Free The Loner by Genell Dellin Page B

the room and into the kitchen, closing the door behind him with a smart slap.
    Narrow-eyed, Cat stared at it. Now they were enemies again.
    And she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that.

Chapter 5
    S he threw back the covers and, moving slowly, sat up, swung her feet off the side of the bed, felt underneath the edge for the lidded chamber pot, and pulled it out. By being very careful with every movement she made, and using the edge of the bed as support, she managed to use and replace it without causing a great deal more pain in her shoulder. At least not unbearable pain.
    It was true that she was sore all over but it actually made her feel better to move around. She needed to be as active as she could so she’d be ready when the time came to escape.
    An idea hit her. Maybe she should annoy BlackFox as much as possible so he’d be wanting to get away from her. Surely she could make him leave her alone for a little while, from time to time. If he could get into that habit, then one of those times he’d come back and find her gone. This new, hopeful scheme made her smile to herself.
    Besides, she desperately did need to wash up. It galled her to ask him for any help at all, but it would serve both those purposes if she did.
    â€œBlack Fox?” she called.
    She thought she hadn’t spoken loudly enough, but he heard her and knocked on the door.
    â€œCat?”
    â€œCome in.”
    He swung the door wide and left it that way.
    â€œWould you please bring me some water to wash my hands and face?” she said. “And some elm twigs so I can make a toothbrush?”
    Instead of the annoyance she had hoped for, she caught a glimpse of sympathy across his face.
    â€œYou’re suddenly full of plans,” he said speculatively, as if wondering just how helpless she really was.
    â€œI feel dirty,” she said. “After breakfast, maybe you’d help me take a bath.”
    The shock in his eyes came and went as quickly as the sympathy had, but she saw it. He shrugged and leaned back against the doorjamb in a sure, careless gesture that, for some reason, made her heart skip a beat.
    â€œFor somebody who’s so loathe to have a man touch her that she can hardly bear for him to save her life,” he said wryly, “you’re bold as brass. Have you forgotten that I’m a man?”
    The question was so preposterous it made her laugh.
    â€œNo,” she blurted, “I couldn’t forget you’re a man if my mind left me completely.”
    Then she turned red as a summer sunset.
    â€œI…I mean, uh…I meant help me by bringing water and towels,” she stuttered. “I can wash myself.”
    She could barely talk and she could hardly think at all because her imagination had leapt to life, making whole scenes of Black Fox bathing her. She could see him bending over her, his broad shoulders blocking out the window light and making a small part of the world for them alone. His dark gaze fixed on hers while he caressed her with those big, strong hands, his rough palms slipping over her soapy, wet skin.
    â€œWill you not need any soap?” he drawled.
    Cathleen pushed the vision away and really looked at him again, standing there leaning against the doorjamb with his gaze resting on hers. Honestly, though, that didn’t help a bit.
    â€œWell…” She had to stop and swallow hard. “…yes. I will…need soap.”
    Her breath caught in her throat. Her blood surged faster through her veins.
    Those dark, dark eyes of his were looking right into her mind and seeing what she was thinking. She would swear that was true.
    His beautiful mouth curved up on one side in a lazy half-smile.
    â€œGood decision,” he drawled.
    He was teasing her again, and it made her feel strangely warm inside. No one had talked to her very much, much less teased her, in a long, long time.
    She narrowed her eyes in mock anger.
    â€œAre you saying I need