all over her chest. It would be a miracle if she were truly ‘good’.

“Nic, stop that,” she said.

He looked back up and saw her eyes flashing.

“Was that your professor voice?”

“Yes, it was. Did it work?”

He gave her a slow smile. “It’s hot.”

“You did not just say that.” Her eyes were alight with laughter. He couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“How often do you lecture? I bet none of the boys ever pass one of your classes, they’re too busy fantasizing about you,” he teased her, wanting to continue to lighten the mood.

“You are out of your mind.” He loved it when she laughed. It was going to be a hell of a long haul to get over the trauma of her kidnapping; laughter was good.

“Seriously though, how are you feeling. How’s your pain level?”

She cocked her head to the side and gave him a considering look. “It’s manageable. If I have a problem, I’ll press the call button for the nurse.”

He nodded. “Sounds good.” He sat back down and dropped his clasped hands between his knees and tried to pull his thoughts together.

“A little while ago you asked me what I was trying to accomplish having you come and stay with me, right?”

“Right.”

He cleared his throat. “I want a second chance.”

Once again her blue eyes studied him like they could see right through him. She didn’t say anything for the longest time. “I’ve been thinking about those letters,” she started.

“Don’t,” he said fiercely. “What happened to those letters is in the past. I want to concentrate on our future.” He was pretty damn sure he knew what in the fuck happened to those goddamn letters and who he had to thank for them not getting to Cami, but he was serious, that was in the past. What mattered now was going forward.