Mistake - Chapter 8
Those words cut right to her heart. Did he also think of her as 'just a kid' like he had said about Sarah?
"Taking advantage of me? I started it." She said, holding back her tears.
"And I ended it. Look I'm sorry it's not you it's just...never mind. You really should just take some pain medication and try to get some sleep" he said as he handed her a bottle of water and two pills.
"Whatever." She said trying not to sound hurt.
He sat there watching her sleep. She looked amazing. He wondered whether he had made a mistake. Not in stopping things from going too far but how he explained things afterward. Chloe stirred a bit. She was dreaming. Brady closed his eyes and leaned against the side of the shelter shivering. He listened to the wind howl outside, then drifted to sleep.
"Brady!" Chloe screamed sitting up crying.
He was jolted out of sleep and ran to her. He took her in his arms. Stroking her hair and kissing her head.
"You were just dreaming. You're okay now, I've got you" Brady soothed.
"I had a dream you were hurt and I couldn't get to you and..."
"Shush, shhh"
"Brady?"
"Hmm"
"You're shaking and your skin is so cold"
"I'm fine"
"You're freezing. Come on get in here" she said gesturing to the sleeping bag.
"I already told you we can't, I mean it's..."
"Brady check your ego at the door, this way you will stay warm. Both our body heat combined will keep us extra warm"
"It's okay. I'm fine where I am"
"Stop being so stubborn and get in here" she demanded.
He got in and she did up the zipper. He took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. He let her hand go. She moved closer to him as he turned on his side and wrapped his arm around her. She felt so safe, so protected. She found his hand on her stomach and placed her own hand on top of his. She massaged his fingers and whispered.
"Are you warm enough?"
"Yes, thank you" is all he could manage as he felt his heart swell. Realizing the true intimacy, they were experiencing.
She woke up that morning because of the pain in her ankle. She realized she was practically draped across Brady. Her hand on his abdomen and her head on his chest. She looked at his face that for once looked at ease. She dared not move any more fearing she would wake him. So she let her head fall back down and moved her arm around him. Giving him a light squeeze.
He awoke with her on him. He smiled as he drew in her scent. Strawberry-kiwi shampoo is what he knew he was smelling. He lightly touched her hair only to be surprised when she looked up at him.
"Morning" she said.
"Morning. How's the ankle?"
"Throbbing"
"We better head somewhere so we can be spotted" he smiled down at her.
They didn't need to. A rescue crew was making their way into the makeshift shelter already. Chloe was brought to the hospital and fitted with a cast.
To be continued.....