wondered if any remained. She affected him in ways he didn’t seem to have the strength to control.
He promised that he’d try to be a better man for her. First though, he needed to keep her alive. Rage built inside him at the males who threatened his female.
59
Chapter Six
“Hey, time to get up, sweet thing.”
It was still dark when Trisha woke and Slade’s body wasn’t pressed against her side anymore. A hand took hers and he started to pull her to her feet. She groaned softly and stood, still groggy. She wasn’t sure how much sleep she’d gotten but it wasn’t nearly enough.
“Walk about ten feet that way and do your thing.” He released her hand and turned her.
“My thing?”
“Morning piss,” he explained. “Hurry up. I already used the boy’s tree.”
“I can’t see a thing.”
“Then it’s a good thing I am pointing you in a direction where you won’t walk into something. Wake up, Doc. It’s an hour or so before dawn. We need to put more distance between us and them. I already climbed a tree on higher ground and saw they let their fire go out but I can still smell the smoke. They are out there. When it’s light they will have an easier time finding us. That’s why we need to get a move on.”
“’Kay,” she sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s anything to eat?”
“Sorry.”
She nodded and took a step away from Slade when he released her. She walked about twelve feet before she stopped and dropped her pants. She had to pee but it took her a minute to relax enough to squat. She wasn’t awake at all. She’d kill for an iced coffee and even a piece of plain bread. Her stomach rumbled when she thought about food. She hadn’t had anything since breakfast the morning before.
She fastened her slacks and walked back toward Slade. She heard a chuckle somewhere to her right before hands gripped her.
“This way. You’re going in the wrong direction. You aren’t a morning person, are you?”
“No. I’m not.”
“I guess you are one of those women who prefer to stay in bed and hit the snooze button on the alarm over and over again until the last minute.”
“What’s wrong with that? I’ve gotten lax since I left hospital rotations to work at Homeland. I get way more sleep and I can’t say I’m sorry about it.”
He laughed. “No snooze alarm this morning.”
“Yeah. Just some running for our lives.”
60
“That’s a good sum-up.” He took a deep breath. “Do you think you can walk for a while?”
“I’m feeling better. Sore but better.”
“Are you sore from the accident or from me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Trisha smiled. “You’re impressive but I can still walk just fine.”
“Ready to go, sweet thing?”
“Sure, lollypop.” She grinned, turning her head so he couldn’t see.
“Lollypop?” He almost sounded insulted.
“Because I want to lick you,” she replied sweetly.
He growled and gripped her arm. “You’re only saying that because you know we have to leave.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Let’s go.”
“Lead the way.”
Trisha couldn’t see a thing. Slade kept a good hold on her arm, warning her when to step over something in their path. She stumbled a few times. Slade paused after the fourth time she nearly fell.
“I’m going to carry you until the dawn. We’re moving way too slow.”
“I’m sorry.” She meant it. He could travel much faster if she wasn’t with him, knowing full well she posed a danger to his survival.
“Don’t worry about it. I know you have your limitations since you’re only human.”
Amusement laced his voice.
