Lily's Secrets [Elk Creek 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Gigi Moore

long have I been not around the living?”
    “You’ve been in and out of consciousness since we brought you back from the woods three days ago.”
    “More out than in, I would gather.”
    “You had a fever and were fighting an infection. It was to be expected.”
    “And you have been taking care of me during this time?”
    Lily suddenly felt shy and averted her eyes from his surprisingly sharp gaze. She hadn’t expected he would wake up so alert and full of questions. She’d hoped, but she hadn’t expected.
    “Look at me, Lily.”
    She raised her gaze to his face and her breath hitched in her chest at his impassive expression. His face looked like it had been carved from stone.
    If she only focused on his eyes, she felt as if she was looking at a white man, for she had never known an Indian with eyes such as his. When she let her gaze roam the rest of his face though, the long, shiny jet-black hair, light copper complexion, and high, sculptured cheekbones plainly gave away his heritage. For the first time since she had encountered him, she wondered what tribe he was from. “You’re Kiowa, aren’t you?” she blurted.
    “My mother was.” He nodded.
    She peered at him, unsure what to ask next, unsure if she should ask anything at all. “Was” indicated that his mother wasn’t with the living any longer. What had happened to his mother and father? She wanted to ask but didn’t know if she had that right.
    He didn’t owe her anything, after all, and despite her having helped save his life, she didn’t want to make him feel as if he was beholden to her. She knew that the situation was quite the opposite for most Indians and the Chinese. Each race believed that once one saved a life, one was responsible for that life from that point on.
    I am responsible for him .
    She found herself strangely comforted by the thought and not burdened at all.
    “You did not answer my question.”
    “I helped take care of you. Doctor Malloy did most of the work.”
    Dakota pointedly moved his head to look around the room before resting his gaze on her again. “But he is not here now.”
    “He took the bullet out and stitched you up before giving me instructions on how to take care of your wound in his absence.”
    “You nursed me.”
    “I guess you could call it that.”
    Dakota lightly squeezed her hand and grinned. “Was that you singing earlier?”
    “I…you heard me?”
    “I thought I was dreaming.”
    “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
    “I am sure that it is past time that I woke up anyway.” He struggled to sit up and Lily quickly moved to stack the pillows behind his head and shoulders.
    “There’s no need to rush.” Lily put her free hand on his chest, her pussy muscles trembling at the sturdiness of him. He didn’t feel like a man who had been immobile and recuperating from a bullet wound for the last few days.
    She stopped short of gasping at the sudden image of him shirtless.
    She’d touched his warm skin and run her fingers over the hard, ridged muscles of his abdomen as she’d cleaned his wound and changed his dressings. Yet she was more aroused with her hand on his shirt-clad chest than she ever had been touching his naked skin. Maybe because he was awake and aware of her touch, as aware as she was.
    Lily gave him a chastising look as she pushed him back against the pillows. “You need to regain your strength before you go anywhere.”
    “I am sure your husband disagrees.” He looked around the room again. “Where is he?”
    “He went into town to pick up supplies.”
    “And left you alone with me?”
    “It took me a while to convince him that you wouldn’t be a threat.”
    “He was right to be concerned.”
    Lily frowned. “You aren’t dangerous.”
    He squeezed her hand again. “You do not know that for sure.”
    “Of course I do.”
    Dakota held her look for a long moment before releasing her hand and turning his head to gaze out the window.
    “Have I offended you in some