Familiar Strangers

by Standifer, Allie

  A wide grin split his normally somber face. “Honey, just show me a dragon to slay or a demon to vanquish.”

  Regin couldn’t seem to manage anything more than a weak frown. He watched her mentally assess her body’s damage. Whatever conclusion she reached hadn’t made her happy. “Just give me some drugs and the head of the person who did this to me.”

  Galen whipped around to face her. “What are you talking about?” His heart sped up, but it was the only indication his body revealed of nerves.

  “Galen, right now my head is pounding in rhythm with a fast salsa and my stomach is doing its best too keep up the swirling moves. Every time I try taking deep breaths to slow the dance down, the world goes whoops-a-daisy,” she frowned at him, her expression showing she thought her injuries were somehow his fault. “I want drugs, very strong ones, the ones people shoot elephants with.” She stopped to take another deep breath, trying hard not to let the pain show on her face before continuing. “Next, I want the severed body parts of whoever used the baseball bat on my head and back.”

  Galen kept his mouth shut, knowing it was better to saying nothing than end up with both his feet lodged between his teeth.

  “It doesn’t have to be neat,” she assured, wincing at each word spoken. “Just a severed finger, toe, ear, belly button—nothing dramatic.”

  He wanted to laugh. He did nothing but stare at the strange bloodthirsty woman bleeding on his grandfather’s favorite couch. She had to be nuts, he decided. The lump on her head had caused severe brain damage and she’d be dead by morning.

  “Let me make sure I understand you.” He paused, trying to gather his thoughts. “You want me to shoot you with an elephant tranquilizer, then bring you the severed body parts of a dead man?” His tone told her how ridiculous he thought her demands were.

  One eye slit half way open. He could see her temper brew. “Matthews, don’t try and be a funny man. You don’t have it in you. Just be a good boy and do as I ask.” She lifted a blood-covered hand to shoo him out of the room.

  Galen laughed. The woman was unbelievable. She was in the middle of a hurricane, bleeding from small cuts all over her body, and she was still trying to give orders.

  “Since you’re not up to snuff, so to speak.” He managed to hide his smile behind a rough cough. “I think I’ll put myself in charge for the time being.”

  Slowly, he watched the second eye pry itself open. “I really, really don’t like you.”

  Galen’s head shook in amusement. “Well now, that’s a damn shame because I’m beginning to think you’re the best thing since boiled crawfish.” He turned his back and said over his shoulder, letting the humor ring in his voice. “Why don’t you assess the damage? There’s a shower through the door on your right. If you think you can manage.” He was more than willing to provide any help Regin required and knew the thought was written plainly on his face.

  Galen didn’t give her the chance to reply. “I have to clean up the mess you left in your room and board the windows back up. Then I’ll come and check on you.”

  “Just bring my black bag down,” Regin advised, trying to look threatening but making him want to kiss the pout of her lush lips.

  Galen knew where those lips would lead and he quickly retreated before the temptation proved too much.

  ****

  “That man is entirely too cheerful for my

  taste,” Regin complained as she gingerly sat up and looked around. Every major part of her body ached. She knew none of the cuts were life threatening, but the man didn’t have to enjoy her pain.

  She was in the library Regin guessed, with its rich English hunting style décor. The dark cherry wood desk and credenza blended softly with the hunter green leather sofa and matching curtains.

  Carefully she got to her feet, cursing the dizziness that assailed her once she straightened. If she looked as bad as she felt, there was no way Galen should have been laughing at her. He should have picked up the phone and dialed 911.

  The sight of her torn, blood soaked clothes and scratched, swollen face made her wonder how Galen could have given her any look much less a lecherous one. She looked... She peered closely at her face in the mirror above the marble sink. Well, she looked like a woman who’d battled a hurricane and lost. “Damn, this really isn’t my year,” Regin muttered to her reflection.

  With a sigh and many careful maneuvers, she managed to shed what was left of her torn jeans and T-shirt. Regin set the water temperature as hot as she could stand it, knowing the heat would sting but clean the cuts. Galen could get her ice later for the swelling.

  Regin bit back a hiss of pain when the pulsing water touched her battered body from all angles at once. “The man lives to torture me,” she decided as she saw the seven showerheads located along the walls. One she had been prepared for, but seven was asking too much out of her abused body.

  The mind numbing pain had changed into a dull throb as she rested her wet head against the smooth cold wall. She could feel the various muscles cramp and release in her lower back and legs. She must have put more strain on them than she realized.

  The warmth of the shower revitalized her enough to finish bathing, rinse her hair twice to make sure all the glass came out, and reluctantly turn the water off. She took her first real glimpse of her surroundings while stepping out of the shower. Like the rest of the house, the bathroom was the picture of Old World elegance mixed with modern luxury. The sink, shower, and whirlpool were all made out of expensive green and white swirled marble which perfectly matched the marble in the floor.

  But the room didn’t fit the master of the house she mused, running her hand along the heated towel rack. It was too quiet and elegant for Galen. His room would be filled with brash and bold colors. His bed would be a huge king with feather soft mattresses that would encourage her body to sink into it when he leaned over pressing hot kisses along her neck and breasts, slowly making his way down to her—

  “Need any help?”

  Regin’s head slammed back against the door she’d been leaning against, causing an involuntary cry of pain.

  Galen immediately pushed open the door. “Have you been too stubborn to ask for help?” When the door pushed in, Regin was flung against the sink she’d admired earlier, making a cracking sound as her hipbone hit and tears surged to her eyes.

  Regin saw Galen’s eyes search her body quickly trying to X-ray her with his bare eyes.

  “Where does it hurt the most? You need to sit and get your feet up.” Without waiting for a reply, he quickly leaned down placing one arm behind her knees and the other around her back. He swung her easily into his arms and headed for the nearest bed.

  “Galen.” “Hush, Regin, everything will be fine.” He rubbed his chin against the top of her head. “Really, Galen—” she tried again. “Regin, lie back and shut up. I’ll take care of you. Everything will be fine you’ll see.” She had almost given up hope of ever reaching the bedroom when his foot pushed open the door. “Now the first thing we have to do is clean the cuts and bandage them. Then I’ll bring you up some tea. My mom always drank tea when she was upset, so I think it’s good for your nerves. Then a couple—”

  “Galen.”

  “I have bandages in the—” “Galen!” she screamed in his ear as he deposited her on the wide bed.

  “What?” His voice roared in frustration. Galen’s eyes dropped down to where Regin lay gazing furiously back at him. Arms crossed and body curled tightly away from him.

  “Shit.” He knew exactly why she tried to gain his attention all the way up the stairs.

  Regin Neff lay in front of him in all her glorious beauty, naked as the day she was born. Even worse for Galen—she was naked on his damn bed. The same bed that had fostered so many erotic dreams he’d almost come in his sleep. And now, there she was looking exactly like one of his dreams brought to life.

  If ever there were a moment for quick thinking, this would it. Come on, man, he thought desperately, you’ve fa
ced terrorists in back alleys without a weapon and weren’t half as afraid as you are now.

  But then again, those men hadn’t looked half as deadly as the woman shooting daggers at him. He knew in the way of all men that in times such as these never let her see you sweat.

  He raised an eyebrow and said as calmly as his racing heart and heated blood would allow, “Yes?” What the hell had been the question to begin with?

  Regin looked up from her position on the bed with a scathing remark ready. But the expression faded from her eyes when she looked up at him. Galen watched her melt. There was no other word for it. “Ah...” He saw she was grasping for words and had to turn her head in order to speak. “If you’d leave the bag, I think I can manage to dress myself.”

  Galen shook his head, trying to dislodge the erotic thoughts as they slammed around his brain. He glanced down at his feet, surprised to find her black leather bag there. He must have grabbed it at the same time he grabbed Regin. He didn’t remember. He was doing great to remember to breathe.

  He cleared his throat before attempting to speak. “Sure...ah...no problem.” He turned and walked to the door before halting to speak over his shoulder. “There are bandages in the bathroom; use them. Take care of the front and I’ll check for any on your back. Ten minutes,” he ordered and shut the door firmly behind him.

  ****

  Regin simmered as she thought of Galen’s behavior. Look who thinks he’s General Patton? The man had no business giving her orders. She would clean and bandage both sides of her body without his help. Thank you very much.

  Slowly Regin pushed herself off the bed, wincing as pain rushed back. In the shower, she’d examined the damage as best she could and knew the majority weren’t as bad as they could have been. But there were some deeper cuts she could feel on her arms and tops of her thighs. Nothing she could do about them but spread on ointment, cover them with bandages, and hope for the best.

  She carefully picked up her duffel bag, unzipped the worn leather, and fished out her first aid kit. Inside Regin had stuffed all sorts of medical supplies for the most innocent scrapes to worst-case scenarios. “Good thing,” she told herself, “or I’d have ended up using whatever supplies Mr. Charm has in his bathroom. Somehow, I’m not up to exploring his ninety-one flavors of condoms.”

  Regin set out all her supplies. Then coated on the cream and placed bandages over the cuts still bleeding, wondering how she was going to stretch her arm around enough to take care of the ones on her neck. No matter how hard she tried or maneuvered, she couldn’t reach the cuts and, judging by the wetness dripping down her once clean back, all the tugging and struggling had caused the wounds to open up again.

  There was no other choice. She was going to have to ask for Galen’s help. Either that or risk bleeding to death during the night. Still she argued with herself for another five minutes before putting on a soft black cotton shirt and baggy black running shorts. She left her feet bare, knowing she would look more ridiculous coming down the stairs dressed with socks and tennis shoes.

  Regin fervently prayed he wouldn’t notice or comment on her lack of undergarments. She tried putting on her sports bra and underwear, but immediately took them right back off. The material rubbed against her injured skin. It was too much pressure. Propriety simply wasn’t worth it right now. She seriously doubted Galen Matthews would find her wet hair slung back in a pony tail, shirt, and shorts so enticing he’d rip the clothing from her body to discover she wasn’t wearing anything beneath.

  He didn’t strike her as the type of man who seduced women resembling teenagers. She already knew the hot mamma type he went for. “Not that it matters to me one way or another. Whatever Galen Matthews sleeps with is none of my business. I couldn’t care less.” The words came out hollow and forced.

  She gathered her things and walked out of his room. Regin couldn’t help but notice the churning feeling in her stomach when she thought of Galen sharing this incredible room with another woman. If she hadn’t known herself so well, she would have called it jealousy.

  Regin almost laughed at the absurd thought as she carefully walked down the stairs to the library where Galen waited.

  He was a calm, controlled adult. He was sensitive enough to understand she didn’t want him pawing her. Not that he’d asked, but she was sure he was aware just the same.

  Yes, she assured herself again. Galen was a mature respectful adult. There wasn’t any reason to be afraid of him. They would calmly discuss the weather and the damage in her bedroom. Then a polite goodnight and that would be that. They were both grown adults, not teenagers at the mercy of wayward hormones. He would be reasonable and considerate.

  Regin was feeling so much better about her situation that she had a soft smile on her face as she rounded the corner into the library.

  The smile lasted all of three seconds. The three seconds it took Galen’s laughter to reach her ears. Without another thought or word spoken, she spun on her heel leaving him rocking in the recliner holding onto his sides.

  He reached her at the winding staircase. “Wait,” he huffed out, trying to recover his breath. “I wasn’t laughing at you,” he promised, trying to look as sincere as possible and failing miserably.

  Regin didn’t bother to reply. She cursed silently in her head. The man obviously had been born with the intelligence of a mushroom and the manners of a pigeon.

  She tried removing Galen’s fingers from her arm, but he shook his head not wanting to risk the chance of her running away again. “I’m sorry. I really am. But in my defense, I’ve never seen a beautiful woman covered from head to toe in Snoopy bandages.” And to Regin’s dismay, his laughter came bubbling up once again.

  Chapter Twelve

  “That’s what was so funny.” She couldn’t believe it. The man nearly wet himself laughing over a cartoon character? “You’ve never seen a Snoopy bandage before?” He really hadn’t called her beautiful, had he?

  Galen’s gray eyes danced with repressed humor as he nodded his head and tugged her back to the library. “I’ve seen the little guy lots of places, but never been so jealous of him before. Is there any place he isn’t stuck to you?”

  He was making her feel embarrassed. She could feel the heat sneaking up to her cheeks as she sank into the soft leather sofa. A crack of lighting split the sky and jolted her out of her embarrassment.

  He was beside her instantly; his manner at once concerned and gentle. “Easy now, Che, it’s only a little lighting, nothing that can hurt you in here.”

  She wasn’t going to be soothed so easily after his laughter. “Oh really?” One eyebrow rose in question. “Might want to tell that to the window that crashed into me.”

  “Wasn’t the window that was the problem, it was the branch that broke the window,” he corrected her.

  “Branch, smanch. It broke through wood and glass,” she told him, desperate to hide the tremor of her hands and the break in her voice.

  Galen noticed it just the same and leaned one long tanned hand over her to clasp hers warmly. “You’re right,” he agreed. “It was a branch, it was big as hell, and I’d still be jumpy if I were you.”

  She looked at him with distrust and suspicion. “You would?”

  He shrugged a large shoulder. “Sure, why not? Not every day a limb comes at you from nowhere.”

  “It didn’t come from nowhere, it came from the window you covered yesterday,” she argued. Her eyes lit up with the challenge of battle.

  “Must not have secured the plywood as well as I thought,” he said as he absently rubbed his jaw.

  “Does that happen often? You only thinking you did something well?” she taunted.

  Galen inched closer so that his breath blew gently against her lips when he spoke. “I do everything well, Regin.”

  Regin could feel a familiar heat brush across her body, tightening her muscles and making her nipples stiffen into sharp points of need. The man hadn’t even touched her and she was ready to rip off hi
s clothes. She leaned away from him and the temptation of his body.

  The light in his eyes showed he was enjoying the effect he was having on her. Galen forced his chest closer until his shirt brushed the aching points of her nipples. Regin swallowed a groan, determined not to show any reaction to his movements. To show weakness would only encourage him and the last thing she wanted was Galen encouraged. It was hard enough resisting him when he wasn’t trying to melt her bones, but God help her when he focused all his considerable attention on her.

  Trying to regroup and regain space, she deliberately set out to insult him. “Do you make a habit of lying to yourself? Or do others do it for you?” Her voice was cold and taunting just as she intended. So why did her heart ache at the sudden and unexpected pain in his eyes.

  She wanted to swallow them back, apologize and tell him she didn’t mean them.

  The glimmer of pain she glimpsed was quickly masked and his habitual cool smile and unreadable eyes taunted her. “Was that a challenge? I’d be more than happy to demonstrate my...ah...abilities to your extreme satisfaction.”

  Regin pushed against his chest, but Galen wouldn’t budge. “I don’t want a demonstration or any thing else from you.” She pushed harder, trying not to notice the heat flowing from his skin through the thin material of his shirt. Why had she touched him? It made her desperate to discover the skin under the material. Desperation gave her courage to meet his eyes. It was a mistake.

  While Regin had been concentrating on him, Galen had been steadily advancing on her. His body had pushed flush against hers, his hands easily resting on either side of her head effectively pinning her between the sofa and his arms. He lowered his head brushing soft kisses along her hairline, her cheek, and jawbone.

  Feeling the warm heat of his mouth brush against her skin jerked Regin into action. She went limp, allowing her body to slide easily under his so she was reclining on the couch and out of Galen’s arms. She started to roll to the floor, but he pounced and pinned her beneath the hard length of his body before she could blink.