Page 42 of Grounded By Love
He wasn’t about to tell her about his plan of how to keep her safe, since he needed to make sure her reactions appeared genuine for his men. He didn't know whether or not she was a good actor, and he didn't want to risk it.
Although he hadn't been trying to make advances, he had enjoyed the feel of her breast. It surprised him how sincere his deceleration had been to his fellow rock giants. She was his, and no one was to touch her.
As he stripped down for the night, he watched Claira out of the corner of his eye. She was still standing with her arms folded in front of her chest, looking frustrated that he wasn't going to answer her questions.
He knew she wouldn't be delighted with him, but it was for her benefit.
As he took off his pants, Claira faced away. He was amazed how shy she was about seeing him naked, when he knew she stripped him when she’d taken care of his wound.
Kaeldar slipped underneath the covers, not wanting to make her too uncomfortable with him, even if it was amusing.
“Come and get some rest, Claira.” Kaeldar called out to her.
When she turned back with her face framed by her loose golden strands of hair, his breath caught in his chest. Even when those sea green eyes shot daggers at him, he found her breathtaking.
“I don't think so.”
“Don’t make me get up from here, Claira.” Kaeldar threatened, as he lifted the covers and pretended to get up. “We can always finish what we started earlier by the fire.”
Claira's eyes widen. “Fine, I’m coming, but don’t you dare touch me.” She moved quickly, getting to the furs in record time.
He settled back down, as Claira made her way under the furs.
Kaeldar hated to be the bad guy, but if it would protect her, he would do it. He held his hands up. “I won't touch you.”
Claira eyed him, but settled down beside him.
Claira watched him wearily, as she slipped under the covers. She wanted to trust him, but she wasn't sure about him anymore. His behavior by the campfire appalled her. He’d now killed Robert and grabbed her inappropriately.
Though she was cross with what he’d done to her, she couldn’t deny the thrill that had flowed through her. He may be unpredictable, but he was definitely a man made of dreams.
The thrill was part of why she was so annoyed with him. The fact he had done it in front of all the other rock giants had embarrassed her to the core, yet she had also enjoyed it.
If he’d attempted something like that while they had been alone, she may have allowed him to go further. It was the fact he decided to be so brazen in front of his men that was bothering her. Now those men would be thinking she was his plaything. It was mortifying.
Before she fell asleep, she kept debating whether or not she’d want Kaeldar to touch her like that again.
When she rolled over, she found the bed empty, and instead of assuming the tent was vacant, she sat up and looked around to make sure.
Kaeldar was truly gone. She pursed her lips. Of course, he would just leave and not wake her.
It never even crossed her mind he might’ve been letting her sleep in. Instead, she thought he’d just left her, without even caring if she woke to find herself alone. Then again maybe alone was better. There was still some displeasure flowing through her, over what he’d done.
Claira rose from the fur covers and delicately lifted the tent flap with a couple fingers. She didn’t want the rock giants outside to see her spying on them. Seeing no sign of Kaeldar, she let the tent flap fall back into place.
Her eyes traveled around the inside of the tent, until she saw Kaeldar had left a few things behind.
She gave a quick glance over at the tent flap, and then hurried over to the things on the ground. She sifted through them, until she discovered a small dagger.
A few thoughts flitted through her mind. After the way Kaeldar had acted towards her, she was tempted to take the dagger for protection. Yet she was uncertain if she would even use it if presented an opportunity. She was a healer, not a killer, and she wouldn't know how to properly handle the dagger.
She warred with herself over whether or not she should take the dagger and arm herself. In the heat of the moment, she might use a dagger to defend herself. She just wouldn’t know until the moment arose, but she’d rather have the choice.
Bending down she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the dagger. It was small, but it would be large enough to do some damage.
Frantically, she rushed to hide it within her clothing, making sure its outline didn’t show against her clothing. Once it was hidden to her satisfaction, she made her way back over to the tent flap to take another look for Kaeldar.
Before she was even able to make it a few feet, Kaeldar came striding back into the tent, and she came up short.
