“Yes, sir,” Sandra replied.
“All right, you ready to get started?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mrs. O’Donnell, you can wait in the reception area. We should be about an hour. The corpsman will be happy to get you coffee or anything else you need.”
Donna rose and extended her hand. “Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be fine. I have my Kindle to keep me busy.” She turned to Sandra. “See you in an hour, baby.” Then she turned on her heel and left.
Lieutenant Brooks took the handles of her chair and began pushing her down the hallway. Decidedly uncomfortable with his hot presence behind her, she squirmed in her chair. This therapy was going to be torture in more ways than one. Officer. Lieutenant Brooks is an officer and therefore off limits, remember that. No matter how hot he looks in his uniform.
They turned into a large room that looked like a cross between a gymnasium and a medical office. What a strange combination, between the weight machine and stationary bikes, and all the workout equipment, sat computers, monitors and those awful tables you find in doctor’s offices. Lieutenant Brooks wheeled her up to one of the tables and locked the wheelchair.
“Here we go. Let’s get you up on the table.”
Oh crap! As the lieutenant lifted the footrests out her way, Sandra steeled herself to tell him the bad news. She pushed herself to a standing position with her good arm, balancing on her one good leg.
“I hate to say this, sir, but I’m not going to be able to get up on that table without assistance,” she mumbled.
Lieutenant Brooks shook his head. “Sorry, soldier. Don’t know what I was thinking. Not a problem.” He grabbed her about the waist and gently planted her fanny on the edge of the offending table.
Sandra gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”
“Not a problem. I’m going to remove your sling now.” His hands slid around her neck, tickling the fine hairs at her nape and sending shivers down her spine. When Sandra looked down at her uncovered arm she groaned, swollen and slightly discolored. Lovely!
“Relax your arm and extend it out straight if you can.”
Sandra complied, it ached, but it felt good too.
“How does that feel?”
“It aches a little, but it’s a good ache, Lieutenant.”
“We’re going to be working together for a long time, and getting pretty personal. In here you can call me Caleb, okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
Caleb laughed. “I can see we’ll have to work on that. We’re going to check mobility now. Raise your arm forward as far as you can, stop when it’s too painful.”
They repeated the exercise to the side and back. Sandra couldn’t lift her arm past ninety-degrees in any direction, and to the side not even close to the ninety-degree mark, Caleb pronounced that normal. However, the limited success frustrated Sandra.
He did a series of passive movement exercises with her. Gave her a print out of exercises to do at home, told her to come back on Wednesday, and that ended their session. That small bit exhausted Sandy. She felt like she’d run a marathon. Her shoulder screamed in pain and she wanted a bag of frozen peas and a pain pill. Her mother had her pain pills in her purse, and she definitely needed one before they made the trip home. The ice pack would have to wait, but damn, she felt worse than she did after the first day of boot camp.
“You did great for your first day.” Caleb said.
She faked a smile, wiping the sweat off her brow with her good hand. “Thanks, I think.”
“Next time wear your APFUs, you won’t get as overheated and movement will be easier.”
“Yes, sir. I mean Caleb.”
He transferred her back to her wheelchair and they headed for the reception area. Donna rose from her seat when she saw them.
“You look wiped out, baby,” she said.
“I am, Momma. I need a pain pill and a glass of water before we leave.”
Caleb walked around her chair and squatted down in front of her. “Did we overdo it?”
“I don’t think so, I’m just really tired and sore.”
“Okay. Well make sure to ice the shoulder good tonight, and if the pain gets too bad, or there is swelling or bleeding, call the hospital immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stood and nodded. “I’ll see you Wednesday. You can just come directly to the workout room.”
“I’ll be there.”
He patted her good shoulder and walked back down the hall. Her mother returned with a cup of water from the water cooler and the pain pill in her hand. Sandra gratefully swallowed the pill and thanked her.
“Let’s get out of here. I need to get home and ice this shoulder.”
“You got it, baby.”
Getting back into the car proved more difficult than it had been this morning. Every bone in Sandra’s body hurt, but she finally managed to cram her leg into the car and they were on their way home. As soon as the car began to move Sandra fell asleep.
Sandy sat in the recliner in the living room with her legs up and the frozen peas on her shoulder when her mother’s cell phone rang about seven pm. The pain pill had done its job and with the addition of icing down her shoulder she felt much better. She wished she didn’t have to guard the incision on her leg and she could soak in a nice hot tub.
Her mother’s conversation drifted to her.
“Yes this is Mrs. O’Donnell”
“Oh my goodness, thank you.”
“Yes, we’ll be back at the hospital on Wednesday, where can we pick it up?”
“Thank you so much, Sergeant.”
“You have a good night too”
Her mother came into the room and Sandra asked. “What was all that about?”
“It seems you dropped your phone in the hospital parking lot. That was a nice young Sergeant that found it. He saw my name in your phone listed as Mom and called me. He left the phone at the reception desk in the physical therapy department so we can pick it up on Wednesday.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it. It must have fallen out of my pants when I was trying to get in the car. I would be lost without my phone. That was so nice of him. Did you get his name? I’d like to thank him in person.”
“Yes, his name is Sergeant Zach Winters. He’s a CNA on the fourth floor where Physical therapy is. He was so sweet on the phone.”
“Maybe we could make him one of your chess pies as a thank you, Momma?”
“We could certainly do that.” Her mother laughed.
The next morning Sandra felt energized, she had a goal now, returning her mobility to normal, and she achieving it as fast as possible. As soon as she woke in the morning she began to perform the exercises Caleb had prescribed. It hurt, but as the old saying went, no pain, no gain.
Wednesday arrived with Sandra raring to go to her appointment. They left a half an hour early so that Sandy would have time to seek out Sargent Winters and deliver her thank you and her mother’s pie. She only hoped he would be on duty.
The same corpsman had duty at the reception desk and Sandy retrieved her phone and thanked the woman.
“Corpsman, could you tell me if Sergeant Winters is on duty today? I’d like to thank him in person for returning my phone.”
The Corpsman checked her computer and smiled. “Yes, he’s on duty. If you go to the main nursing station just down the hall to the left, they’ll be able to direct you to him.”
“Thank you.” Sandra gave her nod and a smile.
Her mother turned the wheelchair and headed down the hall. At the nurse’s station Sandra asked to speak to Sergeant Zach Winters. After about a five-minute wait, the god Zeus walked down the hall to the nurse’s station. Seriously, that’s the only way you could describe the man. What was it with this hospital? Did they have a hottie factor in their hiring department? You could only be hired here if you were panty melting gorgeous?
She had thought Caleb was something, but Zach put him to shame. His blazing blue eyes practically
glowed in his face, so handsome, it almost hurt to look at him. Ten o’clock in the morning and he already had a five o’clock shadow, giving him a rugged sexy look. His dark black hair, cut in a high and tight, bristled thickly and looked like it would curl if allowed to grow out. And he was huge! A bear of a man, and Sandy so loved bears. He had to be six foot six and two hundred and fifty pounds, every delectable inch of it muscle. Holy Hannah, as Momma would say.
Zach walked up to the nursing station not knowing what to expect. It was unusual for him to be called to the desk. They said he had visitors. He certainly wasn’t prepared for what he found. A vision of loveliness sitting in a wheelchair with a pie on her lap, and an older lady, who looked so much like her, it had to be her mother standing behind her.
The soldier in the wheelchair was in APFUs, not the most flattering of garments, but it couldn’t disguise her beauty. Her blazing red hair in the necessary military bun, but the color still shone with brilliant highlights of gold and orange. Her bright green eyes glowed with intelligence and compassion. Her skin the color of the palest cream that rose to the top of the barrel when milk separated and dotted with tiny angel kisses, as his momma called them, freckles, and he wanted to kiss every one. A sling covered one arm and an immobilizer held her right leg in place. That might make things difficult, but he could work around it. A health care worker could be creative after all. Now, he just had to figure out how he could ask her out with her momma standing right there.
He extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Zach Winters. What can I do for you lovely ladies?”
Sandra took his hand with her left one and gave an awkward shake. “Hi, Sergeant Winters, I’m Sergeant Sandra O’Donnell. I just wanted to thank you for returning my phone. I don’t know what I would have done without it. All my contacts are in there. Thank you so much. Momma baked you a pie. It’s her famous chess and I can attest it is amazing.” She extended the pie toward him.
Zach took the pie and set it on the nurse’s station. “Well, thank you so much. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I’ll have to run an extra five miles of P.T., but it will be worth it.” He shook her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Mrs. O’Donnell.”
“It was my pleasure, Sergeant.”
Zach stepped back and focused his attention on Sandra. “From the looks of you, I’d guess you’re here for physical therapy, am I right?”
“Got it on the first try,” she answered.
“Who’s your therapist?”
“Lieutenant Brooks.”
“Caleb? Really, He’s one of my best friends, don’t let him work you too hard.”
“Wow, it’s a small world. He seems like a good therapist. I won’t overdo it,” she said and could feel herself blushing.
Her mother leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I need a drink of water; I’ll be right back.”
When Mrs. O’Donnell stepped away Zach knew it was his time to strike. “So, I know you’re recuperating, I bet you haven’t been able to get out much. Would you like to go out to dinner with me this weekend? I know dancing is out of the question at the moment, but we could go somewhere and listen to some nice music, maybe downtown in Nashville?”
Zach watched the blush crawl across her face and she looked down at her lap. “I would like that, but I live about an hour from here, are you sure you want to drive that far?”
Zach knelt down in front of her and slid his hand under her chin, damn her skin was soft. He tipped her face up so she looked at him. “I have no problem driving any distance to see you, beautiful. Give me back that phone of yours and I’ll give you my number.”
Mutely Sandra handed him her phone. “Now, call me and then I’ll have your number.”
Sandra pressed the call button and Zach’s pants pocket began to ring. He retrieved his phone, answered the call and then hit end and saved the number. “I have to get back to work, but I’ll call you tonight.” God he wanted to kiss her, but that couldn’t happen here, so he settled for a smoldering look, and if he judged it correctly, it worked. He could see her nipples harden through the thin T-shirt, her breath quickened and if her blush got any darker she’d turn purple.
He gave her a wink and headed back down the hall.
Chapter Two
Caleb had given her wonderful news at the P.T. session. She could take off her sling around the house and use her arm as long as she didn’t overdo it. She still couldn’t use crutches because that would put too much strain on her shoulder, but she could use her hand to eat and perform other, um, personal activities. Thank you, Jesus! Using her arm more had helped reduce the swelling in her hand too. It definitely made her feel a little less like an invalid and a burden on her family. The biggest plus, she wouldn’t have to have her date cut her meat for her at dinner tonight.
A blazing smile cut across her face. She had a date. Not only hadn’t she been out of the house for weeks, she hadn’t been on a real date in over a year. Afghanistan was not exactly a hot bed of romance and getting involved in a romance with any of the men in her unit…a recipe for disaster.
Her panties had been wet ever since Zach Winters gave her the once over at the hospital. His eyes had slid down her body like honey sliding over a biscuit, warm and smooth, and touching every nook and cranny. She hoped tonight his hands would follow suit; would they be soft and gentle, or rough and calloused? A shiver sidled down her spine at the thought of finding out.
He had called her every night since their meeting and filled both her dreams and her nightly fantasy sessions with her battery operated friend. She’d had some great orgasms just thinking about Zach’s hands and mouth on her. She couldn’t wait to see how the real thing stacked up. He was a very naughty boy. She flashed back to their conversation last night and a dreamy smile lit her face.
Hello, little bit. What are you up to tonight?
Nothing much, as usual. Lying in bed and thinking of you.
Well I would hope thinking of me was something. Something good.
Mmm, definitely good.
Really? Tell me.
No, I don’t think so.
I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours.
Sandra giggled. You go first.
Okay. I’m lying in bed too. I’m naked, and I’m stroking my cock. I’m picturing your beautiful red curls falling across my lap. My hands guiding your head as you go down on me.
Sandra’s breathe quickened.
Oh my God, I can see it. What do you look like? Is your cock long and hard? Do the veins stand out? Is it fat and thick for me?
Baby it is so hard it’s a steal rod. A good ten inches, nice and thick. It’ll stretch you so good. I’ll make you scream my name as you come, ever and aver all night long.
She loved it when he talked dirty to her. She must be a naughty girl at heart.
Thank God, with the ability to use her arm she could mostly dress herself, because Momma did not need to see what she was going to be wearing under her dress tonight. Too bad the immobilizer on her leg prohibited a garter belt and thigh high stockings, she bet that would really rev his engine. But the tiny thong and French lace bra set she had picked out, in a striking shade of emerald green, would have to do the trick. She didn’t think he would be disappointed.
Sandra called to her mother. “Momma, I need to take a shower. Would you come in and wash my hair in a few minutes?” she still hadn’t mastered that task, as she couldn’t raise her arm higher than shoulder height.
“Sure, baby. Just call when you’re ready.”
Sandra wheeled herself into the bedroom and stripped. She slipped a plastic bag over her immobilizer, securing it tightly and ducked into the shower. A plastic bench had been placed inside the stall so she could sit in the shower and not worry about falling. Pulling the removable shower head down, she let the warm water run over her and then lathered up with honey vanilla body wash. It smelled incredible and she hoped Zach would like the scent on her body.
Her mother washed her hair and applied a leave-in conditioner. Sand
ra left it down to curl around her shoulders, having to always to contain it in the service, she loved to be able to let it flow free for once.
Sitting at her dressing table she applied light makeup, she wasn’t much of a makeup girl. A little mascara and some lip gloss. She chose an emerald green dress, to match her undergarments. It had a deep plunging neckline, and a gold belt that accentuated her slim waist, soft flowing sleeves that hid the scars on her shoulder and a full skirt that came to her knees, so she wouldn’t have to worry about flashing her thong when Zach helped her transfer from her wheelchair to a seat in the restaurant.
She would wear a flat gold sandal on her good foot, because a high heel would just be stupid with the immobilizer on the other foot. She needed to be able to maintain her balance and not make a fool of herself. A splash of vanilla scented perfume finished up her ablutions, and with a last glance in the mirror, she nodded. She looked pretty damn hot, if she did say so herself.
The doorbell rang promptly at six o’clock and Sandra rushed to wheel her chair to the door before her mom or dad could get to it. She didn’t need Daddy giving Zach the third degree before their date and scaring him off. Zach might be military, but her biker dad could be a little intimidating.
She opened the door and her mouth watered. Damn, the man had been fine in hospital scrubs, in low slug jeans that molded to his every curve and a western shirt with the top buttons undone to reveal a peak of the dark hair sprinkling his chest, he could give a girl a heart attack. Casually leaning against the doorframe he gave her a crooked grin and handed her a bouquet of wildflowers, bending down to plant a kiss on her lips.
Field Stripped: 15 Steamy Military Romances Page 79
