Daniel dropped onto the bed, covering himself with the blanket. “Told you they’re small.”
Amelia said nothing. She picked up the remote, grinning, and began her search for something to watch.
“Are you not bothered then?”
She turned, eying his chest. She was bothered, all right. But not the way he thought.
“Not in the slightest,” Amelia lied, wetting her lips.
“Hmph.” Daniel folded tree-trunk thick arms over his chest.
The action brought out his abs. One, two, three, four…six, seven…eight! An eight pack? Was that a thing? Did guys get eight packs?
“Are you…” Daniel cleared his throat “…counting my abs?”
Amelia jerked her head in the direction of the TV. “What? No. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Don’t get caught counting his abs again!
She’d have to be careful next time.
The warm weight pressing on her back had vanished. Amelia sat up, throwing off the covers to feel around in the bed. Where the heck was she? A hotel?
No. A bed and breakfast, that’s right, in Ireland. Then she remembered Daniel – the heavy and warm thing. Flicking on the light, her eyes scanned the room but he wasn’t there. Had he left, without saying goodbye?
His backpack still sat on the desk. Maybe he simply went out for a walk? If she had been incarcerated for fifteen years, Amelia would take advantage of the freedom. She would want to be outside in the fresh, night air, looking out over the sea.
Turning off the light, she took a deep breath and hobbled over to the couch by the open window. A tall, dark figure stood by the edge of the water. She knew it was him, trying to enjoy his liberty. As if he sensed her, Daniel turned and held up his hand, giving a quick wave. Amelia grinned, waving back. It didn’t matter how many times she attempted to imagine what he must have been through, she had trouble conceiving what it was like for him in prison. And the honest to goodness truth, she didn’t want to know.
A few minutes passed and Amelia left the window, climbing back into bed. Soon after, the door opened with a click, and shut with a click. Daniel’s heavy footsteps moved to the foot of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight; Amelia sucked in a deep breath and wondered if she should ask if he wanted to talk.
Talk about what? Where he just came from? What he went through?
The guy didn’t know her. Why would he tell her anything?
“Eh, are you sure you’re okay with me sleeping next to you?” he whispered, leaning his weight on the other end of the mattress.
“It’s fine, Daniel.” She turned and held the covers up. When he hesitated, she sighed, grabbing his arm.
His bare arm. His very bare and very muscular arm.
She looked up. Slivers of moonlight danced over his body, illuminating every chiseled muscle on his abdomen. Eight of them. He definitely had eight of them.
“Get in this bed, or so help me…”
Chuckling, Daniel slid between the sheets. “Bossy lass…”
Amused by the easy-going banter, Amelia stuck out her chin and said, “So what if I am? Doesn’t make a difference. You still need rest. You look exhausted. So, you know, shut up, get in here, relax, and sleep.”
A slow spreading grin stretched across his lips. “Like I said, bossy lass. And yes, I am exhausted.” He released a sigh, dropping down next to her.
His warmth surrounded her, blanketed her. Hard muscles brushed against her hands, searing her fingertips. Blood rushed erratically through her veins. Heart slammed against her ribs. Their gazes locked.
“Eh, Amelia?”
“Yeah?” Her reply was breathless. Needy.
“I…” His hesitation startled her. “Eh, well, thanks. I-is what I wanted to say.”
All nervousness vanished, replaced with a deep and unsettling need to comfort him. Amelia flung her arms around his neck. Space between them ceased to exist. She hugged him using her whole body and whole heart.
Daniel stiffened; hard as granite in her arms. Then he relaxed and wrapped his steel arms around her. She felt the words he couldn’t say. Knew what he meant. In that moment she wished with all her might that money was the answer to his problems. Amelia had all the money in the world but it didn’t take away the injustices Daniel faced.
The next morning after a big room service breakfast, Amelia and Daniel took turns in the shower and then he helped her down to check out. She didn’t give him a chance to speak, just told him to get in the car and handed him the keys.
Daniel drove south with instructions to stop at the next town to buy clothing. Half an hour later, they arrived in Drogheda and parked in front of a small store.
“I shouldn’t be goin’ in there,” he said, staring at the steering wheel.