“Let me go clean that up.” He takes the towel and goes about drying the floor. Then he comes back into the room and pulls out a shirt from his drawer. It’s a Bears tee. Without thinking, I pull mine off and take the one he’s offering, completely forgetting that I’m not wearing a bra. My large tits are completely on full display. As I slide it over my head, I steal a peek at his expression but the first thing my eyes catch is his tented boxers. Quickly I finish slipping on his shirt. “Shit. Did I just really do that?”
“I didn’t mind,” he grunts. I can see. Damn, I want to reach out and touch it.
What’s wrong with me? Have I lost my mind?
“I should go to bed.” I use my hands to stand and wince.
Tobias doesn’t miss my momentary pain. I don’t think he misses anything. He stops my movements and sets me back on the bed. “Let me see, Ava.” I lift my hand, and he turns my forearm to examine my wrist. It’s a little swollen. “Damn it, babe. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay. I think it’s just a sprain. It doesn’t hurt unless I apply pressure.”
“Stay right there.” Tobias leaves me on his bed and then rushes back to the bathroom. He pulls out one of those emergency kits. He takes out an ACE bandage and an instant ice pack, and then tends to my wrist. “I’m so sorry about this, Ava.” The touch of his strong hands sends a chill through me, and I let out a hiss. “Is it too hard?”
“No. It’s fine. Seriously, this isn’t really necessary.”
“It is. Don’t argue with me. I kind of know about injuries.” He gives me a crooked smile like there’s something I should know. Then I remember he owns a ranch.
“Oh yeah. I suppose working with livestock can be dangerous.”
“It’s not that dangerous, but wild animals have a mind of their own. There.” He’s bandaged up my hand to the middle of my forearm like he’s done it a dozen times before.
“Thank you, Tobias.” I look into his eyes, and that’s a big mistake because I want to lean in and kiss his soft lips.
“Any time,” he says, swallowing hard.
“I’m…I’m going to go to bed,” I stammer out.
“Okay.” He helps me to my feet, and I leave his room while he stands by the open door watching me until I slip inside and close the door. I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding. God, out of the frying pan and into the fire. Tobias Reynolds is not what I expected, but he’s someone I want. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone. Maybe too long. Then again, he’s just that sexy.
He gave me his shirt, and I can’t help bringing it to my nose, breathing him in. I’m officially nuts. I climb into bed, aching in good and bad ways. It’s then that I remember I don’t have water that I went out for in the first place. Oh well. I’m not heading out again.
I’m just tucked in bed when he knocks on the bedroom door. “Coming.” I stand and go to the door as quickly as my sore ass will allow. As I open it, a smile spreads across my face.
He’s holding a glass of water and a bottle of Advil. “I figured you wanted water and you could probably use some of these so you’re not too sore in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. It’s my fault anyway. Goodnight.” He turns on his heel and leaves. Could he be any more considerate?
I lie down after drinking some water. I’ll take the pills if I start to feel lousy, but I don’t want to take them now because the pain isn’t that bad. Turning off the light from the side of the bed, I nestle under the covers and fall quickly asleep.
****
The blaring alarm wakes me up and I scoot my ass out of bed, planting my hand on the mattress and lifting upward. “Ouch,” I hiss and fall back onto the bed. Now I’m regretting not taking the Advil. I won’t make that mistake again, so I pop two pills and drink the rest of the water Tobias brought me last night.
With a quick trip to the bathroom, I’m almost ready to go downstairs. My hair needs to be managed because it looks wild, so I brush it, put it in a messy bun, and then head to the kitchen. The coffee’s the first thing I start brewing. Louisa showed me how to make it, so I repeat the cup to scoop ratio here. After it starts brewing, I grab the eggs and bread. It’s going to be a simple breakfast.
I’m just about to start cracking eggs when Tobias comes into the kitchen dressed in a black and white flannel with a white tee peeking through the open buttons at the top. “Whoa, Ava. Good morning. Don’t bother cooking this morning. I’m still full from dinner last night. I’ll take some coffee, though. You need to take it easy. How’s the wrist?” Damn, how come he looks great so early in the morning?