“Aye, I need to take you to a more secure location,” he says, “a safehouse. No one will find you there.”
“If you were going for comforting,” I say, “that really comes over more as a threat.”
Ethan laughs, kissing my hand. “Whichever one makes you behave so I can see after your safety.”
“None of these episodes were my fault!” I want to shout it at him as he walks out the door, but my defiant statement of personal indemnity ends in another round of pathetic wheezing.
Nashgab - Scottish slang for an impertinent, sassy person
Chapter Twenty-Six
In which there are baths and an impressive level of self-control for Ethan. Also, endless erections.
Ethan…
I’m one twisted bastard.
Sloan is so ill, she’s weak and the poor lass has been through hell, but filling the tub for her, all I can think about is stripping her naked and climbing in with her. She’d lose her mind if she knew it wouldn’t be the first time.
Two days ago…
It was the second day of Sloan’s illness and Dr. MacTavish gave a “hmmm…” as she examined her.
“What would that ‘hmmm’ be meaning, Doc?” I’m standing at the foot of the bed, watching the patient monitor tracking Sloan’s heart rate and blood oxygenation count. It’s concerningly low, even with the supplementary oxygen.
“She’s doing better, but I don’t like how stubborn this fever is.” She runs a thermometer over Sloan’s forehead again. “I think putting her in a cool bath is a good idea. Not freezing. Sometimes, that can break a fever faster than medication can.”
“I’ll do it.”
Doc pauses, looking at me sternly. “Do you think Miss Masters would prefer you?”
“She’s unconscious. She canna choose. But I know her best,” I say flatly, with no room for argument.
Our clan doctor is not the type to defer to any man, no matter how high up in the hierarchy he might be, but after a moment, she purses her lips and agrees. “Cool water, mind. I’ll change her sheets while you bathe her.”
We gently disconnect her from all the machines and I carry her into the bathroom. She’s so light, her heated little body burning against mine and her head resting against my chest.
Looking at the tub and her, I realize she’s not going to be able to do this without me. Holding her on my lap, I quickly undress us both and climb into the tub, settling her on top of me. Her poor, fevered body sinks into the cool water with a little moan of gratitude from her cracked lips.
“Shhh… poor lass. I’ll take care of you.” I draw the washcloth up and down her arms, her face, and neck. Her breasts are just above the water, her sweet, pink nipples puckered. My cock is thickening and I curse myself for being such a sick feck.
Balancing her on my thigh and away from my dick, I keep running the cloth over her broiling hot skin. There’s eucalyptus oil in the water, and it seems to be helping her breathe a bit. I don’t keep fancy girl shite like that here, but my Ma sent over a care package. She’s offered to come over and help me care for Sloan, all the aunties have. But she is my responsibility.
She lets out a little moan. “Nate… sorry. Sorry… I’ll fix it.”
What happened to her brother? Why does she feel this guilt? When she’s better and she can tell me, I’ll fix this for her. With extreme, bloody finality.
Currently…
When I carry Sloan into the bathroom and seat her on the toilet, she stares at me.
“I’m not moving until you shut the door,” she says flatly. “With you on the other side.”
I smother a grin. “Sorry lass, I’m not lettin’ ya fall and get hurt. We have places to be. I can just take ya as is, but…”
She gives an angry little growl and it’s the cutest thing. I know she’d try to stab me if I said that out loud. Turning on the water in the sink, I turn my back. “Go ahead, then. I won’t look.”
I can hear her flush and the little ‘thud!’ as she tries to stand up and sways, hitting the wall. “I did tell ya to wait,” I say sternly. “What if ya hit your head on the tub?”
