Page 7 of Punishing His Runaway Bride
Okay. Cut him some slack. He was just a not-so-lucid patient.
Damn! This asshole with a temper!
I took a deep breath and pointed at his hand. "You're hurt."
"None of your business."
"I can help—"
"I said get the fuck out!" His voice spiked, then he tried standing, body swaying hard, crashing back down.
I sighed and walked over.
"What the—" He eyed me warily.
"Shut up." I crouched, dodging glass, and reached to help him up.
His body burned hot, heat radiating through his shirt. It took real effort to haul him onto the sofa. I pressed close, almost draped overhim, catching his scent—whiskey, cigar, sweat, and something raw, masculine.
It made my heart race for no damn reason.
"Get out," he muttered weakly.
I ignored him and grabbed his hand. The cut wasn't deep, but blood seeped, maybe glass still in there.
"You need this cleaned," I said, standing. "I'll grab stuff from the bathroom."
"Who do you think you are?" he called after me, mocking. "Saint Maria?"
I ignored that too and pushed into the bathroom.
It sprawled big and clean, a stark contrast to the smoky room outside. I rifled the cabinet, found a first-aid kit with iodine, swabs, bandages.
He still slumped on the sofa, eyes half-closed, face flushed, breath ragged. Shirt gaped open, exposing a toned chest, collarbones sharp in the low light.
I sat beside him with the kit, pulled his hand.
His eyes snapped open, locked on me.
Those eyes... even now, they held you captive. Deep green like gems, shadowed sockets, long lashes, carrying an unspoken danger.
"What the hell do you want?" he asked.
"To stop the bleeding." My voice wavered.
"I don't need it."
"You do." I forced myself not to stare at his open collar, his heaving chest. "Your temp's through the roof."
"So?" He watched me, suspicious, guarded. "Playing savior? Or waiting for thanks, then—"
"Then what?" I cut in. "You pay me?"
He went silent, just stared.
That look sped my pulse.
I looked down, hiding my face, picked glass from the wound with a swab, then slapped on a bandage.
