Free Bent (The Gifted Series) by Elbie Sinclair Page A

free from her grip, sending it flying across the room.  Without thought, she cursed and threw the wet washcloth at his face.  He responded by sending the washcloth across the room to join the plate and food.
                  “Gawd, yer a stubborn arse!” she bellowed, but got no further reaction from him. 
                  Finally,  he spoke low, “How do you do this?” 
                  She glanced quizzically.
                  “How can you tolerate this, day after day?” He inhaled and exhaled deeply, intending to calm.
                  Mentally she scoffed at his complaint.  He’d barely gotten a taste of the misery that she and many others had suffered. 
                  “For almost two fucking years, Joss? How...?  How do you deal with this?  I’d rather be dead than suffer this indignity day after day.” 
                  Even though he wasn’t looking at her, she gave him her back. His comment cut deep.  Even though she’d planned her death many nights over, his words slashed what was left of her pride.  Did he think her soft and weak-minded?  A nothing so easily controlled? This felt worse than being homely.
                  A mental grimace. Maybe I am these things.  Maybe someone with true strength and self respect would have had the courage to off themselves rather than slave themselves.  But then she heard the tiny voice screaming from within. A voice that had never faltered. One that defended, “But I want to live.”
                  She was quiet for a moment, then solemnly approached the edge of the bed.  Defeatedly, she sat and answered, “It’s called survival, Carter.  I’m left with no other choice, and neither are you.”  Right then the lights went out, leaving them in darkness.
                  Silence stretched.  Soul-crushing silence that dripped of hopelessness.  At this realization, Joss couldn’t believe she was about to say these words.  Clearly he thought her unattractive and apparently weak, but the loneliness of almost two years without a welcomed touch provided courage.  “Would you lay with me?” Even though she couldn’t see him, she glanced over her shoulder. “Purely platonic, of course—just a warm body next to mine.  Just … the warmth of another.”
                  More silence.
                  She began to rise, embarrassed and awkward. “Sorry, it was a daft request—”
                  “Yes.” His deep voice resounded throughout the small space. “I think we could both use a little warmth.”
                  Her heart fluttered, and she heard him shift on the bed, creating a spot for her.  Carefully she joined him, lying in spoon formation.  Even though the cell remained at typically comfortable levels, the warmth resonating from his body was a heat she longed to absorb.  This may be platonic, but she needed this man’s touch, and it appeared he needed hers too.               
                  “Thank you,” she whispered.  A smile instantly bloomed when she felt his arm ease over her side.  Although he didn’t shift his body any closer, he did lay his palm on her taught tummy.  Excitement flourished as she snuggled into the mattress while giving thanks for the darkness because she couldn’t halt the smile at her lip or the tears that escaped her eyes.

     
        *     *     *     *

                  It took everything Carter had not to pull her slight frame firmly against his, but even beaten he knew if he did, he would sport instant wood.  A mental scoff—he’d been secretly sporting it all week, greatly appreciating the medical scrubs he’d been given to wear.  And no, he hadn’t been an outright tool, gawking at her like some lewd thirteen-year-old desperate for the latest Victoria Secret Mag.  He’d