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I looked down, too ashamed to meet his eye. Ashamed that we’d fallen into the assaulted girl category. Ashamed I couldn’t do more to defend myself and my friend.
“Let me see,” he said, his voice hard.
My head shot up. His usually bright eyes were dark and looked to be barely restraining his rage.
“I’m fine.”
“Let. Me. See.”
Taking a deep breath, I shed my coat and exposed my arm. I think we were both shocked to find dried blood that had dripped down my elbow and a decent gash.
“Mother fuck,” he muttered.
I almost laughed. Dr. Pierce was light and happy when he taught, and in my slightly manic state, his cursing was funny somehow.
“Follow me. We have a first aid kit in the department.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do—”
“Oaklyn, please.”
Despite his anger, his eyes seemed pained.
“Okay,” I agreed, not hating the idea of him tending to me.
I followed him into the building. We didn’t speak at all until we reached his office.
“Take your jacket off. I’ll be right back.” His voice seemed brusque and loud after the silence.
I did as he asked and sat in the chair in front of his desk. When he returned, he carried a first aid kit and sat in the chair next to me. While he searched for what he was looking for, I looked him over. He’d lost the tie he usually wore in classes, leaving a few buttons open, exposing a smattering of chest hair that screamed masculinity. It was crazy, but I had to fight to keep from leaning forward and touching it. His hair was more mussed than usual. Like he’d spent the evening running his frustrated fingers through it. It was a good look on him.
“Alright,” he said. “Turn a bit so I can see.”
When he got a good look at the injury, his eyes closed, and he swallowed hard. His concern caused a burning behind my eyes. How long had it been since someone had been upset by my pain? Maybe I missed my family more than I thought.
“It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“It’s going to look worse tomorrow,” he said through a clenched jaw. “This is going to hurt a bit.”
His long fingers wrapped behind my arm, brushing against the tender skin, sending goose bumps down my arm and up my neck. It was the first time he’d touched me, and the heat from his skin seemed to burn the memory into my brain. The light pressure was more erotic than any touch I’d ever had. Was it only the forbidden aspect? The fact that I couldn’t have him, made every touch all the more intense?
Suddenly, I sucked air in through my teeth as he wiped around the wound with alcohol and then poured peroxide over it. Instead of erotic tingles from his touch, the fiery burn had my own jaw clenching.
“Sorry,” he whispered. Gritting my teeth, I nodded as he continued. “So, what exactly happened tonight?”
“We went to a frat party,” I said, shrugging like it explained everything.
“Did anyone . . .” I could hear his deep breath before he spoke again. “Did anyone touch either of you? In any other way.”
“No, not really. Olivia was dancing with this guy and he got a little more handsy than she wanted, so I came over to try and rescue her.” I laughed humorlessly at how dumb I sounded. In hindsight, it was stupid to think I was going to make a difference. “Thank god for some of the guys we knew there. They stepped in after my rescue attempt failed.”
I shook my head, recalling the night. Frustrated with how it all had played out. “There were so many people who did nothing. Just stood there as he threatened to-to rape her.”
His hand clenched around my arm, and I jerked. “Ow.”
“I’m sorry. So, sorry,” Dr. Pierce said. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was taking heavy breaths, looking like he was trying to collect himself. When he noticed me staring, he grabbed a Band-Aid. “You should report it.”
Another humorless laugh. “There’s no point. Nothing actually happened, and no one would be able to do anything.” I furrowed my brows at the sad truth. “That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.”
I looked over my shoulder again. He looked up as he stretched the last Band-Aid on my arm. His eyes shot through me, so intense with how close we were. So blue, I felt like I could drown in them. The Band-Aids were in place, yet he hadn’t moved away. My heart was beating double-time, pumping a fiery heat through me.
“If you ever find yourself in a situation like that again, you can ask me for help.”
His eyes flicked my lips as I slicked my tongue across them.
“Thank you,” I said on a breath, dropping my eyes to his mouth. Maybe if I leaned in a little closer, he’d meet me halfway. My eyes began to droop closed, my mouth drawn to his.
