“Clay, I want you. Now and forever. But not like this.”
I lifted my hand to show him the blood. He closed his eyes against the sight and maybe against what he knew I would say next.
“I love you, Clay. And I don’t want you hurt by it.”
I leaned up and kissed him gently to take the sting from my words.
“Reach out to Winifred so she can fix you again. It’s not sexy to bleed all over your partner.”
He fell to the side with a groan.
WINIFRED…
Clay’s mind touched mine as I watched Olivia slowly sit on the bed across from Michelle.
Winifred, I’m bleeding again. I may have torn a few of the stitches.
What happened?
Gabby was finally ready.
Ah.I didn’t say anything further. Instead, I picked up my supply bag.
“I need to check on Clay. Perhaps the two of you would like to see if the hotel offers a breakfast?”
“Sure,” Michelle said, getting out of bed. “I’ll just use the bathroom real quick.”
While Michelle walked to the bathroom, I slipped out the door and hurried down the hall. Gabby opened the door on the first knock. Blood painted the hem of her shirt. She stepped aside and let me in without a word of explanation.
Clay lay on the bed, slightly at an angle. The scent of arousal clogged the air.
“Gabby, honey, Michelle and Olivia are going to check our breakfast options. Perhaps you’d like to go with them?” I said.
“Yeah. Sure. I’m just going to wash up and change real quick.” She hurried to shut herself in the bathroom.
“How many stitches do you think you tore?” I asked Clay, approaching the bed.
“I can’t really feel it.”
I tilted my head in concern until he clarified.
“Other parts hurt worse.”
I patted his shoulder and peeled back the first bandage. Several of the stitches had torn into the skin, but not completely out. The bathroom door opened, and Gabby left with a soft farewell.
Clay sighed but held still as I checked the other gashes, which seemed about the same.
“No more stitches needed. But you need to keep your distance from Gabby for the rest of today. Sam should probably stay with you two tonight, too.”
“You’re killing me.”
I chuckled.
“You’ve been patient for so long. Hold on for a few more days. Try to rest. And avoid cold showers. They’re not good for the stitches.”
He closed his eyes and threw his arms over his face. I left the room and my humor quickly vanished. Clay wasn’t the only male suffering because of a Mate. I walked a few doors down to Jim and Olivia’s room.
When I knocked, Sam answered the door.
