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one more chance though he still felt he’d done nothing to inspire her ONE GOOD WOMAN SUSAN KELLEY 35
    anger. “We should be working together. It’s kept us alive and safe so far. I won’t be so dictatorial again. I trust you as a warrior and a person and only wish you felt the same.”

    He stabbed one of the fish and offered her the metal plate with the other one. She hesitated and then took it. The fire was nothing but a pile of ember now. The mint tea was weak and not that tasteful. He sipped some and then handed her the cup. Their fingers touched and another spurt of hot desire shot through his conscious-less cock.

    “I do trust you, Brady.” She so seldom said his name. Her whisper from the dark added some strange depth to the desire tightening his belly.

    “You don’t act like you do.” He stared in the direction of her voice, but he couldn’t see her where she sat in the shadows of the cliff and towering pines. The first moon would be overhead soon, and then she wouldn’t be able to hide from him.

    She handed the cup back to him. “You don’t know me.”

    “You don’t let anyone get to know you. Let’s get some sleep. I don’t think we need to set a watch. No one can see us if we sleep away from the edge.”

    She’d already spread the blankets one on top of the other. They’d never slept side by side as one of them was always on watch while the other slept. He pulled off his boots, but she remained seated against the stone wall.

    The last thing he wanted was another argument, but he wouldn’t sacrifice safety to appease her temper. “I should sleep closest to the front. I have the gun in case someone does find us and tries to climb up here.

    She went still, and he held his breath. His temper wouldn’t take another battle of wills or fists so calmly. After a long moment, she jammed her knife into the sandy soil a few times to clean the fish oils off of it. She crawled on her hands and knees to the blankets. With a short, brisk movements, she shook the top one out and then spread it beside the other one.

    He relaxed. Using some grass and a small amount of water from his bag, he cleaned the plate. After swigging the last of the mint tea, he stowed plate and cup in his pack in case they had to leave quickly. He set his sword and gun beside his blanket but didn’t expect to have to use them.

    The night was peaceful around them but as he stretched out on his side with his back to her, he sensed only tension on the shelf. Why? He’d slept near female warriors many times, though never alone. And never with this particular woman. This woman who confused him and awakened some fierce desire in him. But along with this was a strong desire to protect her that he found inexplicable considering her toughness. The fact was that the merest hint of protectiveness angered her and the smallest overture of a relationship was rudely rejected.

    But his body didn’t care. She was so close to him, he could roll over and take her into his arms. He could kiss her serious mouth and press her lean, muscular body to his. Her braid would unwind beneath his eager fingers, and her fine golden hair would curtain them in a nest of desire and lust.

    She spoke, her voice quiet and devoid of emotion. His brazen thoughts froze as did his body. He feared even his breathing might silence her.

    “I’ve always trusted you as a warrior, Brady. But I’ve never had a friend outside of Solonia. I’ve never trusted any man except Juston Steele.”

    He waited, sensing the importance of what was to come.

    “We might die here, if not by violence, then of old age still searching for a way home. I don’t want to die alone.”

    He turned to face her. “You’re not alone.”
    ONE GOOD WOMAN SUSAN KELLEY 36

    The moon had finally reached its apex and shone silvery light onto her.

    “I’ve been alone for a while now. Alone and dead.”

    He wanted to touch her, but he feared she would shatter. This strange moment would be