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All she’d ever wanted was a safe home of her own. She cared deeply for Devlin, but would the constant threat wear her down over time? Make her come to resent him? And if their connection was due to some spell, would it disappear if the mage was destroyed?
He rolled onto his side and heaved a sigh. “You’re right.” Hearing him agree with her gave her heart a little squeeze. “Werewolves don’t have diseases. That’s not something you have to worry about. And there’s absolutely no lore about a lone wolf getting any woman—wolf or human—pregnant.” He rolled off the bed and stretched his arms over his head. Every inch of him was thick muscles and tanned skin. There was no missing his erection.
She curled her legs into her body, feeling her nakedness without him beside her. The turn in the conversation had dimmed her glow. And damn it, she wanted some post-sex cuddling.
He headed toward the bathroom. She watched the tight mounds of his perfect ass until they disappeared. Water began to run. Frustrated with herself, she rolled onto her back and beat her head against the pillow several times. They’d had sex. They hadn’t pledged eternal love. What he’d said about there being no going back was likely nothing more than bedroom talk.
Her mood sank.You went into this with your eyes open.He hadn’t promised her anything but protection.
He returned, cloth and towel in hand, and sat on the side of the bed. Before she realized his intent, he’d parted her legs and was running a damp cloth over her. “Are you sore?”
She batted at his hands. “Stop that. I can do it.” Heat flared up her cheeks. This was even more intimate than making love.
“I like taking care of you.”
Falling back, she dragged a pillow over her face and waved her hand in the air. “Carry on.” It was either that or wrestle him for the cloth. She doubted she’d win.
When he was done, she slowly lowered the pillow, praying her face wasn’t beet red. He wasn’t looking where he’d cleaned but at her torso.
“What?” She sat upright and stared down at herself. “What are you looking at? I don’t see anything.”
“Exactly.” Awe filled his voice. “Your bruises are gone.”
He was right. Where there’d been mottled skin in various shades of black and purple, now there was smooth white. She poked and prodded the areas that had been especially tender. It boggled the mind. “Wait. You licked those areas, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I had the thought that I wished whatever healing powers lived inside me could be transferred to you through my tongue.”
Not exactly hygienic healing but she wasn’t about to complain. They’d exchanged bodily fluids during sex. That wasn’t any different. And didn’t dogs lick wounds? Maybe it was an instinctual thing, not that she’d ask. It was probably an insult to be compared to a regular domesticated canine.
“Turn over.”
“What?”
He waved his hand. “I want to see your back.”
“Oh, sure.” She rolled onto her stomach and rested her head on her hands. “How bad is it?”
Instead of a reply, a hot, wet tongue was dragged over her shoulder. Goose bumps raced down her arms. Tears welled in her eyes. This was better than after-sex snuggling. Or at least as good. He was trying to heal her.
Emotion clogged her throat, making it difficult to speak. “Is it working?” Even if it didn’t, it meant a lot that he’d even want to try.
“We’ll have to wait and see.” He went back to the task, covering every inch of her back and several places on her legs. She shrieked when he nipped her ass before kissing the spot.
“That wasn’t a therapeutic touch.”
“It was for me.” After placing one final kiss in the center of her back, he stood. “If I stay here, we’ll end up having sex again. As much as I’d enjoy it, I don’t want you to get sore, and we need to make plans.”
An icy ball formed in the pit of her stomach. He was right.
Whatever was out there was coming for them.
Chapter Fourteen
She showered alone, all the while wishing Devlin had joined her. Shower sex was something she wanted to experience at least once in her life. But he was right. If he’d been with her, all naked and soapy, she wouldn’t have been able to keep her hands off him.
After drying off, she dressed in clean clothes. If they had to make a run for it, she didn’t want to be caught naked, or even half naked. Before she pulled on a purple T-shirt, she glanced over her shoulder and into the mirror. The bruises on her back weren’t fully faded, but they appeared to be improved. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. Either way, she felt better than she had since the attack. Even her arm wasn’t bothering her. She’d removed the gauze and covered it with a large bandage to keep from pulling the stitches.
There was no sign of Devlin in the bedroom, but his bag was packed and there was no sign of any of his belongings lying around. Not even the ripped shirt and missing buttons. What was it like to go through life never leaving a trace of yourself behind? He had to have a home somewhere. A place where he kept the stuff that mattered to him. A place he could relax and let down his guard. Right?
