Broken (The Captive #5.5)(51)

"I've always taken care of myself and Camille."

"But you don't have to do that anymore. It might be difficult but we will find a way to make this work. I'll talk to my father; tell him that I can't marry Anna. We can figure this out but I can't go on without you in my life. These last few weeks…" His voice trailed off as he shook his head and kissed her hand again. "I love you Genny."

The burning intensity of his words and the hopeful look in his eyes was nearly her undoing as her fingers ran over his lips. "That will cause problems for you with your family."

"I don't care; you're the only one I want to be with."

"Atticus…"

Before she could say anything, he bent his head and kissed her tenderly. Her mouth parted to his as peace and comfort slid through her and warmed her body. These last few weeks had nearly destroyed her but lying here now, with him, the memory of her misery faded away. Her fingers slid through his thick hair, she tugged at it as she tried to pull him closer but no matter how close he was, she was beginning to feel as if they could never be close enough.

His hands slid over her face, his tongue stroked in and out of her mouth in powerful thrusts that left her a quivering mass of raw and aching nerve endings. Excitement built in her as the enticing weight of his powerful body pressed her gently into the pallet and his thigh slid between her legs. Her body reacted of its own accord, instinctively seeking out the heat, comfort, and desire he stoked within her.

He pulled away abruptly and dropped his forehead to hers. Disappointment crashed through her as her hands curled into his back and a small mewl of protest escaped her. "We have to stop before I won't," he whispered against her lips. "You're injured."

There were so many reasons they should stop but her bruised body wasn't one of them. Right now she couldn't quite recall the other reasons either, not when she finally had him back in her arms. "I feel better; your blood helped me to heal faster."

"I'm sure it did." He pulled away from her and sat up on the pallet. "But I'm still not going to take the chance of causing you more discomfort."

His eyes slid over her body and as she followed his gaze, she realized she was only wearing a simple, flimsy chemise. He'd seen her in such before but somehow it seemed far more intimate when he was sitting in her room with her. A room that felt far smaller now that his large frame was within it. His mouth quirked in amusement as a blush began to burn her face.

"I didn't think it was possible to see you blush," he murmured.

Her lashes lowered as she shook her head. "I've never had a man in my room before."

His hands slid over her waist as he lifted her up and maneuvered her so that she was sitting in his lap. Though she tried not to, she couldn't help but wince as the movement jarred her still healing ribs. "See you are still wounded."

"Maybe a little," she reluctantly admitted.

The calloused palms of his hands began to work over her as he massaged her flesh. "You are healing well though, should be completely fine by tomorrow."

"I hope so."

He kissed her cheek and embraced her against his chest. "Why was there so much coin strewn around the room?" he inquired.

She ran her fingers over the bristly hairs on his arms and rested her cheek against his. The feel of his stubble against her skin was actually pleasant as it reminded her that he was really here. "Felix uncovered one of the stashes I had hidden in the woods."

"One of?"

She nodded as her fingers began to slide over the linen material covering his broad chest. "There were ten separate places."

"What were you saving all of that money for?"

"So that when Camille reached maturity we could get away," she whispered. "So that we could escape this place and never look back."

His lips rested against the top of her head as he rocked her against him. "You're free now."

She swallowed heavily and closed her eyes. "Yes, I suppose I am."

He adjusted his hold on her, took hold of her chin and tilted her face up to his. "I've asked Merle to look into finding a house for you and Camille to stay in."

Longing burst through her as brightly as the sun rising over the horizon but as badly as she wanted it, she knew this couldn't happen. "Marie has spent her entire life living off of men and dragging us along with her. I swore I would never be like her."

His gaze burned into hers. She was certain it was a look that had caused many to capitulate to his wishes, but she wouldn't be one of them. In society's eyes she wasn't anywhere close to being on equal footing with him, but she knew that in his eyes, she was. There were few that would turn him away or tell him no, but she was one of the few that could and would.

"You're not living off of me Genny. After I talk with my father and get everything straightened out, you will be my wife and I am going to make sure that you are protected and taken care of."

"Your father will be infuriated."

"And he will get over it. I'm not willing to lose you from my life again."

She lifted her head to look up at him. His jaw clenched as he stared down at her, silently pleading with her not to rebuke him again, but she couldn't do that. "If you're unable to get out of this betrothal…"