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Laila shivered in the semi-dark, wrapping her arms around herself, terribly aware that she wore only her bra and a tiny pair of panties.
With a curse, he yanked the drape shut and tossed her one of his big T-shirts. “Put this on and don’t say a word.”
She did as she was told. His anger was too palpable to defy him.
The sudden knock made her gasp. She scampered to the shadows and listened as Trees yanked the door open.
“Howdy, we heard gunshots and saw you carrying someone here. Y’all okay?” said what sounded like an older man with a thick Southern accent.
“Fine. My wife went walking and stumbled into a pack of coyotes.”
“They can be a problem around here. She didn’t know?” A gray head appeared in the door, scanning the inside.
Laila shrank back, trying to disappear into the shadows of the bedroom.
“She’s not from around here. Thankfully, she wasn’t bitten, just got a few scratches when she fell. Probably needs some first aid, so if you’ll excuse me…”
“My wife is a retired nurse. I can send her over—”
“Thank you, but we’re fine. She just needs a few bandages and a good night’s sleep.”
“Are you sure?” The old man tried to look like an affable good ol’ boy. “I think my wife would rest a whole lot easier if she got a look at your missus.”
“My wife is very shy and would prefer privacy. But we appreciate the offer.”
“How about in the morning?”
“We’ll be gone early. Good night.” Trees slammed the door.
Laila winced. Since he had done little to allay the man’s suspicions, they would definitely have to flee well before sunrise.
But she stopped worrying about that when Trees stalked down the middle of the vehicle and headed straight for her like a man on a mission.
To punish her for running away?
When he reached the bedroom, she retreated to a corner and watched as he opened a closet and withdrew a black case. “Come here.”
What would he do? How much would it hurt?
Laila had never been a coward, and she wasn’t about to start now. But oddly, it wasn’t his physical show of anger she feared. It was his tongue lashing.
Slowly, arms clutched in front of her, she made her way toward him.
“Shirt off. Lie down. Arms at your sides.”
She shuddered but complied.
With an angry huff, Trees flipped on the bedside light. “Where does it hurt most?”
Everywhere, to be honest. She felt as if her entire body had been abraded by steel wool until she bled.
“M-my thighs.”
Grimly, he nodded. “Stay here.”
He stomped into the bathroom and flipped on the water. Minutes later, he returned with a warm, damp towel. Laila expected him to drag it across her raw, sensitive skin to teach her a lesson. Instead, he gently settled the cloth over her scrapes.
He wasn’t punishing her but rendering first aid?
When she tensed at the sting, he cupped her shoulder. “I know, little one. But we’ve got to get you clean so infection doesn’t set in.”
He repeated the process twice more, pausing to pluck out pieces of bark and splinters meticulously before he cleaned the area. Then he opened the black case and rummaged through first aid supplies to apply antiseptic. It burned like hell, but she endured in lip-biting silence.
He repeated the process everywhere else on her body, his hands moving gently yet thoroughly. He followed that by giving her a couple of ibuprofen and a cup of water. Once she’d swallowed both dutifully, he sat and pulled her into his lap. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I have to reach my sister. She needs me.”
“We’re heading to Louisiana in the morning.”
Shock flared, followed by hope. “I did not know.”
“You didn’t ask.”
True. She should have. “I am sorry if I caused you problems.”
“Since I picked you up in that alley, you’ve caused nothing but problems. If I weren’t so angry right now, I’d paddle your ass.”
Laila reared back. “Because you want to humiliate me?”
“Because the stunt you pulled tonight deserves punishment. I suspect getting the hell scared out of you was a punishment all its own, but if that’s what it takes for you to finally fucking grasp that we’re on the same team…”
She looked away. “Thank you for saving me.”
He took her chin in his strong grip and forced her stare to his. “I’m always going to save you.”
“It is your job.”
“It is. But after tonight, it’s my responsibility. My right.” Suddenly, he set her aside and stood, towering over her. “Or maybe I’m fucking kidding myself.”
“I do not understand.”
“Why did you seduce me earlier?”
Laila stared at him, not sure how to answer.
“It wasn’t because you wanted me, was it? Or because you wanted to know what I feel like. It definitely wasn’t because you would feel safer with me if we fucked. Was it?”
She bit her lip. If she admitted the truth, would he stop talking to her? Funny, in some ways she feared that more than him hitting her.
