Wrapped up like a burrito on bed, it dawned on me once again that I just though ill of him., It was only by this time that I realized, again, that how hard it was to make a soldier aroused., Ernest helped me with bathing and that was it., Indeed we've made out with each other before, but I couldn't help but challenge him for that,

"Ernest, are you... incompetent?

", Such a question could wound any man's pride, but Ernest was no ordinary man. He pinned me down gently,

"Keep it together, will you? No more games, they're pointless.

", He saw right through me.,

"Ernest, you know that hurts,

" I said in a defeated look and covered myself with quilt in anger. He peeled the quilt off my head, softly tousling my hair,

"It's not that I am incompetent or that you're not tempting. I just don't want to hurt you, so let's wait until you're fully recovered.

", My cheeks flushed a shade redder,

"So, if I get hurt at the slightest touch, you'll just... never touch me again?

", Ernest hesitated, then nodded,

"Yeah, I'd rather endure.

", I covered myself by the quilt again and turn a deaf ear to him. However, he just held me like that,

"I won't let it happen.

", With a flushed cheek, Ernest kissed me softly and murmured,

"Just relax for a bit. I'm gonna take a shower.

" Definitely a cold one!, The thought flashed crossed my mind and then he admitted.,

"Cold shower.

", I was at a loss for words., He was really a man of principle that he chose to make himself suffered rather than touching me., I was deeply touched as I watched him leave, calling out,

"Ernest.

", He turned,

"Hmm?

",

"OK you win,

" I blurted out, sticking my tongue out before diving back under the quilt in bashfulness., Ernest chuckled softly,

"Got you.

", When he returned, I had fallen asleep again. I was burned down by the news of my parents' death, but he calmed me down. However, the strong emotions I've been trough this afternoon somehow exhausted, me., I did know if Ernest's presence made me feel ease. I somehow slept tight that night until dawn. I woke to find him not gone for his morning workout but beside me, reading., His multifaceted nature never ceased to surprise me and also outshone others., I watched him silently until we had an eye contact.,

"Awake?

" He set his book aside, stroking my head and it felt like a tender gesture from a grandpa to his grandson. I snuggled closer,

"Why skip your workout for reading?

",

"I didn't want you to wake up alone,

" his words warmed my heart., He was protecting me from nightmares and from being alone., I propped myself up, nestling in his embrace,

"Ernest, you are by far the best man I've ever met.

",

"Oh,

" his response was disappointingly nonchalant.,

"That's the highest praise I can give, and that's all you say?

" I said.,

"Thank you for your praise, Mrs. Collins,

" his words made me blush in cheek again., I grumbled in a flirting manner,

"Who's Mrs. Collins? I haven't agreed to marry you. Besides, you haven't even proposed.

",

"Oh,

" a single word again.,

"What's that supposed to mean?

" Talking with him felt like an endless quest for clarity., His way of talking seemed like his words were as worthy as golds that he did not talk for free., But it really made people confused., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.