Page 31 of Puck Tease
"Did I ask?"
"No."
"Then move."
I walked to the bedroom, my legs stiff and aching. I stripped off my clothes again, the familiar ritual. I was getting used to being naked in this room. It felt more natural than being clothed, a second skin shed.
I sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sighing under my weight.
Jax walked in. He had a first aid kit in his hand, a white plastic box.
I blinked, surprise flushing through me. "What's that for?"
"The bite," he said, his voice flat. "It's bleeding."
He sat next to me, the mattress dipping. He opened the kit, the plastic lid snapping open. He took out an alcohol wipe and a small, sterile bandage.
"Turn," he ordered.
I turned my back to him, my shoulder exposed.
I felt the cool sting of the alcohol wipe on my skin. He cleaned the wound carefully, meticulously. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to the violence of the shower, the brutality of his teeth.
"It's deep," he murmured, his voice low. "I might have gone too hard."
"It's okay," I whispered, the words barely audible.
"No, it's not. I broke the skin. That's infection risk."
He applied a dab of antibiotic ointment, the cool cream a soothing balm. Then he placed a large, square bandage over the angry red mark.
He smoothed the adhesive down with his thumbs, his movements precise.
"There," he said. "Better."
He leaned forward, his lips brushing the bandage. Softly. A ghost of a kiss.
My breath hitched in my throat. "Jax?"
"Shut up," he said, pulling back abruptly. The softness vanished, replaced by the familiar mask of indifference. "Don't read into it. I just can't have my toy getting sepsis. It would be inconvenient."
He stood up.
"Get under the covers," he said. "You're shivering."
I crawled under the duvet, pulling the heavy fabric up to my chin. I was shivering, the adrenaline crash hitting me hard, leaving me cold and depleted.
Jax stripped down to his boxer briefs, his movements fluid and unhurried. He turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness.
He got into bed next to me.
Usually, he stayed on his side, maintaining a distinct line of separation between our bodies.
Tonight, he shifted. He moved closer, the mattress dipping with his weight.
I felt his arm drape over my waist. Heavy. Solid.
He pulled me backward until my back was pressed against his chest. He spooned me, his body a warm, firm presence.
