by Lily Graison
Scratching the side of his neck, Devin slowly picked himself up off the ground and tried to steady himself. The shooting pain that radiated from his ankle brought him to his knees.
"Fuck,” he hissed as he tried to look at his ankle. It was so dark he could barely see his hand in front of his face. Taking a deep breath he let it out slowly and closed his eyes as the pain from his injuries left him suddenly dizzy.
He tried to focus his eyes on anything but the longer he tried, the more his vision blurred. He wondered if something bigger than a squirrel would eat him if he lay there all night, and mumbled Holly's name before he blacked out.
* * * *
Devin was dreaming. Warmth engulfed him and soft hands roamed his body. The scent of jasmine surrounded him and he smiled, his aching muscles relaxing with every second that passed.
Soft music played somewhere in the distance and an angel hovered above him. He heard his name, whispered on a breath, and the fluttering of butterfly wings skated across his cheek.
"Devin, can you hear me? Come on, wake up."
He blinked. His eyes felt like they had steel weights on them and he tried with every bit of energy he had to open them.
A slight move of his legs caused pain to radiate through his body and he opened his eyes a second later. A pained groan crawled up his throat and he turned his head, looking to the right.
Holly was there, concern etched across her face.
"Devin?"
Focusing his eyes on her face, he smiled. It was an angel. “Hey."
"Hey. Are you okay?"
"Define okay?"
She smiled. “You have a nasty cut on your head. It looks pretty bad. I don't think it needs stitches though."
"Hmm...” Devin mumbled as his eyes closed again. “What happened?"
"I don't know,” she said. “It got dark, and when you never came back from the pool, I got worried. I called your name and when you didn't answer, I went looking for you. I found you on the path, face down in the dirt."
Devin sighed lightly as the details came back to him. No way was he going to tell her a damn squirrel was the cause of this. “How'd I get back here?"
Holly snorted a laugh. “I dragged you back."
"Dragged me?” Devin said with widened eyes. “Literally?"
"Yes,” she grinned. “And it wasn't easy. It took me twenty minutes to get your ass back up here."
He stared at her, watching her rewet a towel in the bowl of water sitting on the coffee table before turning back to him. When she locked eyes with him, her cheeks reddened.
"Thank you,” he said.
She blushed brighter. “You're welcome,” she said. “Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Devin looked down over his body and remembered his foot. “Twisted my ankle."
"Which one?” Holly asked, looking toward his bare feet.
"Right."
Holly scooted to the foot of the couch and lifted the bottom of his pants leg. “It's a little blue. Are you sure it's not broke?"
"No,” Devin told her as he scratched the side of his neck. “Hurts bad enough though."
Holly looked up at him briefly before reaching out for his ankle. The slightest touch and he was yelling.
"Sorry."
"Just leave it be,” Devin spat out between clenched teeth. “Fucking thing hurts enough without you poking at it."
"Um, do you need anything?” she asked him quietly.
"A sponge bath would be great,” Devin smirked as he scratched his arm. “I feel like I rolled in hay."
"Your neck is pretty red,” Holly told him. “But the sponge bath? Not happening."
Devin grinned before his eyes once again became heavy.
"You look like shit,” Holly said. “I'll let you get some sleep."
Devin opened his eyes and grabbed her arm. “No. Stay with me."
Holly offered him a tiny smile and nodded her head, settling herself back on the floor in front of the sofa. She watched his eyes close again, and looked at the cut on his head.
It didn't look nearly as bad now as when she first found him. It had stopped bleeding and there was nothing but an angry red mark marring his skin.
Finding him in the woods had scared the shit out of her. Face down in the dirt, wearing nothing but his jeans.
Every horrible thought she could imagine flew through her mind, each one worse than the first, and she was running to him with her heart in her throat.
She'd called his name and tried rousing him to no avail before grabbing his arms and pulling him back to the cabin.
It didn't take him long to come to once settling him on the sofa and she felt the tension coiled in her neck release an instant later.
She sat with him for half an hour, studying his face before finally standing and clearing away the water and towels she'd used to see to his cuts.
He appeared to be sleeping, with no signs of apparent pain, and she switched the lights off. When the room was dark and nothing but the flickering light from the fire illuminated the room, she settled into the chair opposite the sofa.
Long minutes were spent memorizing every nuance of his face. The curve of his shoulders, the small dips and valleys on his abdomen and Holly felt herself blush before raking her gaze back to his face.
Her pulse quickened when she saw Devin looking at her.
"Like what you see?"
She looked away, embarrassed, and he laughed.
"What are you doing here?” he asked.
"You asked me to stay,” she said. “Change your mind already?"
"No,” Devin grinned. “I mean, what are you doing here. Alone on the side of a mountain."
"Oh,” Holly laughed. “My friend, Roxy, planned a vacation for us and this was it. She's a lawyer and got tied into a case at the last minute. She couldn't make it."
"So, you came anyway?"
"Not exactly. She was supposed to meet me here. She was in Chicago on business and was going to leave from there and come here. She called me when the shuttle dropped me off saying she couldn't make it."
"How long are you here?"
"Two weeks,” Holly said.
He nodded his head, moving his foot and grimacing before settling back down.
"What about you?"
"Forced isolation,” Devin grinned.
"Forced?"
"Yeah, my manager sprang me from rehab with the condition I had to hole up here for a month with no outside distractions.” He grinned, looking up at her with half lidded eyes. “He'd have a heart attack if he knew you were here."
"Good thing he doesn't then,” Holly laughed.
"He'd have me thrown back in there for sure."
An onslaught of questions rattled through Holly's mind and she bit her tongue to keep them from spilling out. His life was none of her business. She had no right to ask but it didn't stop her from wanting to know every sordid detail.
"Alcohol."
"What?” Holly asked.
Devin grinned. “I can almost see the questions floating over your head."
"Sorry,” she said. “There's just so much written about you in the papers its hard to know what's truth and what's just lies."
"Lies,” Devin said. “Most of it, anyway. My problems with alcohol were mostly true, though."
"And the band,” she asked, quietly.
"Some of that was based on truth. Luke and Mick were ready to head off on their own if I didn't straighten my shit up and Christian ... well, Christian just does what the other two say to do so..."
He yawned, his eyes fluttering. “Why don't you get some sleep,” Holly said. “You'll be good as new in the morning."
He grunted something unintelligible and Holly watched him for a few more minutes before standing and making her way to the stairs.
She looked back down at him, smiling. That was probably the first conversation they'd had that didn't involve yelling or sexual advances.
Her smile grew, her gaze sweeping his form before she sighed.
He really was pretty to look at and now she knew that underneath that rude exterior was a man she would love to know more about.
* * * *
"Fuck!"
Holly opened her eyes and sighed as the previous morning played over for her. Loud, obscene words filled the cabin as Devin ranted, about what, she had no clue.
Crawling from the bed, she walked to the stairs and looked down. “Have you ever tried not acting like an insane person in the mornings?"
"Fuck off!"
Her eyes widened as she gaped at him. “Excuse me?"
"I said: Fuck. Off.” Devin yelled up to her.
Her blood boiled hot. “You are the biggest asshole I have ever met!” Holly started down the stairs, never taking her eyes off of him. He turned his head to her and the look he shot her caused her to pause.
The previous night played in slow motion in her mind's eye and her last thought before going to bed was erased instantly. The sweet guy she'd talked to last night was gone. The asshole was back.
She snarled her lip at him, rolling her eyes and continued down the stairs. He was leaning on the side of the sofa, she noticed, and when she reached the bottom of the steps, she stopped, crossing her arms over her chest. “Where are you going?"
"To take a piss. Not that it's any concern of yours,” he spat.
Holly watched him, noticing the grimace on his face when he tried to take a step. His right leg gave out and she held back a smile as he cursed and hit his knees. “You know, all you have to do is ask me nicely and I would help."
Devin looked over at her and growled in response. “I don't need your help."
"Oh, is that so?” Holly asked. “Well, by all means, go about your business.” She walked past him on her way to the kitchen and could hear him mumble under his breath. She hid her smile as his cursing got louder before she heard him whisper her name.
Turning to face him she couldn't help but smile. He was now on his hands and knees and his face was completely red. “Did you need something, Devin?"
She watched him for long moments, his face turning bright red before he said, “Can you help me up?"
"What was that?” Holly asked, putting a hand to her ear as she smiled. “I didn't quite hear you."
He swore under his breath, turning his head to look at her. “Can you help me?” he shouted before looking back at the floor. “Irritating little bitch."
Holly's eyes widened as she heard his whispered comment before she grinned. “Now Devin. I know you didn't just call me a bitch, did you? Because that would be one sure way to end up in the floor for the rest of the day."
"Christ woman, can you stop your blathering for one fucking second and help me off the floor before I piss myself!"
With a grin, Holly walked over to him and grabbed his arm. She helped him stand, and walk back around the couch, letting him fall onto it amidst more colorful words.
Heading to the kitchen she searched the cabinets until she found what she was looking for. Walking back to the couch, she grabbed the blanket he had thrown in the floor, threw it on his lap, and held her hand out.
"What?” Devin asked, stretching his arm and taking the jar she held out to him.
"For your little problem,” she smiled, glancing at his crotch.
Devin looked down when she did before looking at the jar. “You want me to take a piss in a jar?"
She smiled. “I'm not helping you use the bathroom, if that's what you were thinking."
"It's not like you haven't seen it,” he grinned.
"Seeing it is one thing. Standing there while you ... well, that's completely different. You go in the jar or your pants. Your choice."
"Suit yourself, princess."
Holly didn't like the look in his eyes and knew her little plan had just taken a major turn. When he snatched the lid from the jar and grabbed the waistband of his jeans, she yelped as he snapped all the buttons on them.
She got a small glimpse of him before she turned around. “Jesus, Devin, I gave you the blanket to cover up with."
He laughed while taking care of his business. “Hard to take aim when I can't see what I'm doing."
Holly bit the side of her cheek and walked to the kitchen. She opened the cabinets and grabbed the first thing she found. She could still hear him laughing and rolled her eyes as she reached into the drawer for a spoon.
"So, you gonna empty this or just make me stare at it all day?"
Holly turned and smiled, walking back to the living room. Holding her hand out, she took the jar from him and held out the bowl she'd brought him.
"What's this?” Devin asked as he took it from her.
"Breakfast."
He stared down into the bowl. The cold cereal she'd fixed him caused a smile to curve her lips. Colorful floating rings swam in milk and Holly was half tempted to try and fix bacon and eggs for herself.
She saw him raise one brow as he looked back up at her. “Breakfast? What am I? Four?"
"If the shoe fits,” she grinned, walking across the room and out the front door.
"Let me guess,” Devin said when she walked back inside. “I get to watch you eat bacon and eggs this morning?"
She laughed. “No."
"No?” Devin grinned. “You can't tell me this whole morning hasn't been some twisted little payback on your part."
"I'm not the one who did a nose dive in the forest,” Holly smiled, walking to the sink and washing her hands. “You managed that one all by yourself. As for your breakfast? That's all you'll be getting from me. You want something better, fix it yourself."
Devin watched her pull another bowl from the cabinet, reaching for the cold cereals that lined the shelf. He sat quietly and just stared at her before it finally dawned on him why the cabinets were so full of heat and serve foods. He chuckled and said, “You can't cook."
Holly turned her head and returned the smile. “No, I can't."
"Well, this is just beautiful,” Devin laughed. “I guess it really did burn your ass watching me eat a nice, warm breakfast while you munched on the best the Captain could offer."
Holly laughed, sitting at the island bar and started in on her own breakfast. She looked over at him and the look on her face was too smug. She wasn't telling him something. When it dawned on him, his eyes widened.
"Did it finally catch up with that pee brain of yours?"
"You cannot possible expect me to eat Ravioli for every fucking meal!"
"Well, I could just let you starve,” she grinned. “Not that it would take much."
Devin snorted a laugh. “Don't go throwing stones, darling. That ass of yours is barely even a handful,” he lied.
"I've never had any complaints."
"Yeah, and I suppose you've had them just lined up around the block, yeah?"
"No, that's more your style,” Holly grinned. “I watch TV. I've seen all those ho bags that line up just to touch you. Absolutely pathetic."
Devin chuckled as she rolled her eyes and continued to eat her breakfast. He leaned forward, placing the bowl of cold cereal on the coffee table before reaching up and scratching his stomach. Red blotches covered his skin and the more he scratched it, the more it itched.
"Um, Holly?"
"Yes,” she said, standing and walking to the sink to rinsed her bowl.
"Can you come here and take a look at this?"
She turned to look at him and laughed. “To look at your crotch? I don't think so!"
Devin rolled his eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I have a rash."
"A rash?"
"Yes, a rash,” Devin sighed before reaching up and scratching his neck. “Been itching like crazy all night."
She crossed the room and looked down at him. “Jeez ... what did you do?"
Devin looked at the red splotches covering his stomach. “How the hell should I know?” he said.
"Stop scratching it,” she said as she took a step closer to him.
"I told you I needed a shower,” Devin said,
looking down at himself. “It probably wouldn't have been this bad if you would have helped me."
Holly shook her head. “Well, getting you to the bathroom isn't a problem, Devin, but you can barely stand on your own. There is no way in hell I'm going to help you shower."
He turned his head to her and grinned. “You might like it."
"I doubt that."
He laughed when she averted her eyes. She was lying. “So, what do you think it is?"
"What? I look like a doctor to you?” Holly asked. “Could be anything."
Devin sighed before leaning his head back on the sofa and closing his eyes. “Why does my life suck so bad?"
"Because you're an asshole and have no manners?"
Devin opened one eye, turning his head to look at her. “You're not nearly as cute as you think you are."
"I don't think I'm cute at all,” Holly grinned. “Just honest."
Devin watched her walk to the stairs before he sighed again. The way things were going, he'd be completely nuts before the month was up. First his crazy ex, the court battles, the trouble with the band ... now this. What would be next?
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 6
Holly made her way back down the steps and looked over at Devin as she reached the bottom. He was lounging against the back of the couch with his legs stretched out in front of him. His eyes were closed and she took a minute to look him over.
He was still only wearing the jeans she had found him in and she reminded herself to go back to the hot spring and retrieve his shirt and boots. Red, angry looking splotches covered his chest and arms and she rolled her eyes when he reached up and scratched the side of his neck. “You keep scratching at that and it'll only get worse."
"Yeah, well I don't have much choice seeing how you aren't going to bathe me,” he grinned before opening his eyes to look over at her.
Holly bit back a smile before tossing him the bottle of cream she had retrieved from her suitcase. “Put this on. It'll help with the itch."
"What is it?” Devin asked, reaching beside him and grabbing the small white tube.
