Amber Eyes (Amber Eyes #1)(7)

“Why would you care?”

He cocked his head to the side. “Such strange questions. Now I’d like to ask a few, but first I think you should get dressed.”

She glanced down, more aware than ever of the fact she was completely nude, sprawled on the floor. Never before had she been uncomfortable with her nakedness, but now a hot flush stole over her skin, and she was mortified.

Her arms folded over her middle, covering as much flesh as she could. Then she hunched forward so that her legs gave her additional protection.

Without a word, Hunter walked by and dropped a shirt on the floor beside her. Then he headed toward the kitchen. “I’m going to put dinner on. Let me know if she’ll be staying to eat,”he said in Jericho’s direction.

She reached gratefully for the shirt and pulled it on, clutching at the lapels to hold them closed. The warm, masculine scent floated upward and surrounded her. Such a wonderful smell. She hugged the shirt tighter as if she could absorb the very essence of the rugged male who’d worn it.

“Now, would you like something to eat? We can offer you something better than the cold stew and cornbread you were scarfing last night.”

Embarrassment heated her cheeks at his dry reminder. And even though she’d sell her soul for a hot, cooked meal, she shook her head.

“I need to go,”she said in barely above a whisper.

Jericho stood and gathered his own clothing, but she saw that he kept a careful eye on her.

“Go? Where the hell are you going? Back to your cave? What in the world are you doing out on a mountain in the dead of winter running around bare-assed naked?”

Then as if the thought had just occurred to him, he stilled and his expression softened, his eyes gentling.

“Did you leave a hospital or something? Are there people looking for you, and should you be on medication?”

She stared at him in confusion. “I don’t go to hospitals, and I don’t take medication.”

Doubt shadowed his face. “Maybe you don’t think you should, but there are people who could help you.”

Realization was slow in coming, but when it hit her, her mouth gaped open. Maybe she hadn’t had much to do with the human race over the years, but she wasn’t an idiot.

“Are you calling me crazy?”

His lips twisted sardonically. “Crazy? Naahh. It’s perfectly sane to run around in the snow naked and to break into people’s cabins and steal their clothes and eat their food.”

“I’d say that’s desperate, not crazy,”she said quietly.

Now fully dressed, he returned to her and bent down on one knee. He didn’t make any move to touch her, and for that she was grateful. She didn’t trust herself. It had been too long since she’d had contact with another human, and she craved something as simple as touch. Skin to skin. Fingers through her hair.

A long-distant memory bubbled painfully to surface. A smiling woman brushing Kaya’s hair while another girl with golden hair played close by.

Cheetah.

The word came unbidden from the dark cloisters of her mind. She felt a kinship with this girl. The cheetah running with the wind and the cougar trying to keep pace only to be left behind.

Left behind.

The deadness spread from her chest into her stomach. She’d been left by the humans. Her humans.

“What are you thinking?”

Jericho’s softly echoed question filtered through the hazy memories. Her nose drew up and stung with unshed emotion. No, she wouldn’t break. She must be strong and resilient, a worthy companion to the guardian animal spirit who shared her soul.

She drew in a steadying breath, stuck out her chin and eyed him with determination. “I’d like something to eat, and I would appreciate some pants if you have any to spare. But then I must go.”

It took all her courage to face this man and lay out her demands as if she had a right to do so. She prayed to the Maker that he couldn’t see how hard she was trembling.

Surprisingly, he held out a hand to her. She eyed it suspiciously, but he was patient, holding it there as he waited. Finally she took it, allowing her palm to slide over his.

He stood and then pulled her up in front of him, but he didn’t let go of her hand. “First let’s get you some pants. I have some thermal underwear but those would look goofy.”

She shrugged. “As long as they’re dry and warm.”

One eyebrow lifted as he regarded her with open curiosity. “I think I have some sweats that you can tighten enough to keep around your waist. If not, I don’t know if we have anything that’ll work. We don’t exactly keep women’s clothing around here.”

Again she made a motion of indifference.

He pulled on her hand, and she stumbled forward in surprise.

“I don’t trust that you won’t be out of here like a shot if I leave you to get the sweats.”

“I won’t leave until I’ve eaten and gotten the warm clothes,”she said solemnly.

He laughed, and the shock of the deep, husked timbre of such a delightful sound rolled down her spine, making every nerve ending stand up and pay attention.

“You’re an honest little thing,”he said with a shake of his head.

“I’m cold and hungry. It would do me no good to lie.”

They came to a stop inside a small bedroom, and she gazed around, inhaling his unmistakable scent. It was imprinted on every object. She stared longingly at the bed, at the softness of the mattress. The covers were gone, on the floor of the living room if she wasn’t mistaken.