Running Fire by Lindsay McKenna Page B

a sock in her mouth? She cast around for solutions and found none. “Maybe I could go sleep in the other cave?”
    He shook his head. “No. If you screamed like you did last night, Leah, we’ll be in trouble no matter where you’re sleeping.”
    â€œDo you have a sleep med on you? Something I could take that would knock me out?”
    â€œI do, but they don’t work like that,” he admitted, his voice low as he held her guilt-ridden gaze. “It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have another nightmare and wake up screaming again.”
    Groaning, she rubbed her face, frustrated. “I’m sorry. I wish I could control it.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault, Sugar. You’ve been through hell and it’s the shock working out of your system, is all.” Giving her a slight smile, Kell saw how anguished she’d become over their dangerous situation.
    Desperate, Leah tried to think of a way to not scream or make sounds as she slept. Every time he called her Sugar, her heart opened just a little more to Kell. “I don’t want you discovered by the Taliban because of me,” she managed, suddenly emotional. “This is my fault—”
    â€œWhoa,” he said, touching her shoulder, “don’t go there, Leah. None of this is your fault. You’re human. You’re hurting. Shock and grief wreak hell on all of us. On you.” He saw her eyes grow moist, felt her sudden desperation. His fingers became more firm on her shoulder. He could feel the soft firmness of her skin beneath the material, and wanted to feel more. Kell felt he was caught in a special hell with her.
    â€œMaybe I’ll try to stay awake tonight?” She dug into his narrowing gaze. Her conscience ate at her.
    â€œYou’d never make it staying awake all night,” Kell murmured. He dropped his hand back to his thigh. “Besides, if you’re working with me tomorrow, you have to get some sleep in order to be alert. I’ve given it a lot of thought,” he told her hesitantly, frowning.
    â€œDid you come up with an idea?” Leah saw him shrug, his expression suddenly uneasy. Why? Maybe take her up that other tunnel and sit her outside to sleep tonight?
    â€œYou probably won’t like the idea,” he began, holding her gaze. “But I thought if I held you...if we slept together, it might make you feel safer.”
    Stunned, her breath jammed in her throat. She stared at Kell, fear sizzling through her. “What?” she gasped.
    He opened his hands. “It’s the only thing I can think of, Leah. I know you’re an officer. I’m enlisted. I’ll just hold you. I promise not to do anything to make you uncomfortable. It’s just that we have to do something or there’s a good chance we’re at risk here.”
    Staring at him, Leah felt herself quiver inwardly. Oh, it wasn’t him she was worried about. It was her! Mouth dry, she saw the unhappiness in his eyes. Okay, maybe Kell didn’t want to do this, but he was making the best of a bad situation. His logic was sound. “I have no idea if it would stop me from having a nightmare.”
    â€œI know,” Kell admitted heavily. He had to go with his gut. Every time he’d held her before, she settled down in his arms. Leah relaxed. She trusted him for whatever reason. “I’m open to any other ideas you have. I can see you’re uncomfortable about mine. I knew you would be.”
    Her heart wrenched in her chest. If only Kell knew how much she
did
trust him.
    Pushing her hair away from her face with her fingers, a sign of nervousness, she whispered, “I don’t have another idea, Kell.” She gave him a rueful look. Leah couldn’t live with herself if she screamed out in the night. It would put both of them in serious jeopardy.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Kell offered quietly, holding her fearful stare. “Can you do it,