I wouldn’t let her fall. Reaching out an arm, I steadied her with one hand while beginning to undress her with the other. I flicked open the button of her jeans and pulled the zipper down.
“What are you doing?” she asked, sounding wary.
“Getting you out of these clothes. There’s blood all over you, Reaper. I need to make sure you’re not hurt.”
“I’m not,” she insisted. “You’re the one who’s hurt.”
“I’m not,” I said, repeating her words.
“You’ve been-” she broke off with a gasp as I yanked her jeans down her luscious legs. “We need to get that bullet out of your thigh.”
“We will,” I said in a soothing voice.
“Pyre,” she snapped as I used both hands to lift her shirt off over her head.
She wasn’t fully cooperating, but that wasn’t deterring me. “We need to clean up before you can go digging around in my leg,” I explained.
As soon as the shirt was over her head, she scowled at me. “And that’s the reason you’re completely undressing me? I’ll wash my hands and forearms thoroughly. I may only be a medical examiner, but I know-”
This time it was my mouth that made her stop talking. She groaned as I pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. I didn’t care that I had a bullet in my thigh. I wouldn’t give a shit if there was one in my chest. My woman was nearly naked in front of me, and I was going to take full advantage.
She was stiff in my arms, but not for long. As soon as my tongue slid between her lips, hers dueled with mine. My hands ran up her back, finding her bra, and undoing it with practiced ease.
It didn’t take long before she was pressed against me, her nipples brushing against the fabric of my cut and shirt. I pulled back and grinned at her. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were flushed.
“Come on,” I told her, grasping her by the shoulders and turning her around.
“What- Hey!”
I marched her into the bathroom in nothing but her panties. Those would be coming off soon, but we were seriously covered in blood and most of it didn’t belong to us. We needed a good scrubbing. I reached down and turned the shower on, letting the water get hot while I stripped out of my own filthy clothes. I set my cut on the bathroom counter, and tossed the rest into the corner. I was standing in nothing but my boxer briefs, watching her. “You first.”
She sighed, but smiled as she gave in. “Fine. But then we’re taking care of your leg.”
“Sure.” After I fucked her. I needed to reconnect with her. To run my hands over her body and assure myself that she wasn’t hurt. And I couldn’t do that without doing more. She was going to try to change my mind. To take care of me first, but I was a stubborn man.
She hooked her thumbs into the sides of her panties and drew them down.
My mouth went dry at the sight. Her body was perfect. She was small but had curves in all the right places. Small curves, but they were there nonetheless. Her tits were perky, her nipples already hard. “Come here,” I urged.
She stepped up to me and put her hand on my chest.
Just the feel of her skin on mine soothed something in me. Eased the tension that had been building from the moment Ainsley had said she was in trouble. Leaning down, I fit our mouths together.
I had no words to tell her how fucking scared I’d been that I was going to show up at that bridge and find her broken body lying on the ground. That I’d finally made the decision to make her mine, only to lose her a short time after. The thought made rage pound in my blood. I’d killed a lot of men for her tonight. Not that I’d ever phrase it to her like that, it would make her feel guilty. But I had. And I’d have killed a whole fuck ton more of them just to get to her.
I’d deployed into some hellish landscapes during my time in the Navy. Had seen atrocities that would give most nightmares. They’d changed me in ways that even I didn’t fully understand. And yet... I’d never felt fear like I had tonight.
Jerking her against my body, I deepened the kiss. It was as though I needed to imprint her on my skin. I needed her to know I’d always be there. She’d never have to worry that I wouldn’t show up for her. She was mine. I was hers. And if anyone fucked with her, I’d kill them without hesitation.
She moaned as I palmed one of her tits, brushing my thumb over the nipple. When she was practically melting into a puddle in my arms, I walked us backwards into the shower. The hot water had dried blood and dirt washing away.
“You’re still dressed,” she gasped when I let go of her mouth and dragged my teeth down the side of her neck.
I didn’t give a shit. I’d take the boxers off in a minute. She tasted too good to stop.
“Pyre,” she said, her hands moving to push at my shoulders.
I lifted my head and glared down at her. “We’re showering,” I told her, my tone brooking no argument. “Then we’re fucking. And after that, you can take care of my leg, Little Reaper.”
