Page 51 of Sudden Summer

Beau

I’d managed to get some food in her the first time she’d woken up after her nap, even if it was just a little soup. Her fucking neck looked terrible, but she said it wasn’t bothering her as much as her wrist and ankle being immobilized. The meds were still keeping things foggy for her, and I was honestly grateful.

Travis: Need to call the vet, boss.

Fuck. That message coming in from one of the guys was never good.

Travis: Got some of the cattle looking like they caught pink eye.

You separate them from the rest of the herd?

Travis: Yup. Got them back to the barn for quarantine. Just spoke to Boss Sr. and he’s calling over to get someone out ASAP. Told me to keep you in the loop.

Thanks, man. Let me know what the vet says and keep an eye on the rest of the herd. That shit spreads fast.

Travis: You got it.

“Can I take a bath?”

I set my phone down, not expecting to see Birdie’s eyes back open.

“Hey, sleepyhead. I didn’t think you’d be back awake so soon.”

She shook her head. “I think I was starting to dream about…this morning. I don’t want to keep…”

I reached out, sweeping some of her hair that had fallen out of the bun I’d helped her put it in earlier over her shoulder.

“Give me one sec, I’ll get the bath ready for you.” I pushed myself out of the bed, looking back over my shoulder when I heard her yawn. There was more color in her cheeks, which was great. But hearing the way her voice caught when she mentioned her dream…God, it fucking gutted me.

The water from the faucet almost drowned out the hatred I felt in my stomach for the unknown bastard who’d taken the light from her eyes. I was still hunched over, pouring a cap-full of the body wash she kept in my shower to use as a make-shift bubble bath when I felt her hand resting on my back.

“I would have carried you in here,” I groaned, seeing her rest all of her weight on her uninjured leg.

“And I don’t need you to do that.”

My fingers brushed up her arms. I kept my touch light, barely there, so she could get away if it was too much. But I should have known better. Because in an instant, she was pressing herself against my body, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist.

“Can you help me get undressed?” she asked as the temperature in the room spiked with the citrus scent of her body wash. “I still feel a bit wobbly from the medicine.”

“Of course I can.” My fingers moved to the hem of the zip up, slipping under to touch the soft, warm skin of her hips. I’d seen and cataloged every bump and bruise on her when I helped her change earlier, so why was every inch of my body shaking with nerves right now?

“You don’t have to,” she said softly, but as soon as my eyes snapped back to her face, I instantly knew the reason for her hesitation.

“Birdie, I⁠—”

“No. I understand. You and I…we haven’t…seen each other completely naked yet. And I get that I’m battered and I’m bruised. If you don’t want to look at me like this, if you don’t want to touch me…”

I just shook my head as I reached for the zipper of the hoodie I’d wrapped her up in. Once that was done and out of my way, I slipped my hands under the fabric at her shoulder and encouraged it down her arms until it fell to the floor. Birdie turned, the clasps for her bra now right in front of me.

I fucking held my breath, knowing I couldn’t mess this moment up. I wanted her to know she was always safe with me. Whether she was feeling confident, or especially when she was hurt and feeling vulnerable. But when I slipped the straps down her arms and took the bra away, Birdie didn’t turn back to face me.

“Turn around, Chickadee,” I groaned, hoping my dick would get the message that now was not the time to get excited about seeing her naked.

“I’m sad this is how you’re seeing me naked for the first time. Now every time you look at my body, all you’re going to think about is how broken I am in this moment,” she whispered, not turning around.

“There is nothing broken about the woman standing in front of me. Not one single thing. You are the strongest woman I know, and it’s an honor that you trust me to be here while you’re not feeling your best. But baby, there will be nothing but awe, and love, and probably some damn lust because I can’t fucking control it, when you turn around and look into my eyes.” I settled my hands against her hips. “Turn around, Birdie.”

She turned, her eyes staying closed as she turned to face me. I kept my eyes on her face.