The look in her eyes begets no argument. “Go get some ice on that hip. I’m not taking them far today.”
The peach farm has several pastures, most of which are a five- or ten-minute walk from the barn. There’s a closer pasture we haven’t used since I’ve been here, and I assume that’s the one she means. I linger and she shoos me on. “Git. Go on home. There’s ice packs in the freezer for injuries. I’ll check on you when I come back this way.”
* * *
I’m sittingon an ice bag on the couch with a video game controller in my hand when there’s a soft knock at the cabin door.
“It’s open!” Caleb shouts, then sits up, trying to take me down inCall of Duty.
“Hi,” Darcy calls. “Came to check on the daredevil.” There’s a soft slap when her boots hit the linoleum by the door.
“He’s just a little bruised up,” Caleb says.
Darcy rounds the corner and covers her eyes. “Jesus! I don’t know how y’all play that stuff. It’s so violent.”
She turns her face behind her hands, looking me over. When her eyes land on my underwear, she jolts again and her cheeks match her red eyes. “I didn’t know I was interrupting a pajama party.”
Caleb cackles. “Jake’s peacocking for you pulling his peacock out like that.”
I loll my head at him. “It’s bigger than a pea. And my cock is not out. I’m covered. I just needed fewer layers for the ice. Shorts would have been too thick.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Darcy giggles. “I’m no EMT, but I’ve seen a bruise or two in my day. Mind if I take a look?”
My ass hurts like hell but I can’t help but crack jokes. “I was going to wait a little longer to show you the goods, boss, but if you insist.”
Darcy rolls her eyes and pads my way, kneeling next to the couch. She points at the leg of my boxer briefs. “May I?”
“Sure. Caleb, pause it.” I shift off my ice pack and Darcy gently peels up the leg. I hiss as the hem digs into the bruise. She jumps back, withdrawing her hands like I bit her. “Here. No need to be uptight about it.”
I lower the waistband, leaving my dick covered but one whole butt cheek out.
“Oh, geez, okay I guess someone’s not bashful,” she says. The bruise distracts her fast enough. Darcy’s brows lower and she whistles. “Oh, buddy, that’s a bad one. You sure it’s not broken?”
She presses a gentle finger around the edges and I squirm away from her. She attempts to soothe me by laying her other hand on my stomach, right where my hip flexors make a divot above my pelvis.
Dangerously close to the good stuff. I know she’s not thinking about that and I don’t want to draw her attention to it. She’ll freak. Plus, it feels nice to have her hands on me. Her fingertips brush the hair trailing down the center of my stomach.
“I’ll live,” I say.
She lets out a sympathetic whimper and shakes her head. “You shouldn’t work tomorrow if you’re sore.”
With tender precision, she slips her fingers under my underwear’s waistband and pulls it back into place. This time, she seems to realize where her hands have been. Her cheeks flame again, her eyes downcast.
“It’s just my ass, boss,” I say. “You know I’m not afraid to show you my ass.”
I expect her to laugh a little at the joke, but her eyes cut to mine and her voice drops. “You scared me. I’m glad you’re okay.”
A tingle passes through me, something bone deep but undefined. My defenses are helpless against those big doe eyes. I want to hold her hand. I want her to stay right here. I want to holdher.
“I’m okay,” I assure her.
“Next time, you’ll tell somebody you’re going to ride, right? No more flying solo?”
“Yes, boss,” I say.
“Okay.” She presses her lips together until they’re white and stands. “I need to eat. I should get on home.”
Her stricken face from earlier returns and she stretches her jaw. I wonder what made her cry before I saw her. She’s clearly upset again. My chest aches thinking about Darcy going through some deeper turmoil. All I want to do is fix it.
