Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Sitting beside him, Josefina couldn't help but admire his lean, muscular back, free of any excess fat. Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, his skin the color of sun-toasted wheat. His trim waist hinted at a strength that was unmistakable...

A blush crept up Josefina's cheeks, spreading to her ears like the ripening of a tomato, so tempting one could almost imagine taking a bite to savor the juicy fruit.

"Ouch..."

Oliver turned to look at her, and she gently pressed against his head. "Stay put for me." She couldn't bear to meet Oliver's eyes, afraid she might get lost in them.

Oliver lay on the bed, a warm breath spreading across his back. Josefina did blow on the wound, and it really seemed to help.

After a while, she took out a salve she had made and began to apply it to his cuts. "Stay still. I'm going to change your dressing," she instructed.

obediently lay still, true to

back the gauze, she spread the ointment, its cool touch bringing him relief. "Get some

have no choice but to offer myself to you to show my thanks." "Who wants you to offer yourself..."

out of his line of sight, she nibbled on

were unaware of her predicament. Oliver had deliberately kept the incident under wraps, hoping

Luke on her phone, learning that Oliver had indeed taken care of the two assailants. She was surprised. Oliver was a man of action. She knew she shouldn't have doubted him. The feeling of being protected was something she had only felt

with some work on her phone and messaged Hattie, saying she would return home late after dinner

sun set outside the window, Josefina's eyelids were heavy, and she dozed off against the back of her chair. When Oliver turned to

in the glow, tightening Oliver's throat with emotion. He rose, shirtless, and approached Josefina, bending down

of the setting sun. Oliver gently lifted Josefina and placed her on the

And so they slept.