Page 37 of Allegiant

I think about arguing, but suddenly I’m exhausted. From Samson appearing in my class, to seeing how beloved he was at dinner, to the interaction after, to my…episode, it’s all too much. I can’t cope. Not right now.

I’m used to this feeling. For the last twelve months, it’s been my most steadfast companion. I’ve been facing it alone.

Maybe, just for tonight, I can let someone else face it with me.

Samson takes my silence for agreement. “Here, give me Nugget. I’ll put him in his crate until we get the mug shards cleaned up.”

That’s why he was holding him. Samson was preventing Nugget from getting hurt.

My walls lower a little bit more.

“Give him a treat from the tub on top,” I tell him as I kiss Nugget one last time and pass him over. “He’s very food motivated. He’ll be happy then.”

“Do not move,” he growls as he goes to do that. “I mean it, Row.”

Row. Such a simple nickname, but in this moment, it means the world to me.

When Nugget is safely sequestered, Samson returns to me. He bends down and sweeps me from the floor. I’m too numb to be impressed by his strength. I mean, who am I kidding? I’m a little impressed by his strength, but I’m also fucking tired. Tired of it all. My head falls against his chest as my eyes drift closed against my will.

The next thing I know, I’m being placed on a soft surface. My bed. Samson gently pushes on my shoulders until I’m lying down.

“What are you doing?” I murmur as his hands go to my waistband. “I’m not sure I’m awake enough for that.”

Samson rolls his eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m just checking your burns.”

Oh. The tea. Right.

We both wince as he carefully peels the wet material from my legs. I lift up on my elbows to check out the small red marks. “Not as bad as I thought.”

“Bad enough,” Samson says curtly, disappearing from sight. “Wait there.”

As if I have the energy to do anything else. I stare at the ceiling listlessly as the sounds of Samson rummaging through my bathroom cabinets filter through the air.

“This might sting,” he warns as he reappears.

I hiss as he presses a cool, wet cloth over each thigh. “Fuck.”

“It’ll feel better in a minute,” he soothes. He’s kneeling at my feet, looking at me with a concern that has my chest aching. “I found some aloe with lidocaine that we can use.”

“I got that after I burned myself while pouring water out of the kettle.”

“You don’t strike me as someone clumsy.”

“I’m not…usually.”

His gaze is pensive, boring into me. “Just when you have moments like you did before?”

“Yes.” I return my eyes to the ceiling. They’re safer there. The ceiling isn’t trying to read my mind…or get to know me.

The wet cloth disappears and a fluffy towel dabs at my skin. Cool cream follows, and I fight to hide my flinch.

“Sorry,” Samson says. Obviously I didn’t hide it well enough. “Nearly done.”

“Thank you,” I say, heat burning behind my eyes. I’ve seen so many sides to this man tonight. The idea of him that I’ve been fantasizing about has been fleshed out into a very real man. One who intrigues and frightens me all the same.

Not because he’s physically dangerous. That’s part of his appeal. Besides, given how he’s treating me right now?

I don’t think I need to be physically scared of Samson.