“It’s very normal. You like the way I smell.”
“I do not,” she said too quickly. “That would be just as nuts.”
“Why were you sniffing me last night then?” he smirked. The bastard smirked!
“No, I …” she nipped her bottom lip and squeezed lightly. “You were supposed to be sleeping. You were sleeping dammit.”
“Shifters sleep with one eye open. You sniffed me and by that little sigh you gave I’d say that you liked it.” His smirk grew bigger. What an asshat! He was loving every minute.
She shook her head. “I was checking to see if you needed a sponge bath.” She tapped her nose. “You know, checking your level of BO.”
He nodded, looking smug. “What was the sigh for then?”
“I was upset to learn that you did need one and rather badly.” She shook her head, slowly trying to look put out. “I sighed out of frustration because it’s the last thing I feel like doing. I wasn’t even going to mention it.” She shook her head. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“I’m not embarrassed. If I stink then I need a bath,” he shrugged.
“Sure, once you’ve … you know …” she gestured to the front of the cave. “I’ll help you to the pool.” She glanced to the back of the cave.
Thunder shook his head, looking serious. “I’ll be lucky to make it to the front and then back again. Hell, I’ll be lucky if I stand upright long enough to piss. I’ll take that sponge bath you so kindly offered.”
“I didn’t offer you a sponge bath. I said you needed one.” The thought of washing him from head to toe left her feeling a little out of breath.”
“You said you would care for me and get me anything I needed.”
Oh god! He wasn’t going to make her do that. No way! He would be an absolute prick if he …
Thunder burst out laughing, the laugh turned into a low groan. “That hurts. You should see your face. I’m only joking. We both know that you think I smell good. As awesome as a bath sounds, particularly a sponge bath, it can wait. I’m sure I’ll be strong enough to bathe tomorrow.”
Tammy couldn’t help but smile. “You’re an asshole.”
Thunder frowned and grit his teeth for a few seconds. “An asshole who’s about to wet the bed,” his voice sounded strained.
“Oh, shit, sorry!” She rushed over to him. Thunder pulled himself into a sitting position. He moved slowly and carefully. A sheen appeared on his forehead from the strain it took. The sheet pooled around his waist. “What do you need me to do?” Her heart-rate went up and her hands felt a bit sweaty.
“You have a deer in the headlights look,” Thunder gave a half smile, he was breathing heavily. How was it that he looked so damned good despite being out of breath? For one, his chest was a thing of utter beauty. Those abs were impressive. They were let me glide my tongue along that ridge impressive. Stop!
Okay so he was hot, insanely good-looking … no need to get all weak in the knees and gaga over him. He was too darned hunky. Liable to break her heart. Stomp all over the pieces and move on in an instant. He might seem nice, they all seemed nice. He had charming down pat, as well. A sure sign that he was not nice. You’ve been there and you have the t-shirt. Stop ogling him. Stop!
“I’ve never played at nurse before. You’re a big guy, I’m not sure how much help I can be.”
“Give me a hand. Help me up and then maybe keep me from falling over.”
“Okay.” She nodded, pushing out a breath.
“Okay then.” He put out both his hands and she took them. Warm and calloused. Big, generous hands. Really nice hands. He squeezed hers, bringing her back. “You ready?”
She nodded, bending at the knee so that she could take his weight better. “Oh and, Tamara …”
“You can call me Tammy.” Why did she say that? He was going to get the wrong idea. “My friends call me that,” she put emphasis on the word ‘friends’.
He looked her in the eye with those mesmerizing purple irises. Stop! She needed to find herself a life raft already. There would be no drowning in those babies. He licked his lower lip. Don’t look! Don’t! Arghh! She bloody looked. At his tongue, dammit … and just like that his smirk was back. “Tammy.”
“Yeah?” a sigh. A damned sigh. “What?” she added a bit more harshly.
“You might want to keep your eyes on mine.”
“Why? Stop your shit, Thunder. Just because you have really beautiful eyes does not mean that I want to sit and stare into them all day.” I do! I really do … not!
He frowned for a moment. “No, I mean you should keep your eyes on mine because I’m about to lose my—” He gave the edge of his blanket a small tug. She wanted to panic at the thought of him naked but there were dark circles under his eyes and he was beginning to look really tired even though they hadn’t set out yet.
“Just tie it around your waist or something.”
He shook his head. “I can’t get my ass up and tie the thing and stay upright.” He shook his head. “Just keep your eyes on mine and we’ll be golden,” he smiled. One of his shit-eating grins. “Not that I mind you looking at my cock or anything.”
She gave him a whack on the side of the arm and he almost fell over. Tammy grabbed him by the biceps. Huge, hard, really awesome biceps. Not that she noticed since she was busy trying to keep him upright. “I don’t think this is going to work.” She pulled him against her. Thunder gripped her outer thighs. She managed to keep him up … just.
“It will. It has to. I haven’t wet my bed since I was a whelp and I don’t plan on doing it now.”
“Fine.”
“Let’s do this then. I’m ready.” His breathing had almost normalized but he still looked dead tired.
“On three?” She took back his hands. Thunder nodded.
She counted down. “And up we go!” She leaned back, using her body weight to give him a lift. He made it up about an inch or two and fell back down.
“Fuck!” he growled. “I’m useless. Can’t even stand up.”
“I’ll grip you under your arms and lift you.”
“I weigh a ton.”
“I doubt it.”
“No really.” It didn’t look like he was joking. “Let’s try the arm thing.” He lifted both his arms. Only got about half-way up before his brow glistened and a grimace took residence on his face.
Tammy reached around him, careful to avoid his back. The position put them cheek to cheek. Shit! He really did smell good.
“No sniffing,” he growled. “It’s a come on, in dragon talk.”
“I wasn’t …” she let the sentence die. “I’m not a dragon.”
“I am.” Another low growl that she felt all the way down in her panties. Right to her clit, to be precise. She needed sex and sooner rather than later.
She ignored her body. Ignored him even more. “On three …” she counted down before she could give the whole thing too much thought. When she reached three she lifted and he seemed to rise for a few moments before falling back down. Wouldn’t you know too, he fell all the way down. So did she, landing right on top of him.
He groaned, his face a mask of agony. “Oh my god!” She cupped his cheeks. “Are you okay?”
He gave a small nod.
She put one of her hands on his chest. “Are you sure?”
“I’m great! Perfect. Except that you’re kind of sitting on my bladder.”
Tammy scrambled off him. She hadn’t realized that she was straddling him. Thank God the blanket stayed put.
Thunder pulled himself up onto his elbows. “Let me take care of my little situation and you can sit on top of me all you like. I’ll even let you bounce,” he winked at her. He was good at it too. Some guys looked like they had something in their eye and others like big, fat assholes wanting to score. Thunder looked hot, oh yeah, and sexy … and funnily enough, he looked sweet. It was all a façade though. She wasn’t buying it for a second.
“Yeah, right!” Tammy snorted. An hon
“Plan B is wet the bed and I hate that idea,” he frowned. It took some effort to get himself back into a sitting position. Thunder groaned.
“No really. Maybe you could pee into the water bottle or something.”
He shook his head. “No! I’m a male in my prime. It’s a few measly feet. Just have to get up. Besides, I still have to drink out of that thing.” He pulled a face of disgust.
“It’s far.”
“You’re not helping. I have a plan.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Get on your knees.” He pointed to the ground at his feet.
“I’m not sure I like where this is going.” She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms. It was silly of her to make a joke at a time like this, but she couldn’t help herself.
It was his turn to blush. A huge, gorgeous hunk of a man was blushing because she was insinuating he wanted a blowjob. She never expected it, not for one minute. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, still blushing. It was endearing. It made her warm to him. No, not happening! Christopher Collins. She reminded herself of her good-looking, successful, charming dickwad of an ex.
“You didn’t mean it like that? That would be a first,” she made an attempt at humor and failed. This whole thing felt awkward. No wonder she was cracking ridiculous jokes. May as well get this over with. Tammy knelt at his feet. Even his feet were beautiful.
“You might want to turn the other way.” He twirled his finger and gave her a wink ‒ one that reminded her just how charming he could be, even if he did blush on occasion. “Unless of course you want to look at my …”
“No!” she blurted. “That’s okay,” she added as she turned around to face the cave wall across the way.
Thunder chuckled at her reaction. Ass-hat.
“I’ll get up using your shoulders for support. I’m heavy, so brace yourself.”
“I’ll be fine, just don’t fall onto the floor or you’ll be stuck there.”
“What a tragedy that would be. I wouldn’t get to cuddle with you tonight.” She could hear that he was smiling.
“How many times do I have to tell you that it’s by accident? It doesn’t count when you’re asleep.”
“Still feels good. I’d definitely miss your arms around me, your lush …” She could hear that he was definitely smiling.
“Okay … enough of that Prince Charming.”
“I’m a king.”
“Whatever.”
“Is that not important to you? My status?” His voice held an edge. It sounded like he was being serious. Like he cared either way. Maybe he saw himself as being high and mighty or something, just because he held a title. Again, she’d been there and done that.
She glanced back over her shoulder. He was frowning. “No,” she said. “It’s not important. Everyone is equal. We are all born and we all have to die one day. We all shit the same too. Do you think you are better than everyone else just because you have a golden chest?” Oops, maybe that was going a bit too far? Tough luck! He’d asked and she’d answered.
Thunder grinned. It was so wide that she saw his pearly whites. He looked like he liked her answer, which was weird since she had pretty much dissed him. “I have more responsibilities, more privileges …”
Of that she had no doubt.
“but I’m no better. Let’s do this thing,” he gave a nod.
She nodded as well, facing back the other way. This time, after Thunder finished counting down, it felt like her shoulders were about to be crushed to the ground. Like they might break at any second. He hadn’t been lying when he said he was heavy. In fact, it may have been a bit of an understatement. Her legs shook. She felt the gravel press into her knees. Thunder grunted and then gave a shout of triumph as he made it up.
Tammy fell forward as his weight lifted off of her. She put her hands out to stop herself from plowing headfirst into the ground. Her hands were still a bit tender from their previous abuses so she cried out.
“Are you okay?” Thunder’s voice was laced with concern.
“Yeah.” She had to stop herself from turning her head. Tammy got back up, glancing at Thunder. At his face … no lower.
His eyes had a dazed look and he was swaying on his feet.
“Shit! Here …” she put her arm around him. “Are you sure you can do this?”
He grunted. “Give me a second—” He was breathing heavily. “Dizzy,” he added.
He was leaning on her quite heavily but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. She only prayed that he didn’t fall because she hadn’t been joking earlier, there was no way he’d be able to get up again. Not today anyway and maybe not tomorrow either. He would have to try to make himself comfortable on the ground until he was strong enough. The bed would be cold without him. She didn’t just think that. Argh!
“I’m ready,” his voice was stronger.
They began to walk. Small, shuffling steps. Tammy focused on the path ahead. It was littered with the odd bigger rock. She’d do her best to navigate around them.
She glanced at Thunder who looked like he was barely holding on. Sweat poured off of him, but he kept on walking.
“Thank fuck!” he muttered when they finally made it to the walled section of the cave. He put one hand against the wall and leaned in.
“I’ll leave you to it then,” Tammy said, but the moment she let him go, he almost toppled over. Then, he overcorrected, nearly falling the other way. She grabbed ahold of him again. “Easy!”
Thunder chuckled. “I think I might need you to stay.”
“Oh no! No way,” she shook her head.
“Please, Tammy,” a whispered plea. “I wouldn’t ask unless I was desperate. I’m too off balance. I’m so damned weak …” he sounded exasperated and frustrated and desperate.
“I can’t hold you up while you pee. It wouldn’t be right. It’s private and …” Shit! He was in a bad way. Too weak to be able to handle this solo. She’d pretend she was a nurse. “Ok, I’ll do it.”
“Thank you,” he sounded relieved.
“Sure.”
“Tamara …” She didn’t like the way he said her name. Her full name. The corners of his eyes were slightly crinkled at the edges even though he looked serious.
“Yes?”
“If you don’t want to hold me up, you could hold my cock instead if you would prefer. I’ll lean up against—”
Cheeky bastard! She gasped in horror and he laughed. It was soft and weak sounding. “Stop your shit!” She moved to stand behind him, with both hands around his torso to balance him, again being careful of his injured back. By the whiteness of his fingers, she could see that he was leaning quite heavily on the wall.
Thunder did his business. She tried hard to think of other things. To sing songs inside her mind but all she could think of was his cock in his hand. All she could think of was his cock, period.
Who’s the pervert now, Tamara?
You are. You! The poor guy is half dead and peeing against a wall. Hardly romantic and yet … Argh! Think of other things dammit.
It went on for a long time. Too long for her liking. Then again, this was the first time he was going to the bathroom. Once he was done, Thunder gave a little shake and a small circular thrust of the hips. Tammy licked her lips. The guy sure knew how to thrust. No! Don’t go there, Tammy. She cleared her throat, feeling her cheeks burn.
“Thanks,” he sighed. “That’s so much better.”
“No problemo,” her voice had an edge that gave her nerves away. “Let’s get you back to bed.”
“Sounds good.”
She glanced at him and he winked at her. Tammy rolled her eyes. So full of shit! She had to laugh. By the time they made it back to the bed, he sounded like he’d run a couple of miles instead of shuffled two dozen or so feet.
Keeping her eyes on his, they slowly shuffle turned until his back was to the bed and then he tumbled backwards, grunting as he landed.
She ‘forgot’ not to look and … Boom! There it was and in all its long, hard glory. His cock. His erect, engorged member. It was a very good-looking cock. Of course it was. Her mouth fell open.
“I told you not to look,” Thunder smiled. It was a tired smile.
Tammy realized that her jaw still hung open. She spun around. “I can’t believe you. Please tell me that wasn’t erect. How could it be? You’re still half dead for God’s sake. You can hardly walk let alone … that.”
“It isn’t erect.” She heard the sound of the bedcovers rustling. He sounded serious. One hundred percent serious.
Tammy turned back and gasped, averting her eyes. His groin area was hairless. He had heavy sacs and a large jutting penis. Jutting, dammit! The thing sure as hell seemed to face upwards and it was too darned big not to be erect. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water and she turned back the other way.
Thunder chuckled. “I didn’t say you could turn around yet.” There were more rustling sounds. “Okay, you can look.”
He had a ‘cat that got the cream’ smug look on his face. He didn’t look in the least bit worried that Tammy had seen him naked. No modesty indeed.
Her cheeks were flaming. Her nipples were tight, other places wet. As soon as she got out of this place she was going to a bar and getting herself laid. Nadia had been after her for months about it. Her best friend said that it wasn’t healthy for a person to be celibate for so long. Tammy finally believed her.
It was like her eyes had a life all of their own because they drifted to … well, there … between his legs. There was a definite bulge beneath the blanket. It took some effort to look him back in the eyes. Thunder was lying on his back, his hands folded behind his head. His brows were raised and there was a glint in his eyes. One she didn’t like.
“You were joking, right?”
“About what?” he cocked his head slightly.
“About that.” She pointed in the vicinity of his groin. Tammy couldn’t understand why she continued along this path. It was rocky and dangerous but she couldn’t help herself. She had this thing about knowing when she was right about something and not being able to back down.
-->