Secluded with the Rogue

Chapter 8

Eight

T hey stayed in the pool until their skin was waterlogged and wrinkled, locked in each other’s embrace. Unwilling to ruin the magic of the moment with promises or recriminations, Bethany rested her head against Zach’s shoulder, her earlier fears receding in the wake of his tender lovemaking.

He might not be willing to say the words, perhaps he hadn’t even admitted it to himself, but she knew he loved her. He’d shown it in his every word and action. She realized now he’d been telling the truth when he’d said he’d rejected her plan because he didn’t want to see her risk her freedom for the sake of his.

But how could she make him see she was more than willing to take the risk? After the passion and tenderness she’d found in his arms, consigning her to a life without it would be worse than any prison sentence. In fact, the mere thought of going without this—without him —for the rest of her life was more tragedy than she thought she could bear.

How could she live, knowing he was out there somewhere, either jailed or on the run, worrying about his safety and missing him with every passing second?

The answer was simple—she couldn’t. Somehow, she had to make him agree to her plan.

With a sigh, he lifted her off his lap, waiting until she found her footing before he released her. Then he pulled himself out of the water. “I’ve got to get out before I turn into a prune.”

She glided to the pool's edge and handed him one of the towels she’d retrieved from her trunk. “What luxury. Steaming hot baths and feather pillows. I think I’d be happy to stay here forever.”

Zach frowned and wrapped the towel around his lean waist. “We’ll run out of food and wood in a few days. I doubt you’ll be quite so comfortable here then.”

Men, she thought with a disgruntled sigh. They were always so literal. Couldn’t he just let himself pretend for a while?

She lifted herself from the pool and toweled herself dry, then slipped into the warm flannel nightgown and thick socks she’d found in her trunk. She passed another pair of socks to Zach and then started making a bed near the fire. It was warm enough in this cave that she used most of the blankets as padding beneath them, figuring the two heavy quilts from her trunk would cover them.

“I’m going to sleep,” she informed Zach, still a little miffed with him. She slid beneath the blankets and rested her head upon one of the soft feather pillows, warm and comfortable for the first time since the wreck.

Zach dropped the towel and slid into bed beside her, wearing nothing but his socks. “I made you mad again, didn’t I?” He nuzzled her neck with his lips, pulling her into the warmth of his embrace. “I’m sorry, darlin’. I guess I’ve just forgotten how to talk to people. Spending five years in a room by yourself tends to make a man a poor conversationalist.”

The thought of all he’d been through halted her irritation, and she snuggled against him, feeling stupid and petty. “It’s all right. I’m sorry I keep trying to force you to make our association more permanent.”

He hugged her tightly. “I’m honored you care enough about me to consider a future together. I really am. I just don’t think you’ve thought it all through. Even if we succeeded in making the law believe I died in the wreck, how would we live? I’ve got nothing, Bethany. I know you’re used to a hell of a lot more than I could ever give you.”

She pulled back a little, staring at him through the flickering light. “Oh, Zach. Is that all that’s bothering you?” She laughed a bit self-consciously. “Money is the least of my worries. I’m rich. David left me more money than I could ever spend. We could go anywhere, do anything we wanted.”

“You’re rich?” He shook his head, a strange smile lingering on his lips. “I don’t believe it. Whenever I come up with an obstacle, you find a way to shove it from our path.”

“Why are you trying so hard to find obstacles?” she asked. “Why can’t you just accept what I’m trying to offer you and never look back?”

“Because I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve a woman like you or your husband’s money or a second chance at life. Don’t you understand? I once had everything I could want, and I lost it. I let it slip right through my hands.”

“It didn’t slip away,” she reminded him. “It was stolen from you in the most vicious, violent way imaginable. You’ve been dealt far too many bad hands, Zach. I think it’s past time for your luck to change.”

“Maybe,” he whispered, gathering her close. “Maybe you’re right.”

Z ach headed for the cave with a spring in his step despite the deep snow, which made walking difficult. The clouds had cleared, the sun was shining, and he was certain the two gifts he carried would make Bethany’s eyes light up with delight.

He figured nine days had passed since the accident. Which, unless he was mistaken, made today Christmas Eve. Bethany hadn’t said a word about it; he wasn’t even sure she’d been keeping track. But he wanted to do something to make tonight special for her.

“Hey, darlin’, I’m home,” he called as he entered the passageway. “And I’ve brought presents.”

Home . It had been a slip of the tongue, but he didn’t regret it. The cave did feel like home. He imagined any place on earth would feel that way to him now, as long as Bethany was there.

“Zach! Are you all right? I heard a gunshot, and I was so worried…” Bethany’s voice trailed off as he entered the first cavern, dragging the small pine tree he’d cut down in one hand and the pheasant he’d shot in the other.

“Merry Christmas, Bethany.”

She clapped her hands together, smiling in delight. “A Christmas tree? How beautiful! And you’ve been hunting!”

Her obvious happiness made the hours spent trudging through the snow worthwhile. God, he’d do anything to keep her smiling. “I thought maybe you could find something in your trunk to decorate the tree with, and our food supplies are getting pretty low, so I figured we deserved something special for Christmas Eve.”

“Thank you.” She rushed forward and enveloped him in a crushing hug. “I didn’t even realize it was Christmas.”

“You’re welcome.” He bent to give her a sweet, lingering kiss. When he pulled away, he smiled. “I can’t believe I get to share the day with my own personal angel.”

She blushed and hit him playfully on the shoulder. “I’m not an angel. Didn’t I prove that to you last night?”

He laughed, thinking of the wild lovemaking they’d shared. “You proved you are an angel because I’m quite certain I died and went to heaven.”

Grinning, she took the tree out of his hands and dragged it toward the second chamber. “You’ll have to show me how to cook that bird. I’m afraid I’ve never prepared one.”

“I’ll do it,” he told her. “You just decorate the tree.”

The next hour passed quickly as Bethany decorated the tree, using small bits of ribbon and lace, and he roasted the bird over the fire. She hummed Christmas carols beneath her breath as she worked, and a bone-deep contentment seeped into him as he watched her.

She said she’d be happy living here forever, and he could almost believe her. Lord knew he could. To him, this cave was paradise with its bubbling hot spring and the few luxuries from Bethany’s trunk. He’d lived five years with much less.

At last, she stepped back, surveying her work with unmistakable pride. “There. I think it looks beautiful. Don’t you?”

The crooked little tree leaned against the cave wall, bits of ribbon and lace hanging over its drooping branches. He smiled and met her hopeful gaze with complete honesty. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, crossing the cave to his side. “Thank you for bringing it. It means more to me than you can ever imagine.”

“I’m glad you like it. I wish I could offer you more. I’d drape you in diamonds and pearls if I could.”

“I’d rather have your kisses than all the diamonds in the world.” Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his, showing him without words exactly what she meant.

After a long while, he drew back, knowing if he didn’t put a stop to the kiss, they’d end up burning the bird. “I made you a present. Would you like it tonight, or would you like to wait until morning?”

“Oh, Zach.” She bent forward and gave him another swift kiss. “Tonight, please. I’ve never been good at waiting until Christmas morning.”

Reaching into his pocket, he drew out his gift, which he’d haphazardly wrapped in a small scrap of red cloth, which had once been a handkerchief. He’d spent the last few nights whittling it for her after she’d fallen asleep, feeling the need to give her something tangible to remember him by.

With a look of awe, she unwrapped the tiny wooden angel. An unfamiliar sense of pride shimmered through him as tears welled in her wide, green eyes. He’d always been good at making things with his hands, and this was one of his best.

“It’s wonderful,” she whispered. “So much detail... When did you ever find the time?”

“I made it while you slept. I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it.” She threw herself into his arms with another of those shows of exuberant affection he loved so much. “It’s the best present anyone has ever given me.”

He hugged her, pressing his lips against the fragrant softness of her hair. “Being here with you for Christmas is the best present I’ve ever gotten, so I guess we’re even.”

She pulled away, cupping his chin in her hand, and gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Zach. I love you more than I ever thought possible.”

His heart stalled for an instant before he started to give her the response he knew she wanted to hear, but she pressed her fingertips against his lips, shaking her head. “No,” she whispered. “Don’t say it until you mean it. My love is my present to you. I don’t expect you to return it. No matter where you go or what happens to you, I’ll always be thinking about you.”

Her sweet words made him want to profess his own love, but he didn’t think she’d believe him now. So, he simply nodded and brushed his lips against her fingertips. “I’ll always remember you, too. No matter what happens.”