“Can’t get my footing.”Jude’s pained expression had her digging her nails into his skin, afraid he was going to let go.“It’ll pull your arm out of the socket if I put all my weight on you.”
“Can you put it back into place?”
The world seemed to be crashing down around them.She was losing her grip as the rain continued to slicken his skin.He searched her gaze, then moved fast, using her arm as leverage to climb up and over her.She felt the pop in her left arm socket.Clenched her teeth and breathed through the dizzying pain.Her shoulder spasmed where it had dislocated.
“Goddammit!”Jude roared.
She’d been expecting his outburst but wasn’t frightened by it.A man like Jude, an alpha used to being in charge, would probably prefer to get taken away with the landslide to avoid inflicting pain or leaning on someone for help.She rolled to her back and willed her upper body to relax.Her left hand was tingling with numbness as Jude dropped to his knees at her side.She raised her arm slowly above her head.
“Ivy, stop.Let me get you somewhere safe.I know it hurts, but I can—”
She gritted her teeth and quickly reached her dislocated arm behind to her right shoulder.The popping sound cut off his words.She breathed in deeply, the relief almost instant as the joint clicked back into the socket.
He looked at her with a mix of disbelief, fury, and respect that kind of made her feel like a total badass.“You’re a fucking animal.”
She couldn’t help the laughter that erupted from her lips.“Whatever.Let’s go.”
“Hang on.”Jude stripped off his shirt.Rain cascaded down the hard ridges and planes of his body.She shouldn’t stare at his bare chest, but it was almost impossible not to.He quickly fashioned a makeshift sling and gently tightened it to stabilize her sore shoulder.Then, without a word, he crouched down and lifted her into his arms.
“You don’t have to pick me up.Walking doesn’t involve my arm.”He smelled of pine needles and whiskey, and she had an intense urge to bury her face against his skin.
He ignored her comments and continued to hike to higher ground.Wind tore at her clothes and every so often lightning would streak through the sky.With Jude’s powerful arms surrounding her, she felt safe despite the storm.By the time Jude slowed and placed her on her feet, it seemed like nearly an hour must have gone by.Her arm was sore, but she could walk until they found some kind of shelter.
“Your arms must feel like rubber bands after carrying me for so long.”
He raised an eyebrow.“I dislocated your shoulder.Whatever discomfort I might feel is minimal compared to what you did for me.We should be high enough to be out of danger, but we need to get dry before nightfall.Let me scout this cave.Make sure there’s no snakes or bears.”
“Don’t forget scorpions.”Her teeth chattered as she spoke.
He gave her another look she couldn’t discern, shrugged off his backpack, and unzipped one of the compartments.He withdrew a flashlight, clicked it on, then stepped into the shadows of the cave.After a moment, he returned.
“All clear.”He put his hand on the small of her back and led her inside where it was dry.He knelt and started pulling supplies out of the backpack.She watched as he worked quickly to erect a small silver tent in the middle of the cave before bringing her a bottle of water.
“Here, drink slowly,” he instructed, then turned.
He took something else out of his backpack before tossing it inside the tent.Then he was reaching for his belt buckle.Ivy angled her head away to give him privacy.
“We have to get out of our wet clothes, or we’ll lose heat faster than our bodies can create it.”The rustle of fabric sounded behind her.His shirt had been soaked and molded to his broad chest and abdomen.
She knew he was right about losing body heat, but her left arm was stiff, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get off the jacket or shirt he’d loaned her.The pants were no problem.Those were hanging off her.All she had to do was shimmy a little and they fell to her ankles.No arms needed.
The soft chuff made her still.“That’s one way to get the job done.”
Had Jude laughed?She wasn’t going to call him out for it, because she had a feeling his smiles and laughs were few and far between.Still, the sound gave her such satisfaction, a bubble of warmth glowed in her belly.
She heard his footsteps and turned her head, gaze landing on his sculpted body, so beautiful it made her breath hitch.She glanced at the floor, not sure where she should look.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”The low rumble of his voice blended with the distant thunder.
She jerked her chin up, meeting his eyes, and swore she saw hurt there.“I know that,” she soothed.
He shifted, suddenly looking unsure.“You don’t have to be afraid to take the rest of your clothes off.”
She gave him a gentle smile.“I was waiting for you to be done, because I can’t do it on my own.My arm is stiff and still in this sling.”
“Shit, of course.Sorry,” he grumbled, and she couldn’t help but chuckle at the grumpy tone.“What did I miss?”he asked as he unzipped the jacket.
“Nothing.I just… I guess I got used to your grouchy voice.I kind of missed it on the hike up here.”He untied the wet shirt that had held her arm immobile and discomfort ached deep inside the joint as her arm readjusted to her side.
