The Proverbial War

"Your stick isn't long enough for you to adequately be sure of feeling out the way ahead."

"Your point being what?" He asked in an aggravated tone.

Somehow I knew his annoyance was more with himself that it was the result of something directed personally at me or something that I had done. Not liking it, but seeing no alternative I said, "I should go first. I'm short and it would be easier for me to feel out the floor ahead of us than it is for you."

"Not happening honey! I go ahead first, because we don't know if there's something back here and if somebody's to be eaten it should be me for getting us in this mess!"

"What if you step into a hole like I did? Do you think I'm going to be able pull you out of one? Doubtful is too hopeful of a word to describe that scenario."

He said nothing and I took that opportunity to slide by him in the dark. There was that awareness tingle again. Awareness shot through me in spades as Colt's hands came down to securely fasten on my hips. Why did he have to hold onto me like that?

One hand moved to my front and I took the extinguished torch stick from him.

"Lead the way, Shorty." He said.

My teeth gritted harshly at the mention of my shortness. I wasn't all that short!

I wasn't exactly average height by American standards either though.

"Boy, I can literally feel how angry saying that made you."

"How would you like to feel how angry I am right now?" I said hotly in response as I stepped forward dislodging his grasp of my hips.

He chuckled in the darkness, "Okay, whatever you say Shorty."

That did it!

I wheeled around and swung the torch stick. My swing was arrested in action by a steel grip. I punched out with my other hand only to have its action arrested as a big hand folded over it totally engulfing my small fist. What kind of night vision did the man have for pity sakes!

Both my arms were twisted behind my back as I was pulled forward roughly against him. I was helpless and I didn't like it. Strangely though, I wasn't scared.

"You Miss Kim have a temper." Came Colt's voice in a humorous tone near my ear.

"I don't like being called Shorty and I don't like being restrained!"

His words were a surprise, "I apologize for egging you on, but that doesn't excuse the fact that you were in the process of trying to do me bodily harm yet again."