Despite
her burning thirst, Caitlin struggled her way to a seated position. Fighting
the light-headedness and nausea, she attempted to swing her legs to the side of
the bed. A sharp pain in her thigh tore a strangled cry from her throat and the
black lump suddenly moved. She truly didn't want to stick around and find out
if the blob were her assailant or her savior, and gulping back the sob,
determined to escape, she grasped the tube running to the IV in her hand and
gave a hard yank, pulling the needle all the way out in a smooth glide as blood
welled at the site.
She
slid to the side of the bed and placed her feet flat on the floor, standing and
testing her weight on the injured leg. Thinking she'd manage, she glanced
toward the still sleeping form and panting hard against the burn through her
leg she turned toward the door. One. Two. Three steps forward and then strong
arms gripped her from behind and yanked her back just as all strength faded and
her knees buckled.
"Hey,
little lady, just where do you think you're going?" a gravelly voice
teased her ear.
"Let
me go!" she struggled, kicking her good leg backward and connecting with
the solid leg of her captor, smiling inwardly as an 'omph,' escaped from
his lips with a brush of warm breath.
"Calm
down! You're safe," the man nearly growled, his arm pulling her tighter to
the heat of his chest. A heat she remembered from the forest.
Safe.
She was safe. All the fight left her suddenly and she drooped in his arms, her
energy depleted.
"There
now, that's better."
She
felt his arm snake behind her legs and then she was lifted against that strong,
masculine warmth once again and a feeling of relaxation overwhelmed her as she
drew in his scent. Musky and spicy, with a hint of wet dog. Normally the wet
dog smell would have her retching, but on him it seemed right, calming. Giving
in to the calmness she felt washing over her, she relaxed as he tucked her back
into the bed, tsking at the fact that her needle now dripped fluid onto the
floor.
"Thirsty,"
she gasped, trying once again to lick her dry lips.
"If
you promise to be a good girl and stay there, I'll get you some water." He
flashed a stern look in her direction.
She
nodded, feeling oddly contrite at the thought that she had upset this man. She
watched him closely as he crossed the room, his movements lithe and smooth, the
flex of his back muscles as he lifted the water flask and poured clear liquid
into a blue plastic cup. She admired his broad shoulders as his midnight-black
hair brushed the tips of his shoulder blades. Following downward, she visually
caressed his tapered waist and the jean-clad tight ass that lead his long legs
down into black-skinned cowboy boots. Cowboy boots? In the snow? In a hospital?
Weird. She dropped her gaze as he turned around, looking at him shyly from
beneath her lashes.
"Here
you go, sweetness," the burly man drawled out, his voice low, almost
sensual.
"Thank
you." She accepted the water gratefully, placing the straw in her mouth.
She drew a long sip of the icy cool wetness, luxuriating in the feel of it
sliding down her parched, raw throat.
"Not
too much, now," he chastised, leaning over to slip the cup from her grasp.
"You'll make yourself sick, and until Nick comes in to check your wounds,
I'm on duty. Nothing is gonna happen to you on my watch." The firm set of
his jaw made her smile at its sternness.
"Nick?"
"My
partner here at the clinic."
"So
it is a medical facility, then." She visibly relaxed, leaning her head
back into the pillows, feeling more at ease and suddenly overcome by fatigue.
"Erm...in
a manner of sorts, yes."
Too
tired to question the odd response, she let her eyes drift shut, her lashes
brushing her cheeks as she yawned. "Sleepy," she mumbled.
Brushing
her curly dark locks away from her dirt-smudged forehead, he crooned, "No
doubt. You've had quite a day, I'm sure. You rest, I'll be here."
Caitlin
dozed to the feel of his hand caressing her hair, her cheek, the side of her
neck, his fingers whispering over the shell of her ear.
"Sleep
well, little one." She heard him breathe huskily over his prisoner as the
darkness claimed her.
