My head swam, my heart pinched with her words. She should feel nothing but beauty at all times.
I sensed she wanted to be kissed, she wanted to feel my lips on hers in a sensual kiss as much as I wanted to feel hers. I wanted to feel her in my arms and I watched her as I wrapped my arms around her and drew her slowly to me. Her eyes are gorgeous, I love the way her lashes fan out over her porcelain skin.
Gracie wanted to feel something good and I wanted to feel more than hate. Could I be her good? Could she take away my hate?
I ran a hand up the nape of her neck and threaded fingers through her loose curls.
“Your hair is so soft.” My lips were millimeters from her lips.
Her tongue darted out, she licked her lips before her top teeth bit into the bottom lip pulling the plump, soft pink flesh into its grip.
A low groan worked its way up and out of my body. Chills danced down my spine. The overheated room is burning with erotic need.
“We need to talk.”
I cleared my throat and she pulled back, sensual desire filled her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and my skin broke out into a sweat. It would be so easy to just take her here and now. Kiss her. Own her. But I can't, this was me, I was a fucking mess. I needed to find a way to let her in, to stop living with a ghost.
CHAPTER TEN
Gracie-May
Kaden and I jumped apart at the sound of Chris clearing his throat.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Chris’ voice was cool and I heard the underlying edge to it.
“No need to be sorry, we were um……”
“Gracie-may was just checking my pulse, Doc, been a bit jittery of late. This heart of mine has been a bit on the dodgy side lately, but I’m still alive, so that’s a bonus, aye?”
Kaden winked and I fought to stifle a laugh.
“Not what it looked like to me, but it’s your future, Kaden, that we need to plan. We need to discuss what's next for you and make sure you’re ready for it.”
Chris scowled at me, I felt I was being silently disciplined. He grudgingly accepted the file I hastily grabbed to hand to him.
I wasn’t sure it was the right time to talk about what I had organised. I had spoken with Trisha, the physiotherapist, and together we had made a plan about the best way to start rehabbing Kaden, with me being able to assist as much as possible.
The hospital was in the process of setting up a team of senior nurses who could be called on to assist with soldiers’ rehab and massage techniques. After discussing with Kaden that it was something I wanted to become involved with, he’d consented to allow me to work on his rehab to attain the hours I needed. An added advantage was the opportunity to get up close to his godly type body.
Kaden smirked. “Well, doc, I'm breathing, my heart's pumping and my pulse is A-Okay, so I'd say I'm good to go. Get rid of these casts, the last of the wires and monitors and there will be no holding me back. I’ll be out of here.”
I stood, Kaden reached out and ran his fingers over my thigh, sending a rush of wild fire through my body. It hummed in response to his touch, he knew the effect he had on me and was playing on it. He drove me crazy with the way he looked at me as I moved to the end of his bed to gather notes and the file Trisha had put together.
Chris glanced at me before returning his attention to the folder in his hands.
“Mr. James, getting the casts off, getting out of bed and getting out of here is not quite as simple as you seem to think.”
Kaden sighed and shook his head. “Oh, but Doc, it is. You don’t know just how simple it is for me.”
I gave Kaden a questioning look and he gave me a lopsided grin.
“Just cut me free, send me to wherever and I’ll rehab my own body, I know how far to push before it breaks and this little lady can keep an eye on me if that makes you happy.”
“Do you actually understand, Lieutenant, the dire situation you were in when you arrived, how ill you were? Do you understand how far you have yet to go? The nurses and I have put a great deal of care and time into ensuring that you make a full recovery and I won’t allow you to jeopardize it.”
I turned my gaze on Chris, I had never heard him speak so rudely, his eyes burned into mine, daring me to contradict him. When I turned to Kaden, I saw the anger rising within.
I cleared my throat, trying to figure a way to defuse the situation between the two men. Right now, I wanted to be anywhere but here. Sparks flew between Chris and Kaden, it was a Mexican standoff, both men waiting for the other to act next.
