by Juniper Hart
It was only then that she realized she’d been dressed in a pair of pajamas, not her own. A hot flush tinged her cheeks as she looked at Nicoy, who seemed to realize her embarrassment at the same time.
“You were bleeding and soaked,” he explained quickly. “I was worried you were in shock—”
“He was a perfect gentleman,” Xander grunted, rolling his eyes. “His concern was your health, not your cute little tush.”
Laurel’s blush deepened but she couldn’t help but laugh at Xander’s exasperation.
“I wasn’t thinking anything weird,” she assured them both. “Thank you for taking such good care of me. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t come along?”
“Those bastard loggers would have had a murder charge on their hands, that’s what,” Nicoy snarled. Laurel eyed him in confusion.
“Loggers?” she echoed. “I thought the forest here was protected.”
Both men paused and Laurel instantly realized her mistake.
“Looks like you remember more than you thought,” Xander chirped, spinning away to head off down the hall. Nicoy smiled wanly and turned to follow his roommate without answering, leaving Laurel to sink back against the cushions, her pulse racing in their wake.
I’m going to blow my own cover already. I’m a terrible Sleeper. I’ve had one day of assimilating and I’m already failing miserably.
She hoped the storm let up soon…but not too soon. She wanted to enjoy Nicoy for a few more hours at least. After all, she would never see him again after this.
Isn’t that what you said about Preston at the compound? she reminded herself, but even then, Laurel knew that the attraction she felt toward Nicoy was not like the one she had felt toward Preston. With her lab partner, it had been a physical attraction, one borne from lust and probably too many hours in close proximity. She was sure that if they hadn’t been thrust together the way they had, Laurel would likely have never given Preston a second look.
With Nicoy, there was something deeper, more kinetic. She was instantly enthralled with him and not just because he was gorgeous and strong. There was a quality about her feelings that she couldn’t easily identify.
Could this be what it feels like to find a mate?
She almost gasped aloud at the inane thought. He was a mortal, for one, despite his bear-like frame, and she was a Sleeper. There was no room for Nicoy in her life, even if he was her mate. She reasoned that she felt grateful to him for saving her, but a little voice taunted her in the back of her mind.
You don’t feel any attraction to Xander at all.
She silenced her inner monologue and closed her eyes, willing her mind to go blank. There was clearly no future with Nicoy. But that didn’t mean that Laurel wasn’t going to latch onto the feeling of headiness she had near him, fleeting as it might be.
9
As they retreated into the kitchen, Nicoy could feel Xander’s eyes on him and the bigger man tensed, sensing what was coming.
“She’s lovely, isn’t she?” Xander purred in a tone that Nicoy knew too well. He gritted his teeth and cast Xander a look over his shoulder as he pulled open the stainless-steel door to the fridge.
“What, Xander?” he demanded.
“Nothing!” The way his friend’s voice rose an octave, Nicoy knew it was certainly something.
“Just spit it out. I’m not going to go through the next few hours of your passive-aggressive bullshit,” Nicoy insisted.
“I just think it’s very convenient that she doesn’t remember who she is or where she’s from, but she seems to know about the logging practices in this country.”
“So what? Amnesia can be selective.”
“Very selective apparently…”
Xander trailed off and Nicoy spun to stare at him with a deadpan expression.
“You think she’s lying?”
“I think it’s a very real possibility,” Xander agreed. “There’s something off about her.”
Defensiveness spiked through Nicoy’s body, shocking him. He had no reason to feel so protective of this strange woman, but he couldn’t help but want to defend her against Xander’s suspicions.
“I thought you just said she was lovely,” he retorted.
“She is. Very pretty and well spoken. I see intelligence in her eyes too,” Xander went on. “Shouldn’t someone be looking for her?”
Nicoy scoffed, folding his arms under his chest.
“In this mess?” he demanded, nodding his chin toward the wailing storm. “We barely made it home alive and we knew where we were going.”
“And that’s the other thing,” Xander went on as if he hadn’t spoken. “Her injury…”
Nicoy’s back became a steel rod and he deliberately turned his body away to begin supper. He knew what Xander was going to say. He’d had the same thought himself.
She seems to be healing already. How is that possible?
“It’s not as bad as it was, is it?” Xander pressed, not letting it go.
“I don’t know,” Nicoy snapped. “I’m not a doctor.”
Xander snorted.
“Didn’t stop you from acting like one, did it? Come on, surely you have an opinion on how fast she’s—”
“Would you give it a rest!” Nicoy barked, whirling back toward his roommate. “She just woke up. Why don’t you give her a chance before jumping to conclusions?”
Xander blinked, stunned by Nicoy’s outburst.
“We brought a strange woman into our house, Nic,” he said curtly. “Forgive me for wanting to keep us safe.”
“You’re the one who wanted to stop for her,” Nicoy retorted before he could stop himself. He cringed, knowing the way it sounded.
“Wow, Nic. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Nicoy wasn’t sure he had an answer to that query.
“Nothing. You’re right, I’m sorry,” he replied hastily. “I think my nerves are just frayed.”
At least that’s true, he thought. I was on edge, waiting for her to wake up.
But he couldn’t deny that there was a magnetism between them, one he didn’t begin to understand. He was sure he’d never felt anything so powerful before and questioning Laurel and what she was really doing there only stressed him further. He just wanted to lose himself in the feeling of her closeness without skepticism.
Unfortunately, Xander didn’t seem to want to let it go.
“I’m just saying we should be cautious,” Xander went on. “We don’t know anything about this woman, and I think she’s being secretive.”
“Or she sincerely doesn’t remember,” Nicoy sighed, not wanting to get into an argument with him. “I mean, really, who could she be, Xan?”
He gave Xander a mocking half-smile.
“It’s not like we’re some high targets for assassination or something.”
He was joking but Xander didn’t smile.
“Maybe we’re not but there are undercurrents in these parts. You know that as well as I do.”
“So?” Nicoy grumbled.
“So, I don’t want to get caught up in the politics between the government and the loggers,” Xander cried, rolling his eyes. Nicoy laughed genuinely this time and placed his hands over the countertop, shaking his head.
“You think she’s some high-ranking government spy?” he teased. “A ninja, maybe, who happened to stumble into a bear trap?”
Xander scowled.
“Mock me all you want but you have to admit it’s weird.”
“I don’t have to admit anything,” Nicoy corrected. “But I do wish you’d keep your conspiracy theories to yourself or to your online chatrooms.”
The words made Xander’s eyes brighten, much to Nicoy’s chagrin.
“Online…” he agreed, nodding as he turned away from the kitchen. “Maybe there’s a bulletin about her online.”
Nicoy smothered a groan but he didn’t protest as Xander wandered off to find his laptop presumably for information about Laurel. If the phone lines were down, the int
ernet was surely a lost cause also, but he didn’t bother to remind Xander of that.
Should I care more about where she came from? he wondered as he began to chop up some carrots. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it.
After setting the stove to simmer with the pot of stew, Nicoy made his way back into the living room where he’d left Laurel. To his surprise, she wasn’t on the sofa.
A prickle of apprehension shot through Nicoy as he moved to find her. Beads of sweat formed along his hairline.
Did she leave? Did she hear Xander and me talking about her?
The thought filled him with dread. He would kill Xander if that was the case.
He moved down the hall, poking his head through the doorways. His breath escaped in a whoosh when he found her, standing inside the tiny library. He and Xander had taken great pains to grow the little room over the years, filling it with their favorites. The study was Nicoy’s favorite room in the cabin and he was unsurprised to have found Laurel in there.
“This is beautiful,” she told him gently without turning. “I wouldn’t have imagined a library in a place like this.”
Nicoy chuckled.
“We’re not all philistines out here,” he teased. She jerked her head around, her eyes wide and apologetic.
“That’s not what I meant at all,” she told him quickly. “I just meant that they wouldn’t seem to fit.”
“I know what you meant,” Nicoy assured her, closing the space between them to stare around the high, lined bookshelves. It had been a long time since he’d looked at the room the way Laurel was. “Do you like to read?”
She nodded eagerly.
“Too much,” she laughed, casting him a bashful smile. “I’m a little bit of a nerd.”
“I’ll take being a nerd over an ignoramus any day,” Nicoy replied. He placed a hand softly on her arm and to his relief, she didn’t draw away. Instead, she permitted him to lead her toward the walls.
“This is the classics section,” he explained, pointing out the titles with his free hand, his palm still lightly on her skin. He loved the electricity that coursed between them, a constant flow of power that made him feel alive.
“There are some good old-fashioned horror and thrillers on that end,” he continued. “Xander’s contributions.”
Laurel eyed him through her peripheral vision.
“You two are like the Odd Couple, huh?” she teased. Nicoy smiled.
“We have more in common than most people think,” he offered.
“Such as?”
Nicoy could see that she was genuinely curious about his life and despite all of Xander’s warnings, he couldn’t deny her anything.
“Heartbreak,” he said without hesitation. Laurel blinked, seeming stunned by the confession.
“You came to Iceland because of heartbreak?” she asked dubiously.
“Don’t sound so shocked. Us woodsmen can be soft too,” he joked but the memory of what had happened in Boston was still fresh and hurtful.
And it should always serve as reminder why I shouldn’t get involved with anyone else, he thought, but even as he thought the words, he knew they were laughable in present company.
“It just seems a little extreme, is all. I mean, haven’t we all endured some kind of terrible breakup?”
“Oh,” Nicoy laughed. “It’s not the only reason. I was a financial planner in the States. Grew up chasing the American dream and I did really well for myself. When my wife cheated on me with my brother, it was just the catalyst to what had been building for a long while.”
Laurel gasped.
“That’s awful!” she choked, the indignation in her voice warming him.
She’s just as protective of me as I am of her somehow.
“They probably did me a favor,” Nicoy said, trying to keep his voice light. “It just opened my eyes to how selfish and self-serving the world is. Everyone is out for themselves. There’s no unity, no sense of togetherness anymore.”
He paused to take a deep breath, embarrassed about his mini-diatribe, but to his surprise, Laurel nodded eagerly.
“Yes! The world is far too divided. I understand exactly what you’re saying.”
He eyed her appreciatively and noted the heaviness of her eyelids.
She’s still exhausted.
“Why don’t you grab a book and I’ll set you up in my room to read and relax until dinner’s ready?” he offered. He didn’t miss the pink tinge of her fair cheeks as she looked away.
“I don’t want to displace you,” she murmured.
“We have other bedrooms,” he replied. “But mine has the best bed and you need the comfort to heal.”
“You’re a hard sell,” she giggled. “How can I refuse that?”
“I guess you can’t,” he replied lightly, curling his fingers around her arm again. Laurel’s breath quickened and she paused to stare up at him like she wanted to say something. They locked eyes for a long moment, neither moving until Nicoy forced himself to break the spell between them.
“Come on,” he said quietly. “Let’s get you to bed.”
The words hung between them heavily but oddly, he wasn’t ashamed. Laurel hastily selected a book and they headed back into the hallway. To Nicoy’s relief, Xander was nowhere around. He didn’t want to explain to Xander why he was hiding Laurel away in his room.
Laurel climbed onto the high mattress and Nicoy tucked her in gently, pretending not to notice how she didn’t limp on her affected leg.
“I’m just going to check on the stew and I’ll be right back,” he promised. She nodded sleepily.
“I’ll be here,” she yawned.
He hurried off to the kitchen, giving the stew a quick stir before retreating to his bedroom, but when he arrived, he saw that Laurel had already drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber.
Sleep well, beautiful, he thought, a pang touching his heart as he watched her face before turning out the light and sitting on the chair next to the bed. I’ll be right here when you wake.
10
Laurel hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep until her eyes flickered open and she saw Nicoy sitting in the shadows, the book she’d selected to read in his hand.
“Were you here the whole time?” she asked, abashed to realize it. “How long was I asleep?”
“Long enough for dinner to be ready and yes, I wanted to keep watch over you. I hope you don’t mind.”
The words filled her with warmth and she shook her head.
“I’m fine,” she assured him bravely. “I don’t want to interrupt your day…or is it night?”
She looked out the window to her right, unsure with the storm still raging beyond.
“Time doesn’t seem important right now, does it?” he asked lightly and Laurel admitted he was right.
“The stew is simmering,” he told her. “I put some fresh rolls in the oven. I thought you might like a bath.”
Laurel blinked.
“A bath?” she echoed, the idea making her smile. There was nothing but the cramped stand-up shower in the unit and the notion of a bath was almost more than she could handle. “I would love a bath!”
Nicoy’s smile matched hers and he rose from his spot, ambling toward a closed door she hadn’t noticed until that moment.
“Give me a minute and I’ll get it going for you.”
She sank into the deliciously soft mattress, the beam on her face impregnable.
This is probably all a dream. I’m going to wake up, half-drowned in the woods, she thought cynically. I need to stay asleep.
A few minutes later, Nicoy emerged from the ensuite bathroom and extended his hand for her to take. Laurel sat up and accepted it, dropping her legs over the side of the bed. As it had the last time he’d touched her, a current surged through them and almost stole her breath.
Human or not, he’s got an effect on me I’ll never understand. He’s incredible.
Yet the surprise did not end there and when Nicoy opened the bathroom do
or fully, Laurel gaped in shock at the scene before her.
The smell of rose petals met her nostrils, emanating from the bubble bath filling the tub. All along the soaking tub were flickering candles, illuminating the still pouring water as they entered.
“There’s a towel there for you,” he told her, nodding behind the door. “I’ll see if I can rustle you up another pair of pajamas.”
She stared at him gratefully, her voice suddenly lost.
Is he trying to be romantic or just helpful?
Helpful would have been a bath. The candles and scented oils were something a man would do for his lover.
“Thank you,” she managed to murmur, turning her head away.
“Just take it easy,” he said quietly. “You’ll get your memories back in no time.”
The reminder that she was faking her memory loss took the headiness away and Laurel stifled a sigh as Nicoy retreated, leaving her to disrobe and step into the warm water.
The temperature was perfect and as she sank down into the tub, Laurel thought about how big a fool Nicoy’s wife was.
How could she let a man like this get away?
She quickly reminded herself that her loss was Laurel’s gain.
Stop it! Stop thinking about Nicoy like that. Nothing good can come from this. You can’t even be honest with him.
She closed her eyes, the confusion and emotions threatening to overcome her. She didn’t notice Nicoy until he gently cleared his throat. Laurel’s eyes popped open and she looked at him in surprise.
“Sorry,” he said, holding up a fresh pair of pajamas. “I just wanted to let you know I found these for you.”
The longing in his eyes was unmistakable and she pursed her lips together, willing herself to behave, but she couldn’t, not when he was staring at her like that.
“Do you need anything else?”
She heard the catch in his voice and nodded before she could stop herself.
“Could you wash my back?” she asked. Desire flickered in his eyes and without a word, he reached for a washcloth sitting on the side of the tub before crouching behind her. Slowly, he dipped a hand into the water and drew out the cloth, sweeping it along the lines of her neck.
