Safe In Your Arms Read Free

who I was talking to.” His sarcastic chuckle made her feel ashamed for only a moment before she remembered what he’d done while she was unconscious and unprotected.
    “Thank you? For what? For stripping me naked, taking my clothes and weapons, and doing heaven knows what to me while I was out? I should be cutting your hands off right now!” Her rage, born out of embarrassment and humiliation, only burned hotter as he huffed out a derisive grunt of arrogance.
    “Not every man is after your body, Duchess.” Mina bit her lip as his head dropped close to hers and his warm breath fanned against her cheeks. It smelled clean and minty, evidence that he’d already brushed his teeth. “All I did was get you out of wet clothes and dress you and your cut. Infection is not to be taken lightly when there are no doctors or nurses around to administer to illness and wounds.”
    “I didn’t ask for your help,” she snapped.
    “You didn’t exactly complain or fight me when I was helping get you away from the Zs either.” An impatient growl left him as he shook his head. “Why am I wasting my breath with you? I’m going to let you up now. I’ll forgive your ungracious behavior this one time, but the next time you strike me, prepare to be hit back. I’m no gentleman, Duchess.”
    Mina froze as he rolled off of her with an agile speed to stand up at the entrance to the cave. The early morning light backlit him, making him look even bigger and more of a threat. She slowly pushed herself up and slid back until her rear hit the edge of the mattress. “Touch me and I’ll make you wish you hadn’t,” she hissed at him as she reached out and picked up the shaving kit beside her. It wouldn’t do much damage, but it would add weight to her punch.
    “Believe me, I’m already regretting touching you.” He sighed, shrugged, and reached up above his head. A blanket flipped down, blocking out the early morning light. He moved forward and she heard what sounded like wood falling into the small fire pit. Seconds later a match lit, illuminating his face for a split second before he held it down to the wood.
    “We’ll have more light in a moment. We can only have a fire at certain times during the day. Early morning and at dusk. The Z’s don’t see the light or smoke as well during those times. As they decay, their eyesight seems to deteriorate. Unfortunately their sense of smell only gets better.”
    “What are you, a zombie doctor?” She bit her lip as the sarcastic defense left her mouth.
    “No, I’m just someone who knows that to fight a war, one must know as much about his enemy as possible. You and your buddies obviously didn’t know shit about the Z’s.” His gruff voice made her flinch. “Lesson one, no loud noises. Scream and the Z’s go into a feeding frenzy. Two, if you’re going to shoot them, aim for the head, but never when you’re outnumbered or cornered. Three, never get cornered, always have an out. Four, flickering light attracts them like moths. Your group didn’t just break all the rules; they attracted the Z’s right to my backyard.”
    “You might have warned us, you know. How long were you watching us? Why didn’t you at least show yourself? You could have saved them—”
    “Show myself to three men and two women, all heavily armed with assault rifles and pistols? You’re right. I should have invited you all back to my cave for a barbeque.” His sarcasm was evident as he knelt to move some of the wood that was just starting to smoke. “What world are you living in, woman? This is every man for himself.”
    “Yet you saved me. Why?” She clutched the shaving kit as he looked up at her just as the wood caught, sending flames flaring up. The light illuminated his male features. She bit her lip at the intense expression on his handsome face. In the light of the flickering flames she could easily make out the shaggy hair framing his face and covering his forehead. His face was smooth and