Merrick rose early, his body sore from the fight with Kent. After lighting a candle, he spent time reading the Bible and conversing with his Father, getting direction and guidance for the new day. When he was done, he sat beside the bed and watched the angel sleeping there. At least she had been able to get some rest after last night's trauma.
Her back was to him. As the light filtered in through the window, she stirred. The delicate curls of her hair flowed over the pillow like gentle waves across a white beach. Seeing the pink scars on her bare skin, he cringed in anger as her story came rushing back to him.
Sensing someone watching her, Charlisse sprang up in bed. The morning chill alerted her to the blanket slipping down, and horrified, she grabbed the wayward cloth just in time. She hoped Merrick hadn't noticed, but she could tell from his mischievous smile that he had. A scorching heat crept up her neck, making its way onto her face.