Words of Love Read Free Page A

raindrops, she actually seemed to see him. He hadn’t realized she had hazel eyes. He grasped her lightly by the arms and searched her face.
    “Are you okay?” he said, quietly. She slowly nodded. “Well,” he said, watching her lips. “Would you mind saying that? Just to humor me?”
    “I’m–” she started, just as lightning flashed. She jumped and a tiny scream escaped from her. Then she shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she blurted out. Her eyes welled up with tears as the trembling ramped up and she shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to hold back a sob.
    She was sorry?
    He took a half-step forward and gently hugged her. He was the one who’d put them in danger. He was the one who’d knowingly set out in the face of a monsoon.
    “No,” he said. “I’m the one who should be sorry.” She buried her face in his chest and he felt her crying. “Please, Jessica, don’t cry,” he said quietly. “I’m so sorry.”
    Obsession, his obsession, had nearly got them killed. Then, he remembered the singe on the back of her shirt.
    “Let me see your back,” he said suddenly.
    He didn’t give her a chance to reply as he looked over her shoulder and down her back. Even in the lantern light, he could see that the white cloth was definitely scorched.
    “Dammit,” he muttered.
    He tried to lift the fabric away from her skin but it was too wet. Quickly, he separated from her and began to unbutton her blouse.
    “What…?” she said.
    “I need to see your back,” he said, his voice strained.  
    He realized his own hands were quaking a bit. Finally, the last button was undone and he turned her around and slipped the shirt from her shoulders. The skin of her back was a milky white but, in a vaguely oval shape that ran from above her bra to the top of her right shoulder, it looked as though she’d been sunburned.
    “No,” he muttered. The lightning strike had been close enough to burn her. He blinked at the pink skin. “You’ve got a burn.” The first aid stuff–there’d be something for a burn. “I’m going to get the medical kit,” he said.
    But she turned and tried to throw her arms around him, hampered by the white shirt hanging at her elbows and draped around her waist. She gripped the shirt at his waist.
    “Don’t go,” she pleaded. “Don’t leave me alone.”
    Lightning flashed and, even within the tent, the burst of light was visible. She flinched as the thunder peal echoed through the cavern. Her eyes were wide and the fear in them was undeniable.
    He quickly put his arms around her, careful not to press on the burn, keeping his embrace low. As she pressed into him, he felt her breath on his throat. It came in small puffs and her hands gripped him tighter.
    “I’m not going anywhere,” he said lowly.
    He felt her nod and realized she was still trembling.
    “I’m sorry,” she said again.
    “Don’t say that,” he said, quietly.
    But she didn’t seem able to stop herself.
    “I’m sorry,” she said again.
    He pulled back from her, though she didn’t let go, and he took her face in his hands. Tears were still glittering there.
    “Please don’t say you’re sorry,” he said, his voice louder than he’d intended. “This is my fault.”
    Her eyebrows furrowed and her lips parted as though she were going to say something but she didn’t and then she started to let go.
    But that was not what he had meant to happen. He wasn’t mad at her . He was mad at himself.  
    Lightning flashed again and she closed her eyes. The tears that had been brimming there started to fall–down her cheeks and then to her glistening lips. He stared at her mouth, pink and full, still quivering. Lightly, his thumb brushed across them. Though he’d intended to quell the small trembles, he only succeeded in making them worse. Suddenly he was struck by the silky feel of them under his touch. His eyes quickly swept down her chin, over her bare shoulders, and then moved down her slim torso.