Clay's Hope

by Melissa Haag

  * * * *

  Studying the motel Gabby had checked into, I remained crouched near the tree line. There wasn't much to see. Two parked cars occupied the small parking lot, and through the office window, the man at the desk leaned back in his chair and stared at a small television. I glanced again at the window for Gabby's room. A light shined through. Did that mean she was still awake, though?

  She'd walked so far, her feet dragging long scuffs in the dirt along the shoulder of the road. She'd been exhausted. I'd thought she would have turned back before she reached the motel. Yet, she'd kept going, her desperation to leave clear. And, my desperation to keep her had me crouched behind a bush.

  Rubbing a hand over my face, I regretted not catching her while we walked. I wasn't sure what to do next. I couldn't risk knocking on her door and trying to talk to her. She'd been upset the first time she'd laid eyes on me. I doubted the second time would go much better as tired as she was.

  The light in Gabby's room dimmed considerably, drawing my attention. A plan formed. Slowly, I grinned in the darkness and stood. She didn't need to cooperate...she just needed to sleep through it all.

  Keeping to the shadows, I crept toward the motel. Outside, I pressed my ear to her door, listening. The sound of her deep breathing made my smile. She was already out. Time to move.

  The round handle resisted when I tried it, and a frustrated growl escaped me. It would have been easier if she hadn't locked it. I twisted the knob sharply and heard the locking mechanism break. Holding my breath, I listened again. Inside, her breathing remained steady. I eased the door open, watching for a security chain. Nothing. I opened it wider and slipped into the room, quickly easing the door closed behind me.

  Gabby lay on the bed, the bathroom light shining on her hair. She was curled on her side, a hand resting under her cheek. My heart clenched tight in my chest at the sight, and I reached up to rub the ache. Mine. I exhaled slowly and tore my gaze from her to look around for her things. There wasn't much. Her shoes were neatly by the door, telling me a lot about her personality, and her bag near the bed. I found her toothbrush next to the sink where the stench of rotten eggs, from the faucet, lingered.

  With everything stowed away, I removed my jacket and lengthened the strap of her bag. Unable to look away, I watched her as I fit the bag across my back, out of the way. My palms began to sweat. I planned to carry her to the Compound. Touching her, holding her, for over an hour...my skin rippled, and I closed my eyes for a moment to steady my control.

  Opening my eyes, I moved close to the side of the bed and pulled back the covers. She didn't move. I took my time to cover her with my jacket. My hands shook when I bent to slide my arms under her.

  She weighed nothing to me as I lifted and settled her against my chest. She murmured and nestled her cheek against my neck, and I froze, unable to breathe. My heart hammered hard in my chest. Pure want boiled in my veins. Bite me, I thought. I held still, hoping, but she didn't move.

  After a moment, I realized she wouldn't, and I calmed enough to walk to the door. Using my foot, I nudged the door open and walked out into the night, carrying the most precious thing in my world. I held her to me, enjoying the feel of her in my arms as I kept to the shadows. Avoiding the road and its noise, I went to the woods.

  I took my time, walking carefully, not wanting to jar her. What would she do if she woke? If she woke while I held her, she'd most likely be angry. If I were lucky, she'd bite me in her irritation. I shuddered and tried to push that kind of thinking aside. It wasn't helping my control.

  What would I do if she woke? I studied her features, the way her lashes fanned against her cheeks, the freckles that sprinkled the bridge of her nose, her soft lips. I struggled to keep moving as I stared at them. What would she do if I kissed her? Would she run again? Probably.

  I tore my gaze from her and studied the woods around us. Leaves crunched under my bare feet. In the distance, frogs croaked. Nearby, the animals quieted until we quickly passed. At this pace, it would take less time to return than it had to leave.

  What would she do when she woke up and found herself back in her room at the Compound? I frowned as I considered her reaction. She wouldn't be happy, that was for sure, and that wouldn't work well for me. Mad people didn't listen, and I needed her open to reason when we first talked. How could I keep her from being angry?

  I remembered something my dad once told me about my mom. She was good at confusing the hell out of me until I didn't know what to do or say. That was when she usually got her way.

  Glancing down at Gabby, I wondered if I could confuse her enough to get my way. The ache in my chest returned. I couldn't rub it. So, I pressed her closer. It helped.

  As I expected, it didn't take long before I entered Thomas' territory. Fortunately, she hadn't woken. She'd barely moved. I should have been thankful for that but was too busy dwelling on the fact that I'd need to let her go soon. My fingers twitched with the need to hold her tighter.

  Instead, I paused and crouched near the ground. Balancing her in my lap, I studied her for a moment. Although a gentle breeze played with her hair, her peaceful expression never changed. I wished I could be there when she woke. Reaching down, I grabbed a handful of leaves and began to tuck them into her soft hair. Unable to help myself, I touched her face. My fingers left behind streaks of dirt. I cringed. Hadn't meant to do that.

  She looked like she'd walked herself back to the Compound. With a grin, I lifted her again, my hands likely leaving dirt streaks on her clothes. She shifted in my arms, and I froze. She made a small noise and settled her hand against my chest. Again, I had to focus on breathing.

  She was mine. She'd figure that out. I just needed to give her some time and find a way to give us a chance to talk. When she didn't move again, I started out, closing the distance to the Compound.

  There were still a few males wandering about, but no one paused to speak with me when I entered. A few cast worried glances at Gabby. Probably the leaves. I stopped to drop her shoes near the entry. I planned to put some mud on them too. Then, I padded my way to her apartment. It was easy to find. Now that I had her scent, I could trace it anywhere.

  I shifted her to one side so I could tap on the door. Sam opened it right away, a surprise lift to his expression at the sight of Gabby in my arms.

  "Is she all right?" he asked. His gruff voice gave away his concern.

  I nodded and stepped forward. I didn't want to have a conversation while I held her. If she woke up now, in my arms, looking like a mess...well, it wouldn't be good.

  Sam quickly moved out of my way. I strode into their apartment and followed her scent to the bedroom. As gently as possible, I shifted her in my arms and pulled down the covers then tucked her in.

  She didn't know it yet, but I'd take care of her, always.