Chapter 4
The pain was excruciating. It felt like his nerve endings were on fire. His face only stung, but flashes of agony radiated from his wrists, and unrelenting waves of nausea accompanied the torture. Steve lay back on the bed but couldn’t stay still, the desire to pace overwhelming.Shit!
“It’ll be okay,” Corey soothed. “Just lie back for a moment while I get you set up.”
Steve scooted back against the headboard and resisted the urge to get up from the bed. He’d do what Corey asked. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He felt Corey put another pillow behind his back, supporting him in an upright position. He finally draped a towel over Steve’s lap.
“I’ll be back in a second. Don’t go anywhere.” Corey chuckled.
Steve opened his eyes and attempted a smile, then shut them again, only opening them when Corey returned a couple of minutes later.
“I want you to put your hands in this.” Corey balanced the large basin of water on Steve’s lap. Steve eyed it eagerly; the floating ice cubes looked inviting. Without hesitation, he plunged his still burning wrists into the cold water.
“Ahh….” He sighed at the instant relief.
“I know it’s not the most comfortable thing to balance the basin on your lap, but it’s better than putting the ice directly on your skin. I’ll change the water when it warms up.” Corey sat on the edge of the bed beside Steve. Concern etched his forehead. “How’s it feeling? Honestly.”
“Truth be told, it hurts like a bitch,” Steve admitted. “But the cold water feels fantastic. Thanks.”
Corey nodded. “You sure you don’t need to see a doctor? I know the guys were giving you a hard time, but if you need treatment… or the pain’s too much….”
Steve lifted his wrist and studied it for a moment. “It’s nasty. The left one’s blistered quite badly, but I don’t think there’s anything a doctor could do more than we’ve already done. We cooled it immediately, and so long as the burn is kept clean, I think it should be okay. I just wish it didn’t freaking hurt so much.”
“Did you bring any painkillers with you?” Corey asked. “If not, I’ve got some ibuprofen in my room.”
“Yeah. There’s some Panadol in my toiletry bag over on the dresser,” Steve replied, gesturing to where the bag sat on top of the large chest of drawers. “Would you mind grabbing me a couple?”
Corey got up and went over to the dresser. He unzipped the bag holding Steve’s toiletries and rummaged around before pulling out the small pill bottle and waving it in the air. “Eureka.” He shook out two tablets and returned to the bed. He picked up the water glass from the bedside table, stopping Steve with a light touch to the forearm when Steve attempted to take his hand from the water. “Here, I’ll do it. You keep your hands cool.”
Steve rested back against the pillows. His gaze met Corey’s as Corey leaned over him, and he found himself lost in the depths of Corey’s dark eyes. Corey seemed to be searching for something as he studied him. Steve swallowed heavily, his heart suddenly beating a rapid tattoo in his chest. “I….” The words stuck in his throat.
The spell broke when Corey looked at the pills in his hand. “Sorry.” He moved closer to Steve. “Open up.”
Steve opened his mouth slowly and shivered as Corey placed the pills on his tongue. “Here.” Corey held the water glass to Steve’s lips and tipped it slightly. The tepid water filled his mouth, and Steve gulped down the pills. A droplet escaped and trickled down. “Whoops.” Corey raised his hand and used his thumb to chase the droplet and wipe the liquid from Steve’s chin and lip. The movement was extremely personal, and heat crept up Steve’s neck as his breath quickened at Corey’s lingering touch. Corey’s face was only inches from Steve’s, and Corey’s gaze was focused on his mouth. He couldn’t help darting out his tongue to draw it along his bottom lip where Corey’s fingertip had been only moments before. He groaned as he imagined he could taste Corey.
At the sound, Corey pulled back instantly. “Sorry. You’re in pain. It shouldn’t take long for the painkillers to kick in. I’ll go grab some fresh ice and bring you something to eat. You shouldn’t have the medication on an empty stomach.”
Steve stared at the basin where the once plump ice cubes had become thin slivers floating on the surface of the water. As Corey left the room, he was immediately aware of the pain in his wrists once again.
* * *
Corey had stayed by his side until Steve had shooed him out to join the guys for dinner. Steve hadn’t had much of an appetite, and the tension headache that had developed gave him extra cause to stay quietly in his room. He didn’t want to cramp their style and ruin the fun, but at the same time, he hoped Corey would hurry back.
His wish was granted as he glanced up to see Corey coming back into the bedroom. Corey placed a glass of water and a fresh packet of ibuprofen on the bedside table. “How’s it feeling?” His dark eyes were etched with worry.
“A bit better. Hurts like hell when I take them away from the cold.” He grunted with frustration. “This isn’t how I thought I’d be spending Christmas Eve. It’s got to be the worst Christmas Eve ever.”
Corey nodded, the sympathy evident in his serious expression. “Do you want me to bring the basin back again?”
Steve wiggled his fingers. “Nah. My fingertips look like prunes. The ice pack is fine.” While Steve had stripped down to his briefs and settled into the bed, Corey had taken away the water and replaced it with a couple of Ziploc bags filled with ice cubes. Steve pressed the ice against his wrists and moaned as the cold travelled into his burning skin and provided instant relief. “You make a great nurse.” He smiled at Corey.
“Why thank you.” Corey laughed. “Not sure how my sister does it all the time, but I quite like helping you out and looking after you. Are you sure you don’t want something more to eat?”
“The sandwich was fine. Honestly. What are the guys up to while you play nurse?”
“Poker.”
“Why don’t you go join them?”
