It wouldn’t be the first time I’d done it.
I didn’t stop until I had her settled on the counter before I knelt in front of her so I could inspect her foot. One hand on the outside of her calf as I carefully studied her sole.
She winced, though she didn’t make a sound as I gently prodded the flesh.
“It’s not that deep,” I rumbled, though it was a hundred percent in relief. “Don’t think stitches are going to be required.”
“See, I told everyone it was fine.” She huffed it, though her hands were clinging to the edge of the counter.
Not close to fine and it didn’t have anything to do with her injury.
I met her gaze.
Was trapped by it, really.
“You protected them.” Could barely get the words out around the dryness of my mouth, and they still sounded like praise.
“I…” Her tongue stroked over her lips. “I can’t bear the thought of someone getting to them. I don’t even know them and…”
She trailed off. Unable to vocalize this thing that neither of us could understand.
“He’s gone?” she finally asked again, though quieter, like it was a secret she was asking me to trust her with.
“He’s gone.”
“He wants to take him back?” She gulped around the fear. Like it was hers as much as it was mine.
Disquiet rolled with the hate. “He just wants money.”
Her brow pinched. “Did you give it to him?”
I stared up at her from where I was knelt on a single knee, still clinging to the side of her calf. “He’s never taking anything from me again.”
Understanding passed between us. Fierce and vehement.
Mutual respect and something deeper.
I could barely move as I forced myself to stand and go to the cabinet where I pulled out the first aid kit and a fresh washcloth, my guts a tangle as I warmed it under water then knelt back in front of her.
Tenderly lifting her foot so I could clean it.
Those eyes were on me the whole time.
Sifting and penetrating and cutting me through.
Her skin so fucking soft and her spirit so fucking right.
Bright and blinding and a little dark. I wanted to explore every facet. See what made her glow and discover what had caused the hardened places.
I dabbed ointment on the cut then fully wrapped her foot so it would be secure.
I looked up at her.
Found the awed, confused expression on her gorgeous face.
And there was nothing I could do but turn my head and press my lips just to the inside of her knee and whisper, “Thank you.”
The roar of motorcycles filled the heavy summer night. Humidity clinging to the air and sweat drenching my skin.
