Thread: The Diverted Path (DareToDream & Hahvy)

The breeze was cool on his bare skin but Caleb didnt care. He would wait for as long as it took for the stubborn woman to come to her senses and accept his help and if she didnt, well, then hed simply pack up his gear and head back to his cottage that night, leaving her to survive on her own. A small part of him argued against that of course - he was raised by his mother after all and taught to take care of a lady in need but a bigger part squashed it. She was independent, head strong, impolite, and wary of him if she didnt accept her limitations on her own, hed never convince her otherwise. As he waited, crouched in the flickering light of the fire, he took another moment to study her. His gaze moved slowly over her and he realized, for the first time, just how attractive she was and he found that he liked that. It was an unusual thought for him, because he hadnt been with a woman in a long time, but it was there nonetheless and that surprised him. When hed first found her, he hadnt thought of her as a woman in that sense, but more as an injured person who just happened to be a woman. Now though, in the privacy of the night and the warmth of the fire, he saw what hed missed the first time. Shaking his head a tiny bit to clear those thoughts from his mind, he shifted his weight and continued his vigil. The handmade sling dangled from his hand, swaying in the breeze, almost as if it was trying to hypnotize her into giving in. It apparently worked too because the woman spoke then, her words short and halting. Tilting his head to the side, he smiled, knowing how much they had cost her from a personal pride standpoint. Definitely stubborn though this time she was much more polite at least, he thought. After a few moments of silence following her words, he finally nodded. Alright Rue he murmured, the words soft and low. Im going to approach you now and take care of it. Standing, he moved towards her slowly, hands out at his sides as he approached. When he reached the spot he needed, he crouched down again, this time only inches from her body. Being that close to her caused him to hesitate, his heart beating a little faster than it had before. It was an odd reaction and he wondered why it happened but instead of thinking on it long, he reached out and slowly placed his hand on her arm. This may hurt for a second he said, gazing into her eyes, a look of concern on his face but I have to move your arm just a little to get the sling around it. His calloused hand rested on her smooth skin and he marveled at the feel of it, so soft and smooth. Her body heat was slowly soaking into his palm, heating his blood to a slow boil, and he knew if he didnt move then, he might not move at all. Pulling her arm away from her body slightly, he slipped it into the sling and then set it back against her side. Raising the two ends, he slowly tied them off at the top of her shoulder, tightening it enough to give it support. Finally done, he slowly backed away from her before standing and moving back to his side of the fire. How does that feel? he asked, his voice carrying over the crackle of the flames. While he waited for her answer, he reached into his bag and pulled out some more beef jerky, setting it where she could see it. Now that her wall of stubbornness had been breached, perhaps she'd eat after all.