Tempest's Embrace

Chapter 13

After a tormenting 4 days of delirium and battling the never-ending demons that taunted her dreams, Tempest, finally fought against the agony of her fever.

The morning had found her cool to the touch but in another predicament. Still, in a slight haze and weak, she opened her eyes and took in the brightness coming in from the cabin's porthole.

Tossed on her back and too achy to fully move, she shifted slightly only to find there was a warm hand laying on her abdomen. Slowly she became fully aware of her surroundings. Her confusion dissipated with the sensation of a warm leg snug and entwined with hers.

She turned to look beside her and her breath hitched in her throat.

She stared at Justin's sleeping face; taking in every detail of his stunning features. She frowned then, as she realized he was asleep beside her... bare.

She was bare.

Frantically, she searched in her mind wondering what had happened. Why were they like this in bed? Her mind hitched only on fog. She could not remember much.

What did they do?

With a gasp, she pulled away with a whimper following from her stiff joints as she scrambled towards the edge of the bed only to stand on shaky legs. Trying to fight the wave of weakness, she stepped forward lacking the strength to continue.

A mixture of nausea, the ship's sway, and dizziness, had her nearly sinking to the floor but with fluid swiftness a strong arm wrapped around her waist and suddenly she was cradled in Justin's arms then brought around and placed back in bed.

Shakily her fingers tightened on the sheets and she pulled it up to her chin as he stood up and looked down at her. Then his features softened. As if he was relieved. Then his expression turned serious.

"I see the fever has broken," he said looking her over.

Confused she frowned.

She winced in pain as she spoke, "Fever?" her voice cracked.

Slowly she raised her fingers to her throat.

"You were out of it for nearly 3 days," he informed her as he stood and then reached for his breeches. In plain view, he slid them on as her eyes skimmed over him, and quickly she looked away.

He found her flushed look appealing but gave no outward sign of it. With a stoic and straight face, he looked at her once more.

They stared at one another for some time. She observed him then her eyes lowered from his, slowly down his muscled chest then she swallowed nervously.
"You took care of me?" it was more a sentence of disbelief than a question.

He nodded curtly " I did." Before pulling his shirt over his head and covering himself.

He turned away then and reached for the familiar bundle of clothing he once before presented to her that she refused to change into.

She lowered her gaze as he lifted the shirt from the pile with an expectant gaze and stared at her fingers that tightened on the sheets.

"You burned with fever for nearly 4 days. Is there a need to remind you why?" he stated ready for her protests.

She shook her head. He lifted it waiting for her to produce her hand to place it in the sleeve. When she did not move, he leaned forward and lifted her chin, and held her gaze.

"I am not a blind man, Tempest," he murmured. 

Riveted to the spot, she listened, "I have seen all that was meant to be seen in light of the situation. It is pointless to be modest, Don't you think?"