Hope(less)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16 

I felt Clay hop up on my bed and forced my eyes open. Tremors still shook me, and the mid-morning light sent shafts of pain into my aching head. The last time this had happened, it had taken close to twenty-four hours of sleep before I woke up without a headache. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to sleep this one off. If I didn't show up at the Compound on time, those Forlorn would come looking for me, and Clay would get hurt again. 

My mind worked sluggishly as I stared at the time. The clock displayed nine. It would take a little over eight hours to get to the Compound. We'd arrive around dinner. 

"C-clay, we need to get to the Compound. Can you drive?" I struggled to sit up. He cocked his fuzzy head at me. "A lot happened last night while you were gone. I'll tell you about it on the way." 

I tried to stand, but a wave of dizziness knocked me back onto the bed. Blood rushed to my head and pulsed in my ears. I almost didn't hear Clay move while I sat there panting. I waited a moment, took a deep breath, then tried to stand again. 

This time, Clay wrapped an arm around me to help. He'd shifted. I glanced at the door. It stood ajar. Was Rachel still home? He needed to be more careful. My wandering eyes caught our reflection in the mirror. 

He stood beside me, looking down at me with concern. No wonder. I had my arm curled around his bare waist in a death grip, just to stay standing. My pale face enhanced the dark circles under my eyes. A frizzy mass of hair haloed my head. I looked like hell. 

He, however, looked-I stopped gazing at his naked chest long enough to see his eyes narrow-pissed. He'd just figured out what I'd done again, and for the first time, I experienced a sense of appreciation that he didn't talk. Not wanting to meet his gaze, I decided to go back to enjoying the view. He wore jeans, unbuttoned and low on his hips. One arm wrapped around my shaking shoulders. He started to rub little circles on my skin with his thumb. He reached up with his other hand and lightly touched my forehead. Though he was upset with me, his concern was plain, as was...I squinted in an attempt to see clearly and then scowled. 

He once again sported bruises and what looked like a bite mark. How many challengers were there out there? I'd thought just a couple. He came home with bruises too often for it to be the same few. And a bite? I frowned at the mark on his shoulder, but my fuzzy brain distracted itself again. I lost my scowl. Even with his bruises and bite mark, Clay looked incredible. I would have drooled at the view he gave if I weren't so sick. 

"I need to use the bathroom then start packing." 

He nodded and helped me through the door. My head throbbed with each step. I leaned against him, let my head hang a little, and trusted him to guide me. Because of my position, I saw Rachel's feet as she intercepted us. 

"Hi, Clay. How'd you get here?" 

I forced myself to look up. Still in her pajamas and sleep rumpled, she looked gorgeous. How she pulled that off, I had no idea. Concern filled her eyes when she took in the sight of me. 

"I called him. Sorry, Rachel, I didn't want to bug you." 

Her gaze drifted to Clay. "It's okay, I get it." She eyed Clay's bare chest and his face as he continued to support me. 

I'd forgotten she hadn't seen him cleaned up like I had. Although bruised and bitten probably wasn't the best first impression, being shirtless kind of made up for it. She certainly wasn't looking at him in a clinically concerned way, and it made me smile. Rachel was a free spirit and loved life. She didn't mean anything when she looked, but I could sense it made Clay a little uncomfortable. I shivered again. Perfect timing.