Page 69 of Harbor Lights

“What about you? Will you stay with me?” The tremor in Shiv’s voice tugged at Con’s chest.

“Of course. I said I would, didn’t I? I’ll take that armchair and pull up the stool. I’m pretty tired anyway.” She had no intention of sleeping. She would watch over Shiv all night until she was sure she was okay.

“The couch is plenty big enough for both of us.” Shiv pulled aside the blankets. “And aren’t you meant to get up close and use body heat to warm someone with hypothermia?”

Shiv’s grin held a touch of mischief and Con felt her already hot cheeks notch up another few degrees.

“If there’s not enough warmth available, yes. I’m pretty sure you’re not wanting for heat at the moment.”

“Okay.” Shiv pulled up the covers to her chin with a sigh.

“Okay, I’ll do you a deal. Drink some tea and another mug of that soup, and I’ll get in there with you. But don’t complain if I self-combust.” The truth was, she wanted more than anything to get under the blankets—hot flashes or not— with Shiv and hold her close. To warm her with her own body heat.

She set the kettle to boil for tea. The more she could bustle about and do practical things, the longer she’d put off the immediate heaven and eventual hell of being up close with Shiv.

TWENTY-TWO

“You tookmy blood pressure fifteen minutes ago,” Shiv growled.

Her irritation was probably a sign of her recovery, but poor Con didn’t deserve to bear the brunt of it. And it stemmed from wanting Con, in her cute little baby blue PJs, to get in next to her, in her makeshift bed. She’d been fussing around her for too long, and Shiv was tired and sore, and really just needed a hug. Not that she would ever say that out loud.

“Okay.” Con folded the cuff back into its case and dropped it into her bag. She picked up the shovel and piled more turf onto the fire. Shiv watched the curve of her ass as she bent down in pants a few sizes too small.

“Con, you’ll die. I’m okay. Please just come here.” That was the closest she would get to begging.

Con blinked, then wiped her hands and settled on the edge of the couch. She picked up her coffee mug and held it between them. Was she uncomfortable?

Shiv held up the blankets, shivering as the cocoon of heat dispersed. Con put down her mug and scooted up close, enveloping them both in the throws. “You need to stay as warm as you can.”

“It’s warmer already with you in here.”

Con snickered and tipped her head back, as if to move her face from the direct heat. “I’m not surprised. I feel as though I could reignite a dead sun.”

“I’m sorry. Is it really uncomfortable?” She didn’t want to cause Con distress with her neediness.

Con’s eyes shone. “It’s worth it to… help you.” She readjusted her position, until her back was against the arm of the couch. “Scoot up here and maybe we can help each other out.”

Shiv shuffled eagerly across the couch, bringing the blankets with her. She settled between Con’s knees, and her warm chest immediately soothed Shiv’s back.

Con pulled her closer. “You really are quite cool.” She placed the back of her hand on Shiv’s forehead again.

“Apart from the chill, I feel a lot better. My headache’s not so bad.”

Con’s warm hand slid up her bare back, causing a shudder of sensations she was unprepared for.

“Sorry, but it’s your core temperature we need to raise.”

Shiv wanted to confirm her core was definitely many degrees warmer and would continue to rise as long as Con continued running her fingers along her spine. She tried to relax, worried Con would misread the tension in her body.

Con pulled her back against her. “Sorry, I’ll stop fussing. Your vitals are fine, and I’m sure you’ll be much better in the morning.”

Shiv’s gaze moved to the clock on the mantel. “It’s only eight-thirty. What are we going to do till bedtime?”

Con’s chest rumbled with a low laugh. “You might need an early night.” A pause. “Why don’t you tell me about your mum?”

“What about her?”Why can’t I hold conversations like normal people?

“You said she was thrown out by your granddad. How did that work out for you?”

---