by DJ Phoenix
Before she could gain her strength back, a loud knock came from the front door. Luke pulled back and looked at her.
“That would be Dr. Miller. He said he’d be by this morning to give you the next dose of antibiotics.” He gave her one last longing look and sat up. “I’ll get the door and give you a minute to throw something comfortable on.” He stood and swiftly donned his jeans, fastening the button and zipper as another knock broke through the silence.
Neglecting to put his shirt and shoes on, he walked out to answer the door as if being in her house half-dressed was the most normal thing in the world. Cynthia’s cheeks burned as she thought of what the doctor would think. No doubt the doctor was aware she barely knew Luke. She was new to the town, after all.
She stood and picked up her clothes from the floor. Slipping back into them as quickly as she could with only one good arm, she ran to the mirror and finger combed her hair. Hopefully she wouldn’t look too much like she’d just had mind-blowing sex with the half-naked man answering the door. Before she could give much thought to anything else, there was a knock at her bedroom door.
Luke’s voice came through. “Cynthia? Doctor Miller is here to check on you.”
Not sure what to do, she sat on the bed with her back against the headboard. “Please come in.”
The door swung open and Luke appeared, followed by an older man. Salt and pepper hair and slight wrinkles gave the appearance he was in his mid- to late-fifties. Cynthia found herself smiling in response to the man’s friendly smile. No doubt he had figured out what they had been doing before he showed up, but instead of judgment she found kindness in the older man’s eyes.
Luke’s voice drew her from her musings. “Cynthia, this is Doctor Miller.”
The doctor approached her side of the bed and extended his hand. “Nice to finally meet you, Cynthia, you weren’t quite yourself the other night, and we didn’t get to be properly introduced.”
She shook his hand the best she could without hurting her arm. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Miller. Thank you so much for tending to me. You really didn’t have to come all the way out here. I could’ve made my way down to your office.”
Before she could continue the doctor cut her off. “I’m glad I could help, and it is absolutely no trouble for me coming to see you here. I make house calls all the time. Besides, Luke is a good friend, has been for many years. You’re important to him, and that’s all that’s needed to make us friends, too. Now, let me check your stitches.”
Without hesitation, the good doctor got to work unraveling her bandage. She hadn’t gotten a look at her wound before she passed out the night before, so she was curious to see how bad it was. Hopefully it wouldn’t leave a nasty scar. A gasp escaped her lips as she took the wound in. Eight gashes scarred her forearm; three of them must have been pretty deep since each had multiple stitches. The area around all the scratches was red and felt tender as the doctor touched the area.
Doctor Miller gently but firmly rubbed an alcohol wipe around the gashes. When he was done, he looked up at her. “It’s important to clean the area every day. I’ll leave some alcohol wipes and extra bandages with Luke.” He looked at her pointedly as if to say, am I wrong to assume Luke will be caring for your wound.
Cynthia’s cheeks turned beet red at his implication, but the good doctor continued with his instructions as if he hadn’t noticed her blush. “Your wound had a lot of dirt in it along with whatever else the animal had stepped on before it attacked you. It looks like the antibiotics are doing their job and the wound is healing nicely. But, there is still some redness around the area that needs to be kept an eye on. If the reddened area grows or hurts more than what it does now, or if you develop a fever, I need to see you immediately. Tomorrow I’ll come by to give you the next dose of antibiotics and check on the wound. For now, keep the area dry and clean. By the looks of it now, though, I’ll be pulling the stitches out in a day or two. Now, I’m administering the antibiotics through injection as they will do their job quicker and more efficiently. What I’m giving you now is an antibiotic and pain medication combo. It may make you drowsy, so no driving.”
He pulled out a needle and got to work filling it with the liquid from a small vial. After he cleaned an area on her upper arm with an alcohol wipe she felt the prick of a needle, then the slight burning of the liquid seeping into her muscle. Before she could fully register the slight discomfort, he was swiping another alcohol wipe on the area.
“There, all done. If you feel any pain later just take a dose of the pain medication I left for you. You can take one every four to six hours as needed for pain. Just keep in mind that they will make you drowsy, so no driving.”
Cynthia let out a slow breath as the good news registered. The doctor seemed confident her arm would heal in a day or two, so that probably meant it wasn’t as bad as it looked. “Thank you, Doctor. I guess it looks worse than it actually is.”
“Or you just heal quickly, dear.” The good doctor stood and winked at her as he gathered his things into his medicine bag. Walking to the door he shook hands with Luke and assured him he could walk himself out.
She tried to get off the bed to walk the doctor out, but her eyelids felt heavy and her limbs were like lead. Her last thought before sleep took her was that she really needed to stop taking whatever pain medication the good doc was ordering.
Luke
A few hours later Luke stood by the door, his gaze fixed on a sleeping Cynthia and a tray of food in hand. He had to tell her the truth, but he had no idea how to go about it.
She stirred, and he stepped near the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?” He walked to the nightstand and set the tray down. “I brought you lunch. We skipped breakfast, and you’re healing, so you need to eat to keep your strength up.”
She smiled, and his heart filled with joy. Never had he seen anyone’s smile illuminate a room, nor had he felt so much love at such a sight.
“I’m great. My arm barely hurts and, you heard the good doctor, I’m healing quickly.” She squinted her eyes as if in thought, and tapped her bottom lip with her index finger. “You know … come to think of it, I’ve always healed pretty quickly, even when Dylan …”
She trailed off, and his wolf bristled at her mention of another male. A low growl threatened to erupt deep in his throat, but he contained it.
However, without notice, she continued, not giving him much time to dwell on it. “Must be good genes. Dad was always healthy and full of life.” A yawn broke her train of thought. “God, I need to stop those painkillers. They make me so tired.” She scooted up on the bed to rest her back on the backboard. “You know, it was Mom that became ill at the end.” Her eyes became misty with unshed tears, and he sat on the bed, pulling her onto his lap.
He held her gently as he ran his hand up and down her back to soothe her. His heart clenched at the look of sadness marring her beautiful face. His thumb caught a lone tear that rolled down her cheek, causing his heart to ache. “Want to talk about it?”
She straightened her back and looked at him, her eyes searching his for a moment. “I’m sorry. Thinking about my parents makes me melancholic. I cared for my mother before she passed, but when my father died I wasn’t around. I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Luke nodded in understanding, yet baffled to hear both her parents were dead. It wasn’t impossible for their kind to die, but it never happened from illness. Shifters just didn’t get sick. Whichever one of her parents had carried shifter blood had most likely died by someone’s hand. For that reason alone, he was grateful she hadn’t been around. He knew that was selfish of him, but if it had kept her safe he could live with that. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose one’s parents.”
“Thank you. I know Mom is better off. She was in so much pain with the cancer and all. But Dad, he was in a terrible car accident. He made it to the hospital, but his injuries were so severe the doctors couldn’t save him. Mom and Cassie
were able to be with him during his last moments, but I wasn’t even able to come to his funeral.”
She sniffled and he pulled her closer, giving her as much comfort as he could. It was no secret that wolves were physical beings. Needing to be around each other and taking comfort in physical touch.
He knew the pain of losing one’s parents. He had suffered through it at the young age of eight when his mother had been killed by a hunter. It had been his father and him ever since until fifty years ago, when a lowly coward ambushed his father and killed him. The only satisfaction Luke had was that he had gotten his revenge. He had confronted the bastard and challenged his newly acquired Alpha position, killing him like the rat he had been. The challenge had earned Luke his current Alpha position, which he hadn’t really wanted back then, but had learned to embrace over the years.
Slowly, she relaxed in his arms, and a barely audible rumble reverberated in her chest. He smiled knowing it was her dormant wolf enjoying her mate’s touch. Cynthia wasn’t aware she’d made such a noise. If he hadn’t been so in tune with her, he would have missed it himself.
“You know … Jack and Lucy … Kristy’s grandparents invited me to dinner at six. Would you like to accompany me?”
Cynthia pulled away her eyes going wide. “Oh my God! I totally forgot. Lucy invited me to dinner when I was leaving the diner on Sunday.”
He kept his face blank. He already knew she had been invited and was eager to see how she interacted with his pack. Even though dinner was only with Jack and Lucy, it still made his wolf rumble his approval of their mate forming bonds with their pack. “Well then, it’s settled. We have a dinner to get to.”
Cynthia looked a little out of sorts before she answered. “Well … I’d really like to go, but, I need to shower and fix my hair. I can’t wet the bandages on my arm so it will take some time for me to shower and get ready.”
Luke smiled as he pointed out the obvious. “Not to worry, my sweet. I will take care of you.” With that said, Luke swiftly set her on the edge of the bed and stood. “You get your things ready. I’ll get my bag from my truck and find some plastic and tape for your arm.”
Without allowing her any time to protest, he walked out of the room. He stood right outside the door until he heard her moving. He smiled to himself, satisfied to know that she trusted him.
Because he had needed to shift unexpectedly various times in the past, he had decided long ago it was wise to always keep spare clothes in his truck. He stepped out the front door and, stretching, took a deep lungful of fresh air. The cool mountain air brought with it the promise of rain and, thankfully, no unfamiliar scents. He smiled to himself, thinking of all the different ways he could pleasure his mate if they spent the rainy day safe within the cabin. He would make sure she screamed his name over and over every time she came for him.
Tempting as the thought was, he shook his head to clear the route his thoughts had headed. He concentrated on the task at hand. His mate needed help getting ready, and he would take care of everything for her. That was his job, to make sure his mate’s needs were met, even before his own. Besides, there was no way Lucy would let him live if they didn’t make it to dinner.
Stepping back inside the cabin he gathered all he needed from the cabinet in the laundry room and made his way to the bedroom. Cynthia was bending low, her gorgeous ass up in the air as she searched through the bottom drawer of the dresser.
Without thought, he crossed the room and splayed his hands over her rear, sliding them to grip her hips as he stepped closer to her. Her gasp of surprise only added to the already raging desire he was feeling at the mere sight of her. She tried to straighten herself, but he held her in place. His wolf wanted nothing more than to take her in this very enticing position, but reason got through to the man. He knew that if he was going to get them both ready in time for dinner, he had to suppress the desire burning through his core.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped back, allowing her to straighten her back. She spun and looked at him, a mix of surprise and desire swirling in the deep-green pools of her eyes. He was speechless as he took her in. She took his breath away. All the while thinking about how he could have been so lucky to find his mate, the one who would complete him and share the rest of his long existence with him. He reached for a stray lock of hair and tucked it behind her ear.
Before his wolf won the internal battle, he decided it was best to get the task at hand done. “Let’s get this bag on your arm and then I’ll help you bathe.” He took her hand, not giving her time to protest, and pulled her along. “Take a seat.”
Cynthia still looked like she was processing what he had told her, and he was glad she hadn’t objected. At least until she found her voice again. “What do you mean you will help me bathe?”
“Exactly what I said. I will help you undress, then I will help you wash your delectable body and your beautiful hair, and then I will help you dry your hair and get dressed.” He worked to cover her injury with the plastic bag.
He kept his eyes fixed on what he was doing. He knew if he stared into those gorgeous electric eyes he’d be lost, and they would never get to Lucy’s on time. “Done. Now, let’s see about getting you naked and wet.”
He wiggled his eyebrows, and her laughter broke the brief silence, making something deep in his core clench with need. He was sure if he were to live the rest of his life and only get to hear one thing, it would be his mate’s laugh. Suppressing all his desire to stay there and wrap her in his arms, he stood, pulling her up with him.
Giving her a quick peck on her soft lips, he led her to the bathroom.
Chapter 14
Luke
Steam began filling the room as he turned to help shed her clothes. She looked at him with longing, yet there was also apprehension. His wolf stirred at the sight. He didn’t like seeing their mate out of sorts. “Cynthia, I’m going to help you undress now and then. I’ll help you wash your body and hair.” Heat spread across her cheeks and he smiled inwardly, understanding the apprehension he saw in her eyes was due to embarrassment, not mistrust. He chuckled and grabbed the hem of her tank top. “I assure you, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I already committed to memory every inch of your delectable body. Now, let’s get cleaned up so we can make our dinner date. Lucy will skin me if I keep you from coming over.”
She giggled and nodded as he pulled the tank first off her good arm and then over her head. He maneuvered the garment slowly off her injured arm without damaging the carefully attached plastic. Dropping the tank on the floor he stood, admiring her gorgeous mounds. How he wanted to taste them again, to feel their weight on his palms. Instead, he refrained and moved on to her pants. Placing her good hand on his shoulder, he bent to help her slip one foot and then the other off. To his surprise his mate had omitted a certain undergarment, and he barely suppressed the needy growl his wolf just released.
Slowly he stood as he ran his nose up her inner leg, veering away from her apex at just the right moment. He felt her shudder, and her hand on his shoulder tightened, letting him know she was as affected by him as he was by her. He straightened to his full height when he reached her waist, replacing his nose with his firm hands. Begrudgingly, he stepped away and unbuttoned his jeans, dropping them on top of the pile already on the floor. He usually wore boxer briefs, but he had omitted them when Miller had stopped by earlier.
They stood in front of each other as naked as they’d come into the world. He saw her gaze sweep over him, and his wolf pranced around like a love-struck pup. She was checking him out and seemed to be pleased with what she saw. Her left hand came up to her chest and her tongue darted out, wetting her sensual lips. Then her gaze swept back down, stopping on his manhood.
He stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, pulling her flush against him, taking a moment to bury his face in her hair and inhale her scent. “As much as I’d like to stay here and get my fill of you, we need to shower and get dressed so we can m
ake it to dinner.”
She was at a loss for words and just nodded, gulping as her eyes met his. “Okay … um … I mean, you’re right. We better get on with it.”
He laughed at her choice of words. He could certainly take them way out of context, but as much as he loved seeing her blush they really needed to hurry. They stepped into the shower and he led her to stand under the cascade of steamy water.
She sighed as the water ran down her body. Struggling to stay focused as the droplets of water splashed and ran down her curves, he picked up the body wash and wash cloth. Applying a generous amount of wash, he formed lather and began to wash his mate’s body.
Cynthia
His delicious hands ran down the length of her body slick with body wash, leaving a trail of heat as they traveled down her form. She bit her lip, attempting to suppress the moan that wanted to escape. She was embarrassed at how much he turned her on. She had to get a hold of her raging body. He was trying to help her, for goodness sake.
The slightly rougher texture of the washcloth snapped her out of her desire-induced state. She opened her eyes and met his gray ones; they were so bright, like glowing quicksilver. She was transfixed by them, held captive and unwilling to look away. All she could think about was how much she wanted to dive into them and lose herself there.
His hands ran the wash cloth through every part of her body. On his way up her legs when he reached her apex, he dropped the wash cloth. He gently parted her lips and washed between her folds, making sure the wash didn’t enter her delicate opening. He knew what he was doing. That bit of knowledge gave way to doubt as she considered how many women he’d had in his shower before her. The sting of jealousy like she had never known it before flooded her insides and suddenly she felt angry.
