Page 71 of War

Instead, the tent flaps are thrown open and War stalks inside.

I freeze at the sight of him, naked as the day I was born.

The horseman’s face and armor are speckled with blood and a thin coat of dust. Some of it sticks to his hair. My stomach drops at the sight.

War’s eyes find mine, and theyheat.

This is awkward.

So, so awkward.

I sink a little lower into the tub. “Hi.”

Hi?The fuck, Miriam?

Also, unrelated, but can he see my nipples? That’s a pretty large concern of mine.

“Wife.” His voice is gruffer than usual, and my core clenches at the sound. “You found my note.”

I did. A little too late judging from the fact thathe’s already back. How freaking long did I sleep?

Better question: how long was War evengone?

“Aren’t you still supposed to be out …” I can’t bring myself to say it.Killing people. “raiding?”

My eyes drop to his armor. The last time I saw him wearing his gear, it was riddled with bullet holes from Zara’s gun. Now, despite the dirt and blood splatter, the leather armor is smooth and whole once more.

How is that possible?

War strides inside his tent, distracting me. He begins to take off his regalia, starting with his big-ass sword. “I grew … anxious leaving you alone,” he says.

Him anxious? It’smewho’s the anxious one.

He removes his vambraces, then his leather shoulder guards. Next, he unlaces his chest armor, letting it all fall to the floor. Lastly, he removes his shirt.

I suck in a breath at the sight of him shirtless. Beneath all that armor is sweat-slick muscle. The tattoos on his chest burn crimson against his skin.

And that skin! It’s just as anomalous as his armor. I’ve seen bullets enter his flesh and swords slice it, yet his flesh carries no traces of those wounds. He told me he could heal himself, but only now am I seeing actual evidence of that.

War sits down heavily in one of his seats, the wood creaking at his weight. Leaning back, he folds his arms over his massive chest.

“Has anyone bothered you since I’ve been gone?” he asks.

When I meet his eyes, there’s still heat in them.

“No.”

To be honest, I’m pretty sure War stationed several of his men around the tent. There were way too many close footfalls for me to believe otherwise. And if there’s one thing this guy is good at, it’s overkill.

“And how are you feeling?”

Exposed. Vulnerable. Like my tits are on display. “Better.”

War unlaces his greaves and nods. “Good.” His eyes study my skin, and I know he’s checking to see how my injuries are healing, but all I can think is that he’s getting an eyeful of boob. And now it’s become too much of a thing in my mind to actually cover myself like a sane person.

“Close your eyes,” I say abruptly.

“Why?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. He’s still unlacing his shin guards.

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