Page 8 of Blaze

I squeeze my thigh tight, staring down at my injured leg.It doesn’t look as ominous now that it’s wrapped in gauze instead of my tank top, but I saw the injury when it happened.The thought alone makes me feel queasy.

I’m surprised by how fast we arrive at the clinic.I’m actually kind of shocked that there even is a clinic in this small town.There isn’t a lot.It seems a bit rundown.A lot of the buildings on the strip have been abandoned or at least the businesses have closed down.

“Don’t move.I’ll come around to get you,” he orders before jumping out of my car to round the hood.Something in me lurches every time he makes another demand.It distracts me from my pain and concern for my leg.

It’s also disconcerting.I’m on the run from a bossy man.What makes this one give me butterflies?I must be delirious from a fever.

Seconds later, he’s leaning over me to disconnect the seatbelt, and then I’m gently scooped into his arms again.I grab his neck as I realize this is it.He’s going to leave me here at this clinic.I’ll probably never see him again.Why would I?I don’t know anything about him other than the fact that he rescued me, he’s sex on a stick, and he’s got a heart of gold.

The door to the clinic opens before we reach it, and a woman holds it as if she were expecting us.She smiles at me.“You must be Vicky.I’m Dr.Matloff.Call me Kinsley, though.”

Oh, she’s the doctor.I’m relieved.For some reason, I was expecting an eighty-year-old grumpy guy who went to med school in the mid-nineteen hundreds.Kinsley looks to be only a few years older than me.

Blaze did mention a woman doctor.Not sure why I didn’t latch on to that.

“I guess Reagan called and gave you a heads-up?”Blaze asks.

“Yes.Take Vicky into exam room one.”

Blaze hurries toward the short hallway and into a room where he deposits me on the table.

I expect him to leave as fast as he can.After all, he’s done his civic duty today.Above and beyond.I’m sure he has other things to do.But I want to thank him, so I reach out and grab his hand.I only manage to snag a few fingers since his hand is twice as big as mine.

“Thank you so much.You saved my life.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls my side against his chest, shocking me when he kisses my forehead.“I’m so glad I was there.”

Kinsley removes my shoe and sock.“Reagan said you fell into a ravine while hiking yesterday?”

I nod.“Yes.Late afternoon.It was stupid.I know.I’m an idiot.I?—”

Blaze stiffens before tipping my head back.He looks into my eyes, his brow furrowed.“What did I say about calling yourself names?”

I swallow.

He lifts one brow.“You’re the one who mentioned needing to be spanked.”

I gasp.He’s right.I did.He looks like he really wants to do just that, and for some insane reason, I squirm.

Kinsley clears her throat.“Uh, Blaze, can we deal with her leg first?”

He jerks his attention to her and smirks.“Yes, of course.”They clearly know each other.I shouldn’t be surprised.It’s a small town.Maybe they’re a couple.

Why does that thought make my chest tighten?

I’ve known this man for a couple of hours.I have no business feeling an attachment to him.It’s bonkers.Did he just say something about spanking me in front of the doctor, though?I’m losing my mind.

Blaze addresses the doctor.“She used her tank top to wrap up the wound.I replaced it with the gauze when I found her.The shirt was saturated, though.”He slides his hand to the back of my neck and applies firm pressure, which oddly helps me relax.“Her other leg was pinned under a tree, but she insists it’s not broken.I only see bruising on her thigh.”

Kinsley leans over my good leg first.“Can you bend it for me?”

I lift my foot and shake it all around.The only issue is the bruise.

The doctor nods.“Good.I think you’re right.This leg is just bruised.I’m going to take the bandage off your left leg now,” Kinsley says.“Are you okay watching, or would you rather lie back?”

“I think I’m okay.”I’ve seen it.It was gross and scared the hell out of me.

Kinsley gently unwraps the wound.