Page 43 of Knight’s Salvation

Chapter 11

Zenon was afraid to move,to breathe, in case he woke and this turned out to be nothing but the best damn dream of his entire life.

His right ass cheek was numb, and his hip was aching, but he didn’t give a fuck. Mia’s warm hand rested on his chest where he’d put it an hour ago, and she hadn’t moved since. Her soft body was pressed into his, the entire length of her connected to him—and to his utter shock, he wasn’t freaking out. This felt…good. No, it felt fucking amazing.

Every puff of her breath tickled his neck and sent tingles across his scalp, and that felt good, too. The effect of having her close was a revelation, an addiction, a glut of sensation he couldn’t get a handle on but never wanted to end.

She’d seen him at his worst, seen him weak and vulnerable, but in that moment he couldn’t make himself care. He’d suffered far worse humiliation in his life, and what had happened here with Mia wasn’t that, and he refused to dirty it by going to that dark place now.

Still, he knew this was insanity. Why was he doing this to himself? He should get up, get the hell away. But he couldn’t. No way was he moving from this spot. Mia had taken care of him, even after the way he’d treated her. She’d never left his side, had lay down on the hard floor and used her body to warm him. Talked to him to take his mind off the pain. Hearing about her life, listening to her voice—yeah, he’d loved every minute of it, wanted to know more, know everything there was to know about her.

But this was all he could have. It would have to last him a lifetime. So, no, he wasn’t leaving this hard fucking spot on the carpet for anything.

She moved then, her arm tightening around him as she pressed in closer. He squeezed his eyes closed, absorbing it all, locking it in his memory. In a few minutes she’d wake and this would all be over.

He knew the minute she did. Her soft, pliant body stiffened moments before her fingers curled against him and her hand slipped away. The place her palm had rested went cold.

Sitting up, she scooted back a fraction. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what happened.” She looked down at him. “Are you okay?”

Zenon sat up, and his muscles protested after being locked up for so long. The blood rushed back to his ass cheek, causing pins and needles. He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m good.”

Her gaze traveled over him like she was assessing him, making sure he wasn’t trying to bullshit her. “Good. That’s good. I was worried.”

She didn’t look away and he knew she was waiting for him to offer some kind of explanation. But there wasn’t one, not one he could give her anyway.

“I, ah…” His eyes drifted lower. Holy shit. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze. She wore only a thin top and her panties. It took major effort not to stare. Mia was all lush curves and creamy smooth skin. The feel of those curves against him were now imprinted in his flesh.

She looked down at herself. “Oh.” Heat fired up her cheeks.

“I’ll just…” Zenon stood and turned his back while she gathered her clothes.

There were rustling sounds behind him then he felt her move closer. “I’m dressed.”

Thank fuck for that. When he turned back, he had to fight not to grin like an idiot. Her silky red hair was mussed but seriously sexy, and her sweater was on inside out and around the wrong way. When she tilted her head to the side he could see where the carpet had left an imprint on the left side of her face. She looked cute.

He must have been staring because she looked down at herself. “What?”

He stepped closer and touched the side of her face. Now he’d had a taste of her touch he couldn’t get enough. “I must have hogged the pillow.” His demon stirred, one hundred percent with him where this female was concerned.

When she lifted her hand, her fingers brushed his. And when she felt the dents in her skin, more heat hit her cheeks. This time he did grin, couldn’t help it. So. Fucking. Cute.

Her eyes widened then she ducked her head. “I don’t know what happened. I lay down and couldn’t keep my eyes open. I totally passed out.”

“Mia?” She looked up. “Thank you,” he rasped.

She bit her lip, blinked up at him. “It was…I was…” She shook her head. “Truthfully? I was scared to death. You were, God, you were cold, Zenon. So cold.”

“You warmed me.” Jesus, was that his voice?

Their stares locked and held. “Will you be okay now?”

“Yes.”

“Does it happen often?”

His hackles instantly rose. Anger was his usual tool to deflect these kinds of questions, but he didn’t feel that now. Mia only had concern for him. There was no ulterior motive behind her question. Still, old habits die hard. “Not really. It’s my shit to deal with, I guess.” He heard the don’t go there in his voice, and when she took a small step back, he knew the message was received loud and clear. Don’t ask the unstable one too many questions.

He hated himself.