“Let’s get you a cold compress.” I took the lamp into the kitchen, leaving him in darkness, and rummaged around looking for a tea towel. I checked the icebox, a literal padded box with a block of ice inside, used the pick to chop off a chunk, and wrapped it in the towel.
“Do you think it’s broken?” I asked, returning to him.
Lorcan shook his head as he tied the towel tightly around his injured ankle. “Might be. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve broken a bone, although this might be the dumbest way.”
“Here. Take these.” I handed him two tablets from the outside world and a glass of water.
“What are they?”
“Advil. Ibuprofen. You took them after Manchester.”
“So, you’re not trying to poison me.”
I huffed a laugh. “I’ve considered it, but no.”
After examining them, he tossed the pills into his mouth and swallowed them. I pulled his hand, encouraging him to get up, and put his arm around my shoulders.
“Come on. You can’t sleep down here anymore.”
“I’m not going to try anything. If you don’t want me to touch you, I won’t. I’ll stay on my side of the bed.”
I was too busy navigating the stairs with him leaning on me to glower properly.
“But if I did, you’ll be happy to oblige me.”
“Of course, Princess. Say the word.” Lorcan dared to buss a kiss against my hair.
I rolled my eyes. “This is only because I feel bad about forcing you to sleep beneath the stairs in your own home.”
“You always know how to flatter a man’s ego, Zosia.”
I pinched his waist. Flutters in my stomach. Teasing, like old times.
“You don’t need me to flatter your ego, Knight. You have Tahra for that.”
“She’s a good kid. It’s hard for them. A lot of the boys her age either died fighting or are away defending Oceanside. She’s harmless.”
Every comment I could make would reveal my insecurities, so I kept my lips sealed.Good kiddoesn’t sound like something he’d say about a woman he was sleeping with. I don’t know this man anymore, though. I doubt I ever knew him as well as I thought.
We made it awkwardly up the stairway and over to the bed. Lorcan’s hair spiked the moonlight coming in through the window, throwing his features into shadow, sharp and beautiful. He laid back with a groan.
“This is so much better. I can stretch my legs all the way.”
I indicated that he should lift his leg so I could elevate his injured foot with a pillow. Lorcan seemed to find this fussy of me. He also clearly enjoyed it. Once he was tucked in properly, I had to figure out how to get into the bed. He’s taken the side closest to the edge. Lorcan yawned and patted the place next to him, nearer to the wall.
“Come on, Zosh.”
There’s no help for it. I clambered inelegantly over him, momentarily straddling his waist with my nightgown hiked up around my thighs.
He enjoyed that, too. Scheming man, as well as blind. I might not be quite as emaciated as I was a month ago, but I’m a long way from recovered. There’s nothing to ogle. Or desire.
Before my head hit the pillow, he snaked an arm around my torso and pulled me close against his side.
“What was that noise about not touching me?” I complained, but I already had my head on his shoulder and my palm flat in the center of his chest, near his heart.
“Indulge me. I sleep better if I know you’re safe.” He yawned. “I haven’t slept well in a long time.”
“You’re not being remotely subtle.” I burrowed closer to his side. “I’m onto you, Lorcan. I know what you’re trying to do.”
