Blyssful Lies (The Blyss Trilogy 2)

~Travis~

By the time I get Jules back to the cabin, she’s exhausted. I might have pushed her too far today, but the sooner she gets trained, and the faster I can get her to trust me, the better it will be for both of us. The next step is getting away from the cabin, leaving with new identities. I’m going to have to get creative with how I can convince her to take the next logical step, especially since I’m playing against time and her memory. I know Grant would have my ass if he knew what stresses I put her under today. He wanted her to stay relaxed and incur the least amount of stress possible while she recovers from her memory loss, but I’m under the gun myself. I don’t have that kind of time to play with.

Even when we leave here, it’s imperative she becomes proficient in everything I’m teaching her, because God forbid if I do become defenseless in a situation and unable to help her, she has to be able to defend herself.

The things Justin said to me just before he passed out have been on my mind like a record player stuck on repeat. I have no doubt Nick has his ways of finding us, but he would be foolish to think I don’t have my defenses up and systems in place, ready to strike back.

Jules lets out a long, loud yawn, and I ask as I affectionately rub her back, “Can I fix you some lunch before you take a nap?” She stretches out her arms, reaching toward the ceiling, and yawns again, shaking her head.

“No, thank you,” she responds sleepily and slumps her body into my broad chest. “Maybe when I wake up I’ll get something to eat, but right now, I just want to lie down.”

“Are you sore or in pain anywhere?” I ask concerned, afraid I pushed her past her threshold.

“No, really, I’m fine, just sleepy,” she reassures me and gives me a small smile.

I nod and lean down to scoop her up into my arms. Not expecting to be quickly swept off her feet, she squeals. “Travis, I can walk, you know.”

I give her a quick peck on her lips and grin. “I know you can walk, but why can’t I spoil my woman, huh?”

She snuggles into my chest and wraps her arms around my neck. “Well, alrighty then. Spoil me.”

As I walk to my bedroom, I growl into her neck, breathing in her strawberry-scented hair and whispering in her ear, “I would love nothing more than to do just that, but I don’t think you’re up for my kind of spoiling right now.” I nip her earlobe and she gasps softly in response. She feels so good in my arms; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of her.

Once I get her into my bed, tucking her in, I pointedly tell her, “I want you to be a permanent fixture in my bed from now on. I’ll move your clothes in here for you.” I watch as she sheepishly looks away. I cock my head to the side. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to?”

Coyly, she looks out from under her long lashes at me. “Are you sure? I mean, isn’t this moving too fast, Travis?”

I sit down beside her and tuck a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “It’s not fast enough in my book, sweetheart.” I look into her soft blue eyes with sincerity and give her a grin. “Please, stay here with me. I want you to.”

She nods her head while a small smile forms at the corners of her mouth. “Okay, but if you snore, I’m outta here.”

I pretend to take offense at her comment, placing my hand over my heart. “Me? You’re the one who saws logs. I toss and turn all night you’re so loud.”

“Stop it.” She playfully swats at my chest. “I do not.”

I lean in to kiss her forehead. “Jules, I want to show you something before you go to sleep.” I lean over her, move the decorative pillows aside, and reach into the headboard. “I had this cubbyhole custom-made into the headboard. I keep a gun hidden behind these pillows.”

She shifts, twisting her body onto her side to have a look at what I’m showing her. I pull out the same style Sig she worked with today.

“Oh, my gosh, Travis, how many secret hiding places do you have!” she exclaims.

“Enough to keep us alive; one can never be too careful.”

“No, I guess not, especially after the things you showed me today. I suppose you have a valid point.”

“This is the same type of gun you practiced with earlier, and it stays locked and cocked. All you have to do is take the safety off and pull the trigger.”