I guzzle it down, not even caring that some of it drips from the sides of my lips and goes down my chin. When I hand it back to him, I say, “Thanks for pushing me, Judd.”
“Anytime. Now, don’t forget to get some snow and use it to ice your feet and legs. Because tomorrow, we’ll be doing more beam work.”
I groan, rubbing my spasming calf. “I hate icing them.”
“But it helps.”
“It does,” I relent. Not only does Hojat help to ice my sore muscles, but he’s also been placing snow packs on my back. As much as I hate it while it’s on, it really has helped a lot.
“Ready to go?”
I nod, and when I take Judd’s hand for him to help haul me to my feet, I don’t even flinch. Already, I’m getting more used to touch. It’s strange how much has changed in such a short amount of time.
Together, we leave the cracked entrance of the Teeth, spilling out into the main cave of the Grotto. As soon as we do, I see a figure striding for us, and even though my eyes don’t adjust right away, my body knows exactly who it is.
When Slade’s close enough that I can see the shadowed lines of his face, his intent attention spills my heartbeat into a scattered runoff.
“You’re limping,” he says by way of greeting, stopping in front of us.
“I’m okay, my feet are just sore.”
“I told her to ice them,” Judd tells him. “But she did good today. Her balance has already improved. She’s ready to move on as soon as her back is a bit more healed up.”
Slade nods, and I can see approval cast over his expression. “I’d like to take you somewhere, if you’re willing.”
My brows lift in surprise, and my pulse picks up in pace. It seems like he’s been avoiding me. We share dinner together with the others, but he always goes off to do things while I fall asleep on my own, and then I wake up the same. The only indication that he’s actually stayed in there with me is that the fire is always tended to, the pillow on his side always indented. I can’t really blame him though. I’m the one sleeping away the day.
“It will be something relaxing, I promise,” he tells me, obviously picking up on my hesitation.
“Okay,” I say with a nod, though I feel guilty for making it seem like he has to convince me. He’s still feeling really guilty about the whole rot thing. “I’d like that.”
Relief flashes through his eyes just before Judd claps us both on the shoulders. “You two have relaxing fun. I’m off to go make Lu play cards with me. She got all my money again last night.” He turns and walks off, his silhouette disappearing in the direction of the house.
I look up at Slade, very aware that we’re alone. We haven’t been alone, not really. Not since I woke up in that cave and practically jumped him.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
Then he turns and kneels down in front of me. “Hop on.”
I blink. “What?”
“I saw your grimace every time you took a step. I want to carry you, but I don’t want to hurt your back. So hop on.”
My feet shift in place, but even that sends a shock of pain down my arches. “Are you sure?”
He glances at me over his shoulder. “Am I sure that I want your body pressed against mine while I carry you so that you’re not in pain? Yes.”
I can’t help but feel a little thrill at the way he looks at me.
“Alright,” I say quietly.
Tentatively, I wrap my arms around his neck, and he instantly lifts me up, my legs going around his hips. It immediately makes me think of the other time my legs wrapped around him, only I was latched onto his front, grinding against him and desperate to be mindless, to not have to think, to be punished and pleasured as my world came crashing down around me.
Slade adjusts me on his back as he straightens up, his strong hands coming down to grip my thighs. The thick leggings do absolutely nothing to keep a barrier against his touch, because I can feel it searing into the skin of my legs, making me tingle.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I ask, since my hourglass figure means I’m no twig.
His fingers dig into my thighs, letting a dark chuckle rumble against my chest. “More than okay, and I think I proved that fact the other day, don’t you?”
I don’t need a mirror to know that my cheeks are flaring with a gilded blush.
He starts to walk, heading in the opposite direction as Judd, away from the house. His steps are steady, his touch strong, but I can’t help the nerves that are jumping around in my veins.