Hammer

16

Charlie settled next to Hammer just as the rain started falling. Luckily only a few drops of water got into the tent.

She warmed quickly from Hammer’s body heat, as well as the jacket he had given her. And she quickly drifted off to sleep. Charlie woke with a jolt minutes later. She couldn’t tell time any longer. She had left all her devices behind.

And the sky was too dark to tell the time from the sun. But it was probably almost twilight now. She peered down at Hammer. His breathing had slowed, and his face wasn’t flushed any longer.

Then she peeled back the bandage and checked the wound. There was no pus, thankfully. She felt a scab forming when she touched it lightly with her fingertip.

The relief she felt compounded with her exhaustion and hunger. Taking one of the bananas and a granola bar, she ate while listening to the rain.

When her eyes fluttered open, she wasn’t quite sure when she had fallen asleep. She realized she had been asleep only inches from Hammer’s body. She smelled the scent of his skin. She could almost taste him.

Her cheeks burned, and she hurried to get away from him. Hearing movement behind her, she turned to see Hammer had rolled over. He was finally awake. And very unhappy if the grimace on his face was anything to go by.

“Where the hell are we?” he muttered, running a hand over his face. He winced as he lifted his arm, and Charlie rolled her eyes.

“You passed out,” she replied. Then she sat across from him, cross-legged, before continuing. “We’re still in the clearing. I made a tent with your blankets.”

He was looking around him, his eyes narrowed, as Charlie continued. She could not help feeling a sense of pride as she considered her work.

“You developed an infection from the wound in your arm. I treated it with whatever I could find. Your fever has gone down, and the wound is scabbing over.”

With a lot of effort, Hammer sat up, rubbing his eyes. Then, turning to find his things, he grumbled, “We need to leave. Now.” His voice was thick and tired. But it still retained the old sternness that Charlie had become used to.

“No.” Her voice was equally stern when she spoke. “You’ll lay the f**k down and go back to sleep if you know what’s good for you.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” he snapped back. “I’m the only one of us who can do any good.”

“Really?” She couldn’t help but taunt him, gesturing around them. “Who did all this? Besides, your fever hasn’t disappeared completely. I’ll leave your ass to die if you get sick again.”

The shock on his face was obvious, but after a second, he accepted her order.

Groaning slightly, Hammer lay back down. The reluctance and annoyance on his face were obvious, but Charlie ignored it.

There was a more important thing she wanted to discuss.

“When you are well enough to walk again, where will we go from here?” All she could do was focus on keeping her voice steady.

“We stick to the map,” he grunted. “We’ll be fine.” And with that, he fell asleep again.

Charlie stayed as far from him as the small space allowed. If she was being honest with herself, she enjoyed waking up next to him.

But that line of thinking was a bad idea. She’d just stay awake and listen to him breathe.

The tapping of the rain on the blankets and Hammer’s breathing seemed loud enough to drown out every other sound. His breathing was better than a lullaby, and Charlie forced herself to stay awake. She peeked out of the tent, spotting the bright moon high in the sky. It had to be close to midnight. Well, it looked like she was staying awake all night.

When she checked Hammer’s bandage next, he woke up. He pulled away from her and examined it himself. She rolled her eyes but scooted her body away from his again. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, and she wrapped her arms around them. She had been cold for a while, and her body trembled slightly with a chill.

“Are you cold?” Hammer had spotted the weakness in her body.

She shook her head. “Nope. I’m fine.”

“Why were you working with Ajmal anyway?” Hammer asked suddenly. She didn’t miss the accusatory tone in his voice.

“I’m an anthropologist. This expedition was supposed to heighten my career.” She shrugged.

“It seems you’re passionate about the work,” he said.

A small smile crossed Charlie’s face. “This work is the only thing that makes me feel alive.”

He laughed gruffly. “I know how that feels. You’re lucky to have found something like that.”

“I am lucky,” Charlie said, turning her face away from his.

HAMMER

Why the hell had she stayed?

Hammer thought, almost disgusted.

He watched from where he lay as Charlie walked into the clearing. She was picking more of her herbs. Hammer wasn’t sure if the herbs were actually doing anything.

But he couldn’t deny that he felt better.

But why the hell had she stayed? He was feeling a combination of irritation and admiration. His mate was a stubborn one, it seemed.

Instead of leaving him and going to get help, she had stayed to look after him. She had probably saved his life. But here she was, freezing cold and hungry. She was uncomfortable, no matter how vehemently she denied it.

Hammer also knew she hadn’t stayed because she cared about him. Maybe she thought it was in her best interests. Maybe she thought she’d have a better chance once he was healed.

Hell, maybe it was the mating bond subconsciously forcing her to stay. Whatever it was, Hammer was grateful that he was alive.

All he wanted was to live long enough to kill Ajmal.