Darren agreed and we all watched as Porter rushed out the door without another word.
“Everything okay?” I asked, noticing how urgently he’d left. It wasn’t a usual exit for Porter. He was the guy who took forever to leave somewhere because he would get caught up talking while saying bye. It was one of my favorite things about him.
Alden waved a hand dismissively at him. “He’s fine, don’t worry.” He stood and stretched. “Think I’ll go catch a nap. Feel like I haven’t slept in days.” He yawned loudly and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before retreating to his room upstairs.
Darren quickly went and washed his hands then pulled out the medical bag they’d put together with all my bandaging, ointments, and medication organized neatly inside. There was one upstairs and downstairs so they could get to them quickly whether I was awake or asleep.
Yet another thoughtful thing they’d done just for me.
Darren slipped some latex gloves onto his hands and sat next to me on the couch, propping both my legs up on his lap.
“How’re they feeling today?” he asked, unraveling the old bandaging slowly from one leg.
I made a wobbly gesture with my hand. “Pain comes and goes. It’s not been too bad though.”
He was quiet as he fished out some gauze from the bag and with a bit of premixed soap and water, he lightly wet the gauze with a small bowl of water he’d grabbed and softly began wiping away leftover ointment, taking care not to drag it too hard along the burns.
His other hand rested on my knee. I knew he just had it there to stabilize my leg while he cleaned it, but the feel of his warm palm and long fingers sent tingling sensations everywhere. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I swallowed thickly. He didn’t notice, but I swear my body temperature rose.
I couldn’t pinpoint when he or any of the guys touching me had started eliciting these feelings in me, but I knew that it was impossible to push them down. I mean, what girl wouldn’t feel some way for three hot men who doted on her at every waking moment? I knew it was probably terrible to enjoy these moments, especially since it happened with all three of them. Nothing good would come from trying to start anything romantic with any of them.
They were here to help me get back on my feet. That was it. And Alden already had a girlfriend. So I did my best to not show my reactions to their small touches or sweet gestures.
However, when Darren’s fingers started kneading my knee then slid a little higher onto my thigh, goosebumps broke out all along my leg. I froze, hoping like hell he hadn’t noticed.
His hand suddenly lifted from my thigh as if I’d shocked him and his eyes glanced at me with apology shining through them.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, clearing his throat. “I, uh, just felt comfortable with you and lost myself.”
I hid my smile. It was nice to know he was comfortable with me—andthat he still hadn’t realized exactly what his touch did to me.
“It’s fine,” I replied softly. “I’m comfortable with you too.”
Darren nodded and went back to tending my leg. I watched him and noticed his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down like he was continually swallowing. Was he nervous? Was it possible he was feeling what I was feeling? That connection like you’ve known the person forever?
I stayed silent, racing through those questions repeatedly as he applied new ointment, fresh gauze, then started to slowly wrap the bandaging back up my leg. His fingers skimmed across my skin every time he went around and up, sending tiny shockwaves through me each time.
It had been so long since I’d been touched by a man, and having it happen so often now was seriously messing with my libido. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t pictured what it would be like to be with Darren. Or Porter. Or even Alden.
This was going to be a long few weeks if I didn’t learn how to calm the hell down.
“All done,” Darren grunted, sounding a bit out of sorts. He lifted the leg he tended to and had me set it down with my foot on the floor while my other leg was still perched on his lap.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as he went to work on my other leg, perching his hand yet again on my knee as he cleaned the wound. A shiver ran up my back, making me wiggle a bit in my seat.
“Am I tickling you?” Darren asked, giving me a side grin.
I shook my head vehemently. “Nope. Just a chill.” I lied, knowing damn well I was too chicken to tell him his hands were turning me on. He was just changing my bandages for goodness sake. Ineededto get it together.
“Right. A chill.”Dammit. Maybe my reactions weren’t as hidden as I thought they were.
He seemed to knowexactlywhat he was doing to me by how he took his sweet time dressing up my other leg, making sure his fingers brushed my skin more than the last time.
Finally finished, I swung my leg up and off his lap, sitting myself upright and facing away from him.
“Thank you,” I told him quickly, averting my eyes from him completely.What is wrong with me?
“Anytime, Sophia.” I could hear a slight bit of amusement in his tone, but I chose to pretend I hadn’t. “Think I’ll get in a nap as well. Would you like me to take you to your room or are you good here?”
