Page 6 of A Raven Returns

Ash closed his eyes. How often had he said those same words?

Rather than arguing, he simply pulled back the blanket. “Come. Climb in.”

With a huff, she eventually acquiesced. She dropped the towel before lying on her side in the bed. He pulled the cover over her shoulder and tucked her in.

“Will you hold me, Ash? I promise I won’t try to seduce you again.”

Ash chuckled. “Just this once.” How could he possibly say no to those sad eyes? She looked so defeated. He climbed over her and squeezed his large frame between her and the wall, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her tightly against him. Even through the blanket, he could feel her curves. This was going to be one of the longest nights of his life.

“Get some sleep, Gwen.” To his surprise, she did. He didn’t know what he was going to do with her, but he would track down the bastard who had hurt her, and skin him alive for what he’d done.

ChapterThree

Gwen was a little disappointed when she woke. She didn’t even want to open her eyes. She’d been having a wonderful dream. Ash, ‘Lord Ashdown’, had saved her, once again, like a knight in shining armor. Even in her sleep-addled brain she laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. But when she did eventually allow her eyes to open, he was there, standing in the middle of the room. His clothes were a rumpled mess and he was tying an equally rumpled tie around his neck. It didn’t detract from the glorious shape of his body, though. The black fabric still hugged his tight backside and broad shoulders. She’d always been drawn to him in a way she couldn’t really explain.

Shame filled her belly as she remembered her behavior from the night before, throwing herself at him like some trollop. She might as well be. She’d been offering her body up as payment, after all.

He was nothing short of beautiful. Like an angel. A dark angel. She’d never seen him dressed in anything but black from head to toe. His dark hair was a bit unruly this morning and the shadow of a beard covered his face. So unlike him. Ordinarily, there was not a wrinkle to be found in his clothing, and not a hair out of place. But even as he was, confidence, power, and grace radiated from every inch of him. His station was so obvious. How had she never realized he was of the nobility?

“What’s so funny?” he asked without even looking her way.

“I thought I must have dreamt you up. Lord Ashdown, saving me from utter peril, once more.”

He finished with his tie and turned to face her. “Surely, if your mind had made it all up, you'd have at least been in a soft bed and warm.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” But she had been warm, and safe, in his arms. She yawned and stretched. As she sat up, she pulled the blanket with her to cover herself. Her cheeks warmed remembering how she’d paraded around the cabin naked, as if it were a perfectly normal thing to do in front of a man.

“I’m sorry, Ash. Last night was— let’s just say I was not on my best behavior, and I apologize for any embarrassment or uneasiness I may have caused you.”

He crossed the room and crouched before her, raising her chin gently to look into her eyes. “You don’t need to apologize to me, Gwen. Last night was not a typical night for you. We’ll just forget the whole thing happened, and move forward.”

He might forget, but she would always remember. Even now, she could feel the heat of his strong hands gripping her backside as she lay on top of him in the rain. She gave him a small nod and a meek smile. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Ash.”

A self deprecating smile grew on his lips, then. “It’s funny how those same words can have such a different connotation in my own head.” He stood and moved away from her, a slight unevenness in his stride.

“What happened to your leg?”

He waved a hand as if it was nothing. “Somebody shot me.”

Gwen gasped, but Ash simply shrugged. “It’s nothing serious, but the thing doesn’t seem to want to stop hurting. A bloody nuisance, honestly.”

He donned his wrinkled coat and picked up his cane. “I’m going to step out and give you some privacy to dress. I need to get back before they send out a search party.” He opened the door but then stopped and turned back. “Oh, and as much as I hate to ask this of you, I’m going to need you to address me by my title while we’re here. I can’t have my staff questioning my authority in any way at the moment.”

And just like that he was gone. No further explanation. She wasn’t even entirely sure what that meant. She dressed herself as best she could in her soiled, wrinkled clothes. What was she supposed to do with one boot? Should she just leave it behind? Or carry it with her?

That decision was made for her. When she walked out the door, Ash grabbed the boot and threw it back inside. “We’ll get you a new pair.”

She sighed and pressed her lips into a thin line. “I don’t have any money, Ash.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about. I’m sure I can scrape together enough for a pair of boots.” He winked, trying to make light of it.

“I don’t want to be a charity case, Ash.”

He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “The money doesn’t matter to me. Your welfare and comfort do. So, from this moment forward, you just start addressing me as my lord, instead of Ash, and I’ll buy you all the boots you need. Can you do that?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, my lord.”

“Thank you.”

---