He glanced at my cheekbone and I turned my face. “It’s still there.”
He lifted his hand. “May I?”
I nodded and he moved my head around as he looked at the scar. “Looks like it healed well. You can always get it removed if you feel uncomfortable about it.”
“I’ve thought about it. It just reminds me of that night a lot. I tell people it’s from a car wreck so they stop asking me. It’s just ugly.”
He put his hand on my arm and looked at me seriously. “You can’t hide from your past. Whether you remove that scar or not, that night will still be there. It’s not ugly, you’re not ugly. And I doubt Holden finds it ugly. He has so many scars, seen and unseen, it’s not even funny.”
I considered that for a moment. The scars on Holden’s back had been numerous.
My eyes glanced down at Logan’s arms and he smiled. “Yeah. If you ever want to see ugly, go look up burn scarring. Do you remember that explosion at Aiden’s house last year?”
I nodded.
“Well, that left some pretty scars on me too. I’m thinking of getting a large tattoo of a topographical map. I could make the scars swamps and mountain ranges. Maybe have a treasure map and some skull and crossbones. Wouldn’t that be fun?” He flashed his eyes at me.
I laughed and stuck my tongue out at him. “Need any help at the clinic? I’m thinking of moving back.”
“Always, give me a call,” he said and stood up. “You can leave later today if Holden can behave himself. He knows how to change dressings and keep that wound healing. He’s been shot enough times.”
“Oh! I almost forgot. I met Kate. She’s very nice. She was there last night.”
The doctor went very still and blinked a couple of times. It was like he was thinking intently on something. “Yeah. She’s very nice. Kaitlyn is a good girl.”
Hmm.
“She’s young but she’s not a kid. I would guess maybe twenty-three. She’s really happy. How old are you doc?”
He smiled at me. “She’s twenty-four. And I’m old. Forget about it. See you in about a week to look at the stitches.”
I blinked innocently at him. “So that’s a maybe? You’re not interested or you’re thinking she’s not interested?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Julia, leave it be. I wouldn’t be good for her.”
Wow. Dr. Matthews was crushing on Kate.
Pet project!
He walked to the door and spoke with someone, then Holden walked back in the room. His eyes went immediately to my gown.
“Hey angel. Logan said you were causing trouble. No flirting. It’s part of the deal.”
I rolled my eyes and gestured for him to come closer.
He smiled and leaned over. “Am I that irresistible that you need another kiss?”
When he got close enough I hit him in the shoulder.
He stood up. “Hey what was that for?”
“Shut the door.”
He went over to the door and came back with his arms folded across his chest.
I let him have “the voice” as my dad called it. I had a naturally raspy singing voice that could get into some deep octaves if necessary. When I was really mad or really trying to make my point about something, I let the “the voice” out.
“What the hell were you doing?! You were HURT and decided to just carry me in the hospital? You could have been killed at the bar! You weren’t wearing a vest?”
He came closer, smiling. His eyes were smoldering with an emotion that I couldn’t define. He leaned in and slid his hand under my neck, tipping my face up.
“Mm,” he growled. “There are those claws.”
His mouth came down on mine. He sucked at my lip before forcing my mouth open with his tongue and diving in. I matched his voracity with equal measure.
He slid his hand slowly up my belly and brushed across my breast. My nipple peaked and I jerked against his touch.
He growled against my mouth. “I want you. Right here babe. But I don’t want to give some nurse a heart attack when they see you bent over the bed. And frankly, I have no idea how to take those needles out.”
My head was fuzzy. I caught half of what he was saying. My eyes were too focused on his hand against my nipple. I reached down and started rubbing at his crotch.
He let out a very long, low growl and broke off the kiss. He put his hand over mine and pumped his pelvis into my palm a couple of times. He was rock hard and I could see the strain against his pants.
“I’m going to have to take care of this. After last night and today, it’s getting painful to be around you. Wanna watch?” he smiled with a raised eyebrow.
I blinked at him and licked my lips.
He was the devil. Did I?
He stepped backwards into the bathroom that was on my left. I could still see him if he kept the door open, but he was hidden from the door to the room if anyone came in. He took off his belt and unzipped his pants slowly.
I sat up more and bit my lip. I felt myself clench low in my belly and my entire lower half felt like it was going to orgasm by just watching him.
My face was burning with the embarrassment of being curious. I had never had a man let me watch him jack off and Holden was more than willing. I suspected that very little fazed him, or caused him to blush.
He was wearing boxers. He slipped a hand into the band and pulled down with his other. The monster he gripped in his palm was long and incredibly thick. He began to stroke himself roughly. I felt a pool of wet between my thighs and clenched them together.
I bit my lip as I looked at him.
When my eyes lifted to his face he had a smug smile that said he knew how he was making me feel. Like he was torturing me on purpose. It was possessive, feral and I felt like an innocent before him.
There was a knock at the hallway door.
Holden laughed darkly and shut the bathroom door.
FUCK.
I turned toward the nurse and the smiling face of Liv as they entered.
“Miss White your pulse is a little elevated,” the nurse said to me.
Liv looked at my face and gave me a questioning glance.
I heard the shower turn on in the bathroom and groaned. My head flopped back on the pillow and I looked at the ceiling. My mind was filled with what he was doing in there. With that beast in his hand, I was surprised he even fit in the single shower stall.
The nurse puttered around for a moment and left.
Liv cleared her throat. “Shower?”
“Holden.”
She giggled. “Hmm.”
“Yeah. He’s the devil Liv.”
“He seems different around you. Not sure what it is, but it’s different. How’s your arm feeling?”
“Uhm, good. Logan said I could go today sometime. Are you and Aiden ok?”
There was a loud thud in the bathroom and what sounded like a deep cough.
I hated him. Oh, how I hated him right now.
Liv glanced at the bathroom. “Aiden and I went out the back before things got crazy. You know how he is. As soon as something looks like it might go south he’s in giant bear mode.”
“Yeah, he does.”
“So, have they talked to you about where you’re going?”
“Going? I’m staying in Lakefield.”
Liv looked around for a minute. “Uhm, no, I heard Aiden say that until they can get some of the media calmed down you’ll be somewhere else. Hopefully, it’s not Brock’s dungeon of doom. I think he may have installed poisonous gas in there as an emergency backup. Dude is wacked.”
“What do you mean the media?”
I heard the shower shut off.
“Well, after the shooting the media reported that you were shot, they even said we were shot, but whatever. Never can trust the media. So, you’re a hot topic right now on the news and internet.”
I felt my face drain of warmth. “Shit.”
“That guy that died was wacko. Had a lot of pictures up of you in his hous
e. Like ultimate crazy fan shit. Should have an award that says it or something. You should honestly Google yourself sometime. Anyway, I heard Aiden say they were going to check some things and put you somewhere safe.”
I sighed. This wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to be famous. I didn’t want my face out there necessarily. I just wanted to sing the way I wanted to and when I wanted to. Maybe sell a couple of singles and travel around. It wasn’t a glamorous dream but it was what made me happy.
My friends were in danger now because of me. That’s what worried me the most. Liv could have died at the bar. Aiden and Holden too.
I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. “Maybe I should just leave. I can just stop singing for a while. They’ll forget about me. I’m just causing trouble for everyone.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Holden said as he stepped out of the bathroom. His hair was still wet and the asshole had a slight smile on his face when he looked at me.
He turned and nodded to Liv.
“But it’s my fault this happened and now I’m all over the news? What the fuck, Holden?”
His face was closed down but his eyes burned into mine. “You’re not leaving. End of discussion.”
He lifted his phone to his ear and walked out of the room.
Liv watched him go. “Maybe he isn’t totally different.”
I shrugged. It was just Holden.
If it was just sex that he wanted before I left, then that wasn’t a reason to stay. I knew Liv wanted me at her wedding but what if I put all of them in danger?
Chapter Six
Checking out of the hospital had a lot easier than I had expected. It helped that my best friend’s fiancé was a major benefactor. Every time I signed something or talked to anyone they were more than happy to help.
Olivia had thankfully brought me a change of clothing, although I questioned her choice. She had said it was for my comfort in traveling, but I got the distinct impression she had chosen the items more for Holden’s viewing rather than my needs. The white t-shirt had a deep v-neck and felt slightly snug. She had paired that with a black, knee length cotton skirt that was stretchy but also fit snugly to my curves. The odd choice, that I was a little confused about, was the pink flannel shirt she had handed me. Not necessarily my style but I took it anyway. With a little bit of makeup help and a brush, I had felt at least decent.
“Call me later!” She had winked at me and handed me what looked like the latest phone on the market. It was a little fancier than what I was used to but it was at least a phone.
Logan came back briefly with instructions on meds and care of my injury. He and Holden had some terse words in the hallway outside the door, half of which I hadn’t been able to hear. What I had heard, sounded like an argument about where I was going and chances of infection. They hadn’t told me anything so I was a little confused by the entire exchange.
A bit later, Cade, Logan and Holden had gotten into some other verbal, possibly physical, confrontation at some point by the amount of noise they were causing. I heard several nurses yelling at them and something crashing onto the floor.
Men. Thank goodness for patient nurses.
All three of them came back in the door after whatever argument they had been in. Holden came over to the side of my bed and crossed his arms over his chest.
“You got another present from whatever stalker is leaving you love notes and roses.
I shook my head. “But wasn’t that the same guy that you just shot?”
Cade answered. “Apparently not. Guy at the bar was just some idiot groupie type. Little more obsessed than normal, but we’re certain he’s not the one that’s sending you messages.”
Holden sighed. “So, Brock has found the guy that was involved in the harassment suit. Lucky for you he moved on to his next target. Unfortunately for him, his next would-be victim had a shotgun when he broke into her home. Oh and by the way, we’re now checking your home with your father’s help.”
I winced at the news. The guy had been young. I had just figured he would learn his lesson and move on.
“So, what about the guy with the flowers?”
Holden looked at Cade for a fraction of a second and then back at me. “Still working on that. I’m sure he’ll pop up on Brock’s radar eventually.”
Logan spoke up and addressed Holden. “I’m going to advise one more time that you stay in Lakefield or go somewhere else that has close medical services.”
Holden nodded toward the door but didn’t reply to him. All three of them left again.
I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like dealing with those three, much less Aiden, in a group that had all been housed together in their youth. I didn’t know Brock but it was likely a good supposition that he was much the same. It struck me that they acted more like bickering siblings in some ways. Which was good in some sense, given that they had all served together but bad because they all seemed to have overbearing attitudes.
Cade stuck his head in the door briefly and offered me a job before he left. He had given me a funny look and wished me well dealing with Holden. I wasn’t quite sure what he meant but it was a nice gesture anyway.
By the time we left, the sun was going down and the nurses looked relieved they wouldn’t have to deal with Logan, Holden or Cade anymore for a while.
Holden drove us to an airport with a private plane that was waiting. Even though I had pressured him like a professional interrogator the entire ride, he had refused to tell me about our destination.
The plane was already in the air when he finally gave up.
“Woman. You are the most stubborn person I have ever met.”
He was sitting beside me, tightening my seat belt like he was afraid if I fell out of the seat I would cause permanent damage and possibly kill myself.
He leaned my seat back for me.
I swatted at his hand. “Holden, I’m good. I don’t think cutting off circulation to my legs would help at this point and I can adjust my own seat.”
He eyed the belt again. “Just making sure you’re safe. You should take a nap. Too bad we don’t have duct tape in here, I would use it on your mouth.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Where are we going?”
“My dad’s house. It’s in New Mexico. Short flight, then some driving.”
My eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. Not that I thought he was raised by wolves, but this seemed like an interesting choice. It might be nice to visit. I had traveled through the state but hadn’t had the opportunity to stop for long anywhere. I could do some shopping. Check out the local areas.
He started messing with my sling.
“Cut it out. I’m fine. Really. You’re so obsessive compulsive.”
He shrugged. “I’m exact. There’s a difference. It’s a requirement of the job to be exact or people might die and it just works for my personality. Did Olivia give you the phone earlier?”
“Yeah,” I said, thinking. “The spice rack wasn’t so totally messed up that you had to fix it. It was just a couple of bottles. You have to admit that was a little obsessive.”
He laughed. “No, but I like things in order in my house. I didn’t have to fix it but it was a good excuse to make you squirm. And, babe, you squirmed. Totally worth it. I liked seeing those eyes of yours on me today at the hospital too. You were about to fall out of the bed.”
I laid my head back on the seat envisioning what he had done. “You’re the devil.”
He chuckled. “Only with you. You liked it.”
“I did not. I was just surprised. I still hate you.”
He leaned toward me and lifted his hand to my face. He ran his lips across mine.
My traitorous body melted and my mouth opened on its own.
He leaned back and looked at me. “Want me to kiss you?”
“No,” I mumbled.
“Liar.”
I did. Gawd, I wanted him to, but it was such a bad idea getting involved with him.
> We were opposites in so many ways. He was so infuriating and mischievous. He was a hard man, closed off most of the time, and so utterly dominant. He struck me as the type of person that thrived on adrenaline and aggressiveness rather than a love of life.
It seemed like I was a lot softer in ways that would just annoy him. I would pester him just to rattle his orderly world. My friends had always told me I had a soft heart with a loud personality. I really was stubborn, but had a free-loving spirit and loved so many different things. He seemed so rigid. It might crush me to fit into his world.
He leaned further in to whisper my ear. “Angel, I’ll make you burn one of these days when I’m buried to the hilt inside of you. Try telling me no then. I won’t believe you then or ten years from now. You’ll be begging me.”
His breath was sending tingles through my body that made me shiver. He smelled faintly like soap and a lot like his own musky scent.
“Never,” I whispered.
“Should I tell you what I was thinking about in the shower? Watching your face when I cum in you. Watching you take my cock hard. Hearing you scream. It’s made me hard as a rock for the last year thinking about it.”
My mind was reeling with the images he was giving me. I was instantly burning. Deep in my stomach I clenched with the thought of it.
He kissed gently at my earlobe and down my neck. One of his hands slipped over my legs and up my thigh to take hold my hip. His fingers hooked into the band of my skirt and tickled the skin there.
He nipped at my jaw with his teeth. His wet mouth and tongue ran along a sensitive spot beside my ear.
I let out a whimper and started breathing in short pants.
His wandering hand slipped down my leg again and found the hem of my skirt. It slipped inside and I felt the course skin of his palm slide up my thigh.
My legs parted slightly, loving the feel of him.
When his hand reached the edge of my panties I was nearly hyperventilating. He dipped a finger over them and rubbed against my clit.
“You’re wet babe. You might be saying no but your body is saying yes.”
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