16
Caroline shuffled hesitantlythrough the door less entryway into the one-bedroom shack. The roof may have been caved in at the back corner along with creepy, crawly things slithering across the floor, but she didn’t allow herself to dwell on that for long. No one was trying to gun them down or attack them. They were safe.
There was a makeshift cot made of bamboo and some sort of rope support system she couldn’t describe, but there was also a blanket hanging over the headboard, a blanket she immediately grabbed and shook out, forcing herself not to squeal and shriek as a few centipedes fell onto her forearms, tumbled onto the floor, and scrabbled toward the door.
Once she was sure the quilt was free of bugs or snakes or whatever the hell else might have infested it, she doubled it over onto the ropes and patted it, indicating that Reaper should lie down. By now his face was pale again, covered in a slight sheen of sweat, and he had the gaunt look of a man in pain. He staggered to the bed and collapsed, his robe parting to reveal his semi bare chest.
Out of decency, Caroline forced herself to survey the rest of the shack instead of staring openly at this godlike chest.
“There’s a batch of meds in my pocket. I need you to get out one dose and administer it.” He slung his uninjured arm over his forehead and closed his eyes, and the effect was absolutely devastating to her senses.
He might as well be a black-haired Achilles in repose, and she the mortal who had him all to herself. Her mouth dry, she hesitantly advanced, and knelt next to the cargo pocket he indicated next to his knee.
She pulled open the Velcro, which basically blasted the quiet, and extracted a medium-size, flat, Army-green pouch. There were numerous lines in the material, like it contained a pack of pens, but when she opened the top, she saw it was filled with large hypodermic needles. They contained a bright-green, gel-like substance. Was this what he wanted her to give him? For some reason, one she couldn’t fathom, she’d assumed he meant pills or something. These needles looked like they were intended for horses or elephants. “This?”
“Yes. Just one vile. Subcutaneous. In the flank.”
“Flank?” She knew her voice was a screech, but she couldn’t help it. She was smart enough to realize flank meant butt, and the thought of seeing his bare ass made her mouth water.
Reaper rolled over onto his good shoulder, and shoved his pants down far enough to reveal one tight cheek. “Just jam it in.”
Almost in a trance, Caroline touched his bare flesh, savoring the feel of his skin. She’d seen a man’s naked ass before, but this one made her belly do little somersaults. “I’ve never given a shot before.”
And she had never before wanted to sink her fingernails into a man’s ass and squeeze.
“It’s easy, just stick it in and inject the fluid. I promise I won’t cry.”
Well, if he thought it was that easy, surely she could manage it. Then if he was sore, she would be perfectly willing to massage the tenderness later.
“You’re the first person who’s ever trusted me with a needle.” And she was willing to bet her entire inheritance he’d be the last. Unable to stare directly at what she was about to do, she turned her head away and watched, cringing, out of the corner of her eye. With a quick flick of her wrist, she stuck the needle into his flesh and injected the fluid, yanking it back out within seconds. The whole process left her sweating and shaking, but Reaper turned over without even a change in his hardened expression.
“I need to rest, recover my strength. I may fall asleep for a little while. If anyone comes close to that door, use my rifle and pump them full of lead. You got it?”
The very real possibility sent a shudder of fear through her. “And what if someone’s behind him?”
“I’ll finish him off.”
“But if I empty your gun, how would you do that?”
“The same way I usually do it. With my bare hands.”
