“Your grandmother is not the one carrying a child in a dusty, unsafe basement when she should be home resting.” He was pacing now, the restlessness coiling in his gut, a snake threatening to strike. “You’re being stubborn and reckless.”
“And you’re being arrogant and overbearing.” She crossed her arms over her chest, which unfortunately only drew his attention to the lush curves beneath her dress. “I appreciate your concern, Doctor. I truly do. But it’s misplaced. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.” He stopped in front of her, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous rumble. “You’re exhausted. You’re in pain. And you’re alone down here where anything could happen.”
The words hung between them, charged with meaning.
I don’t need you, her posture screamed, even as her eyes flickered with something vulnerable.
Hyde howled his disagreement. The beast inside him didn’t see a capable, independent woman. He saw a mate in need of protection, a female carrying their—her—young into a dangerous world, a world they needed to make safe. The urge to pick her up and carry her out of there, to take her home and tend to her needs was so overwhelming he had to lock his knees to keep from acting on it.
He forced himself to breathe, to focus on something concrete besides the overwhelming scent of her. The dust motes dancing in the single beam of light. The water stain spreading like a dark continent across the ceiling tiles. The rusted latch on the far window that looked as if it hadn’t been opened in fifty years. A hundred hazards, and she was standing in the middle of them as if this place were a sanctuary.
“Look,” she said, her voice softer now, a truce offering. “It’s been a long day. I’m tired, you’re… intense. Let’s just agree to disagree about this job, and I’ll go home and get some rest. Okay?”
He wanted to refuse. He wanted to stand his ground until she saw reason, until she admitted he was right and she was beingreckless. But her eyes held a plea that he found impossible to ignore, even with Hyde roaring in his ears.
“Fine,” he bit out. “For now.”
“Thank you.” Her shoulders relaxed a fraction. “I just need to pack up my things.”
He watched as she bent down to retrieve a worn leather purse from beside the box she’d been sorting. The movement was too quick, too sharp. A soft cry of pain escaped her lips and her hand flew to her lower back, her body freezing in place.
Before he could stop himself, he was at her side. “Don’t move.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, though her voice was strained. “Just… a twinge.”
“Let me see.”
“Doctor, there’s nothing to?—”
“Let. Me. See.”
The quiet authority in his voice finally cut through her stubbornness. She dropped her hand, her face pale in the dim light. His fingers hovered over the fabric of her dress, inches from the small of her back. He could feel the heat radiating from her skin, and Hyde growled in approval. Gently, carefully, he pressed his fingers against the tense muscles.
She gave a soft gasp at his touch, then slowly relaxed into it. Her warmth seeped into his hand, a current flowing straight to his groin. He pushed the feeling down, focusing on the knots of muscle bunched beneath his fingers.
“Your lumbar muscles are in knots,” he said, his voice husky. “Probably from overexertion combined with the added weight ofthe pregnancy. And this floor is freezing.” He shifted his gaze, noting the cold concrete with fresh anger.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, though she leaned slightly into his touch as he worked his thumb in a slow, deliberate circle, easing the tense muscles.
“No, you’re not.” He had to force himself not to pull her flush against him, to press his face into the fragrant softness of her hair. He settled for moving his other hand to the sweet curve of her hip, steadying her as he massaged her back.
“Easy,” he murmured. “I’m just going to help the muscles relax. Don’t fight me.”
Her body softened against his, and for a breathtaking second, she leaned back against him. Her scent filled his senses, a dizzying, intoxicating perfume. Hyde surged, a wave of possessive lust so powerful it almost broke his control.
Mine.
He bit back a growl and forced himself to release her, stepping back so quickly she almost stumbled. He caught her arm, his grip tighter than he’d intended.
“Sorry,” he bit out.
Her eyes were wide and her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t pull away. “It’s all right.”
“We need to get you out of here.” His voice was rough. “Can you walk?”
“Of course. I’m just stiff.”
