He took her hand and brought it up to his lips. Brushing his lips over her knuckles, he smiled. "Does that mean you've made peace with your misplaced sense of pride, Zoe?"
"Yeah, I guess it does."
"Marry me then."
"Jonas, I—"
"I mean it Zoe. If you've gotten over your problems, marry me."
"We'll talk about it when we get home, promise."
Gutted, he let go of her hand and closed his eyes. When she had called out to him, he knew that they had crossed the boundaries she had put between them. Why else was it Zoe and not one of the workers or Brandon who had come looking for him if she didn't want him? It didn't make sense to him. He loved her and they still had the same sexual chemistry they had when they were younger. Hell, even when she was sick she couldn't keep her hands off him. There has to be more to this than she is telling me. Just let me get out of here and I will find out what it is.
The buzz of the night insects were the only noise as darkness fell. Jonas tried to sleep and eventually exhaustion overcame him and he floated away.
****
He jolted awake when a high pitched whistle pierced the air.
"Bran's here," Zoe croaked out with her sleepy voice. She shuffled around and slid out of the chopper.
Jonas watched her as she came around to his side and cupped her hands to her mouth. The whistle that came from her diminutive figure never ceased to amaze him. She could let rip with the best of them. The answering whistle got closer and soon Brandon was pulling up beside the chopper with a look of relief on his face leading a spare horse loaded with saddle bags.
"Jeesh, mate. You scared the fuck out of us." He dropped to the ground from his horse and leaned in the doorway. "Looks like Zoe fixed you up alright."
"Yes, she did a great job." Jonas turned in his seat. "I need a hand, mate, if you don't mind."
Brandon grasped him by his good arm and slid one hand around his waist to help him to the ground. Jonas swayed slightly and breathed through the head rush that followed.
"Fuck, that's just weird. Just give me a minute will you." He closed his eyes and leaned on his friend until his head came back to normal.
He was acutely aware of Zoe standing beside the horses watching him. It took all of his strength to avoid her gaze. He didn't want her to see the need or hurt his eyes. None of this was going the way he wanted it to. It was going to be a hard ride home in more ways than one.
Once steady he started to walk around easing the stiffness in his legs. He ignored the quiet conversation between Brandon and Zoe and took the time to inspect the chopper. There were going to some questions asked when he was fit enough to contact the salesman who had raved about their strong reputation and reliable machines.
He turned to Brandon. "Let's do this. No point in delaying the trip home."
"Do you want me to get you a shot before you go, to take the edge off the pain?" Zoe asked.
"No thanks, but we'll take them with us. If you could get them, I'd appreciate it."
"Sure." He watched her go through the first aid kit and hold up the morphine vials and needles.
"That's them, thanks."
Brandon was watching them with his eyebrow raised and Jonas shook his head. Bran shrugged his shoulders and whistled for the horses. "Okay, how about I help you up?"
"Lucky it's my left arm so I should be alright with just a leg up."
He passed Jonas the reins and stood with him while he lifted his foot into the stirrup. When Jonas tried to lift himself up Brandon leaned in and heaved him up keeping his hands on Jonas' back to steady him.
His head swam dangerously and Jonas thought he would throw up. Sitting still he breathed through his mouth until the feeling subsided.
"You going to be alright? I can ride with you," Brandon said a frown marring his forehead.
"No, too much for the horse."
"Zoe can. She's light enough."
"I'll be fine. Stop fussing." Jonas pulled the reins up ready to go.
Zoe hung her head and walked to get her Drizabone. She jammed her hat on her head and grabbed the saddle from under the belly of the chopper. Quietly she saddled her horse and mounted up. Turning back to the track she headed off her back straight and her lips tight.
Jonas followed with Brandon close behind him and concentrated on staying on his horse.
****
"No major damage to that thick skull of yours. Nothing a few stitches won't fix." Dr. Bob looked over his glasses at the x-ray then peered at Jonas. "I do need to pin that arm though. Tell Zoe good job restraining it so there wasn't more damage but it's not as clean a break as you thought, sorry." He wrote on the chart and looked back up. "I'll get onto theatre and see when we can do it. Should be today or tomorrow though at the latest. " He left humming to himself.
Jonas lay back in the bed exhausted and disappointed it wasn't as he thought. Brandon walked in and sat down in the chair beside him. "So, what's the verdict then?"
"I have to have the arm pinned. Hopefully today. Doc just has to check with theatre."
"And?"
"What?"
"What happened with Zoe? I know something went down because you could cut the air with a knife out there. I kind of figured you guys would have patched it up by now." Brandon leaned in and gazed at Jonas with a grin an expectant on his face.
"Me too. I asked her to marry me. It seems she doesn't see herself as Mrs. Ward after all. I guess I read too much into it."
"Mate, I'm sorry. I don't understand it at all."
"Don't let it worry you. I tried and failed. It's just the way it is I suppose."
The door opened and Dr. Bob walked in briskly. "Okay, here's the deal. The theatre is free this afternoon. You will and I repeat will be staying in overnight."
"Got it Doc. Thanks."
The door closed behind him.
"I may as well go back to the farm and see how things are going then. Anything you want me to bring in tonight for you?"
"No. I'm sure they can spring for a toothbrush."
"Okay then. I'll be back in the morning with clean clothes for you when they let you leave. Get them to give me a call." Brandon messed up Jonas' hair and grinning, walked out.
****
"Mr. Ward? Can you hear me?"
Jonas struggled to open his eyes. He pushed at the oxygen prongs in his nose but a hand grabbed his and eased it away.
"Just leave that for now will you. Just some oxygen until you wake up fully." Someone straightened his blankets and took his wrist. The blood pressure cuff on his arm inflated and released again when it beeped.
"That all looks fine. I just need you to open your eyes, Mr. Ward. You need to wake up now."
He forced his eyes open and looked around the recovery room. A nurse sat beside him with a chart in her hands.
"How are you feeling?"
"How did it go?" He tried to swallow but found his mouth dry.
"Dr. Bob is very happy with how it went actually. He will be back in later tonight to see you."
"I need a drink."
"I'll get you some ice chips. When you wake up properly you can have some tea and a plate of sandwiches."
Jonas rubbed his hand over his face and screwed up his nose. His mouth was dry and pasty from the anesthetic. When the nurse handed him a cup of ice chips he immediately sucked them in relishing the cold slipping fluid down his throat.
By the time he was back in his own room it was dark. Dr. Bob made his visit and pronounced the operation a success. He would check in again in the morning and sign release forms for Jonas to go home.
"Thanks, Doc."
"No worries. Sleep well."
Jonas fell asleep easily but woke several times in a cold sweat. He was losing altitude and couldn't stop the free fall.
A warm hand swept the damp hair from his forehead. "Shhh, rest. You're safe now."
He tossed and turned, crying out when he tried to roll over on his broken arm. A weight settled beside him
and he leaned into it falling back into a disturbed sleep.
Chapter Eleven
The squeaking of the tea trolley wheels woke him. Startled he looked around until he remembered where he was. Snuggled into the side of him was Zoe. She was sound asleep, her hair messed up and a line of drool running down the side of her mouth.
He reached a finger out and stroked a stray hair from her face. She twitched and screwed up her nose but didn't wake. Jonas would be happy to lay and watch her sleep for the rest of the day but she would wake soon and he wasn't sure what he was going to say after she'd evaded his marriage proposal.
There was a tap on the door and the tea lady popped her head in the door. "Cup of tea, love?"
"Please," Jonas replied. "Can you make that two?"
"Sure, love."
****
At the sound of voices, Zoe stirred. She brought up a hand and wiped it over her face. She screwed up her nose when she made contact with the moisture coming from the corner of her mouth.
"Morning."
The rich tone of Jonas' voice probed her sleep-fogged brain.
Crap!
She wanted to be gone when he woke up in the morning. This was going to be awkward.
"Hi."
"Here's your tea, lovey." The happy woman placed two cups on the table beside his bed, moving it closer so they could reach their tea. "How sweet, your wife stayed with you last night."
"Yes, isn't she wonderful." Jonas patted Zoe on the bum leaving his hand cupping her in a possessive gesture.
She leaned up, shuffled to the edge of the bed and put her feet down. Waiting until the door closed before she stood and turned to Jonas.
"Look, I'm sorry. I meant to be gone before you woke up. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." A bitter laugh crept out before she could stop it. "I didn't mean to hurt you Jonas, you know that."
"How do I know, Zoe? You won't talk to me and tell me why. Maybe now is a good time, don't you think?"
"Look I copped enough from Brandon and Pete over this, I really don't need you going off too." She turned from him jammed her hands in her back pockets and looked out the window. "I love you more than you know, I never stopped loving you if the truth be told. It's just that I don't think I'm good for you."
Jonas snorted and she turned. He was throwing the blankets from the bed. He swung his legs around and stood, losing his balance and falling in a heap before Zoe could get back to him.
"Jonas." She dropped to the floor and grabbed his face in her hands. "See, look what happens when we try to talk. Are you hurt?"
"My pride has taken a beating but that is nothing new when it comes to me and you Zoe. My head just went a little light and I fell. No big deal."
She put her arm around his waist and helped him up. Zoe sat him on the side of the bed, holding his arm until he looked stable.
"Perhaps you could expand on that statement."
Zoe blushed under his steady hard gaze and stepped out of his reach. "I don't trust you enough to marry you."
"Me or yourself? You might want to give some thought to the answer."
"Okay, I can't trust myself. See, you know what I mean." She growled and frowned at him. "I should have believed you years ago but I didn't and I don't know if something like that happened again if I would trust you." She looked at him from across the room.
"Why on earth would something happen again? And just for the record here, if you do marry me why would I even be in that position?" He was getting angry and she took another step back.
"It's happened before and it can happen again. It's not just you either. I shouldn't have doubted you but I did. You deserve better." She knew it sounded weak to her own ears but it was the only reason she could give him without telling him everything.
"Do you really love me, Zoe?"
"Yes."
"Do you want me?"
She held her arms over her breasts tight, her nipples hardening with anticipation, the knowing look between them igniting the sexual tension just simmering under the surface. "But, you aren't well."
"I'm fine. That was a momentary thing. Do you want me?"
"Yes," she replied in a small voice. The sexual tension bounced between then when he looked at her melting her insides.
"Will you go in the bathroom and strip off and wait for me?"
"Yes."
"Go, I'll lock the door. Turn on the shower."
Zoe hurried from the room, her breath coming in fast pants. He had the knack of making her as horny as hell and she loved it. How on earth she had survived without him for so long amazed her.
She stripped off her clothes and turned on the water. It was cool in the bathroom and her nipples puckered up in anticipation of sex in the hospital. This was one game that turned her on, sex in places where they shouldn't but couldn't resist having it.
When the door opened she dropped her gaze to the floor so he couldn't see the need in her eyes. The hospital gown that Jonas was wearing hit the floor and he stepped over to her.
He cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face to his. Zoe leaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his waist pulling their bodies together. Her hands slid down to cradle his butt and she rolled her hips into his erection.
Zoe teased his lips with her tongue, sighing in pleasure as the fire heated between her thighs. She pushed Jonas against the cool tiles and grinned at him. "Lean back and hold the bathroom rail, I don't want you falling again."
When he did as she requested, she slid down his body to kneel before him. She looked up before taking him in her mouth. Grinning at the noises coming from his throat, Zoe grated her teeth over the ridge of his cock. Twirling her tongue over the tip she lunged and sucked him deep into her mouth. Lifting her hands, she cupped his butt again and pulled him closer, feasting on him.
Jonas thrust into her mouth holding her head as his climax built. Before he could lose control he pulled away and pulled her to her feet. Zoe turned her back on him and held onto the bathroom sink, spreading her legs for him.
****
When he slid his hand under her butt he found her already wet. Sliding in a finger he worked her clit with his thumb as she pushed into his hand. The noises coming from Zoe made his cock jerk and he knelt down on the floor and tilted her ass up. His tongue traced the crack of her butt down to her throbbing pussy. She squealed when he dove his tongue inside her and started to thrust against him. Within seconds her muscles were clenching around his tongue and she was moaning and panting, her juices flowing.
Jonas stood and holding her hips high with his good hand he drove his cock into her. Zoe held onto the sink, her pussy throbbing around him as he exploded inside her.
He leaned over her back, kissing the damp skin along her spine as she lay over the sink. When they got their breath back, he pulled out of her and held her close. He stroked her hair and nipped at her lips with his teeth.
"I think you trust me more than you know," he said grinning at her. "Under the water woman of mine."
He cradled her under the warm water, keeping his plastered arm out of the spray like a wounded bird. Jonas let her soap his body in case he had another light-headed moment. Flicking off the tap, Zoe wrapped a towel around herself and then patted him dry. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving and the breakfast should be along soon."
She picked a clean gown from the pile on a shelf inside the bathroom and helped him to dress. Taking his arm, Zoe led him back to bed. "I'll just be a minute."
She ducked back into the bathroom and when she came out she was dressed again.
"Breakfast, just as you wished," Jonas said.
"Oh my, that was well timed." She blushed and looked away.
"Come and eat before it gets cold. Doc should be here soon and then you can take me home."
Dr. Bob came in just as they were finished their breakfast and Jonas leaned over to wipe the egg from Zoe's chin. Doc smiled and looked between the two of them, his eyes sparkling.
"Hear
you had company last night. How's the arm feeling?"
"Great, you did a wonderful job as usual."
"Hmm, I suspect you will say anything to get home. Let me look at you." He checked the movement of Jonas' fingers, checked his vitals and pronounced him free to leave.
"Before you go, don't forget I want you back in about three days, Zoe to get those stitches out."
"Sure, Doc."
He signed the chart and with a wave, left them alone.
"Take me home, Zoe." Jonas leaned back on the pillows, looking at her. "This place hems me in."
"Um, you might want to get dressed first. I brought you some clean clothes though. Do you need a hand."
Jonas looked at her face, coyly tilted to one side. "What do you think?"
Zoe helped him into clean clothes, running her fingers over his naked skin as she dressed him sending all sorts of signals to his brain.
"We will sort this out when we get home, don't even doubt that." He noticed the way her mouth tightened at his words but he was determined to deal with it once and for all.
"No. Let’s have it out before we go then while there is just the two of us." She walked away from him and leaned against the window sill, her arms folded and a frown marring her forehead.
"Why won't you marry me?"
"I told you, I don't deserve you. I let you down once and look what happened to us. Ten years wasted." She shook her head and her eyes filled with tears. "We can never get that back."
"We were young, we made mistakes. Deal with it, Zoe." He was getting sick of the same excuse. "Fuck, I made mistakes. Do you blame me for them?"
"It's not the same. Don't you understand? I blew it big time. I failed you and myself. Sorry if it doesn't mean much to you but I get sick every time I think of what I did to you. I can't forgive myself, Jonas. That is the problem."
"That is your problem, Zoe. You have to let go. Geesh if I held onto every mistake I made, I would be a wreck. I forgive you for any and every mistake you ever made. Learn from it and move on."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because there is something I never told you and I'm not really sure how to do it now."
Outback Thunder Page 12