Frankie stood back out of the way while he worked. She watched closely, though, because she wanted to be sure Yaeger was healing like he should.
"He's healing up nicely. By morning, I'll be able to take out most of the stitches. His arm will take another day to fully heal. It took the worst of the damage. Just keep him comfortable and don't let him do too much when he wakes up."
"I'll do my best. You know how stubborn he can be."
"It's that stubbornness that kept him alive," Lucas replied.
"Thank the gods for that," she said softly.
"I'll get out of here and let you get back to sleep. Call me if you need me."
"Will do." She walked him out, then returned to Yaeger's side. She crawled into the bed and curled on her side next to him. Thinking about how close she came to losing him, she let the tears flow until sleep finally claimed her.
Chapter Twenty
Yaeger
Morning light filtered in through the curtains, waking him from slumber, and he stretched. He ached all over and stretching made it worse, causing him to groan.
"Easy, you'll tear the stitches," he heard Frankie say sleepily.
"Stitches?" It took precious moments for his mind to remember the events from the day before. "Fuck! The rogue."
"Yeah," she said quietly.
"What happened? How did I end up in here?"
"I was coming by to surprise you with a picnic lunch. When I couldn't find you in the cabin, I looked out back and found you in the snow. Gods, it was awful. There was so much blood, I didn't know what to do. I just started screaming for help. As luck would have it, Yin was coming by with a load of firewood for you and heard me. He carried you in here and called Lucas, who came and stitched you up. He said you're going to have some scars from the attack, especially your arm, which is going to take longer to heal. Gods, Yaeger, I almost lost you," she said, her voice cracking.
"I know, darlin', but you didn't. I'm still here. C'mere," he said and pulled her into his arms. "Shhh, it's okay," he comforted her.
She cried for several minutes before her tears subsided. "Don't ever do that to me again."
"I'll try not to, darlin'. I've got his scent now. He can't get the drop on me again." Too bad the bastard had been standing downwind when he’d watched them that night and left no lingering scent behind besides the semen.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty? Can I get you anything?" she asked him.
"I could eat."
"Let me go make breakfast."
"I'd rather have you," he growled.
"You're under doctor's orders not to do anything too strenuous," she countered.
"Fuck doctor's orders. I want my mate," Yaeger said. He slid his hand beneath her shirt and caressed her breast. "You can ride me. That won't put any pressure on my injuries," he added.
"You…but…oh that feels good," she said when he pinched her nipple. "Mmm, okay," she conceded.
"Strip," he ordered and watched with hooded eyes as she slid off the bed to do as he commanded. Fuck, she was gorgeous. He was hard just watching her undress. "Now come here," he told her and patted the bed next to him. When she rejoined him, he turned onto his side and slid his hand over her, caressing her. He tweaked her nipple and made her moan.
"Mmm that feels good," she moaned. "You're overdressed," she said because he still had his pants on.
"All in good time, darlin'. I want to make you feel good first," he told her. He slid his hand down to her pussy and groaned. "Damn, you're already wet for me."
"You make me wet with your touch," she admitted.
"That's good to know, darlin'," he said in reply. He slid two fingers into her and curled them against her g-spot, stroking it with each thrust. His thumb teased her clit, which swelled from the attention it received, and soon she was writhing beneath his hand.
