“I’m always up early, Red.” I strode around the bed and helped her sit up. “I need to get you dressed so you can—” My words were cut off when the blanket slipped down, revealing those perfect tits. I groaned. Fuck, she had a way of making a man lose his train of thought. And I knew she didn’t even damn mean to. It was my fault she was in bed naked. I hadn’t bothered dressing her after our shower. I’d wanted to feel her naked, soft curves against me.
“You going to fuck me?” she breathlessly asked, jerking my eyes to hers. They were needy and filled with lust. My cock surged behind my jeans at the sultry look.
Goddammit, she was killing me.
“Not until you’re completely healed, Red. I won’t risk hurting you, and I’m not gentle. You know that.”
She sighed, leaning her head back against the headboard. I just dropped a kiss to her forehead before going over to my dresser, grabbing out the clothes I’d pulled from her room last night. My cock was aching something fierce, but my hand would continue to do the job until her doctor cleared her one hundred percent. I wouldn’t risk her health or her recovery just to get a fucking nut in.
I managed to get her dressed without teasing her or myself, keeping my hands only where they needed to be. I knew it was frustrating for both of us, but we’d make it through this. I’d get her off later like I did the night before. Hopefully, that would sate her for a little while.
I had no idea this woman would ever want me so damn badly. It was a dream come true, to be real. I’d never take it for granted either. Ilovedsex.
Sliding my arms beneath her, I easily lifted her against my chest. “Let’s get some food in you,” I gently commanded. “You’ve got a therapy appointment later.”
She sighed and rested her head against my chest. “I hate physical therapy,” she muttered.
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Yeah, well, it’ll help you in the long run. Just keep that in mind, Red.”
She rolled her eyes at me, and if I hadn’t had my hands full of her, I’d have swatted her ass.
She smiled at me like she knew exactly what she was doing, too.
I just shook my head with a sigh.
I watched as the physical therapist began working Aaliyah’s arm. Aaliyah was trying—I’d give her that. But I knew this wasn’t easy.
She grunted when the therapist finally put her arm down. Red slowly shut her eyes, taking a moment to rest. She was no doubt going to need a nap later. It didn’t take much to wear her out these days. Her body had a long way to go before she was back at the level she was before she got shot.
Even now, her face was a bit pale. I fucking hated having to watch this shit, but I wouldn’t leave her alone. But it just seemed like every physical therapy appointment was harder than the last for her.
I wanted to carry her out of the room and never bring her back, but I knew she needed this. It was literally the only thing stopping me. I hated seeing her being pushed to her limits like this.
I growled when the therapist began to work her arm again. They both snapped their eyes to mine. Aaliyah shook her head at me, a warning to keep my cool. The therapist was staring at me with wide eyes.
I clenched my jaw and stood to my feet, my boots silent as I strode to the door.
“Johnston?” Aaliyah quietly called, worry coating her words.
I looked over my shoulder at her as I pulled my cigarettes from my pocket. “Just need to take a smoke break, Red. I’ll be back. I promise.”
She nodded, relaxing again as much as she could. I slipped out of the room and headed for the exit of the hospital. If I didn’t get some nicotine in my lungs here soon, I was going to knock that therapist on her ass. I knew she was just doing her job, but it didn’t make it any easier for me to deal with.
As soon as I stepped out the doors, I lit a cigarette and moved to the side, out of the way of other people. The sky was gloomy, no sun, the perfect day for a leisurely bike ride. But I wanted Aaliyah with me today.
Guess we’d be taking the truck instead. I could ride with the windows down, yet I knew it wouldn’t be the same. But I wasn’t taking a random ride again without Aaliyah on the back of my bike.
I rolled my neck around and watched the parking lot as people came and people left. Kids screamed, not wanting to go inside. An ambulance whizzed past, heading toward the emergency room.
Crazy that there was this much activity for such a small town.
Once I’d finished my cigarette and felt relatively calmer, I headed back inside. Aaliyah looked up at my entrance, a small smile tilting one side of her lips. “You good, Red?” I asked her.
She yawned and nodded. I took my seat again, watching for the next thirty minutes as she went through more therapy before they began to stretch out her muscles to wind her back down.
As soon as her appointment was over, I paid the bill and then carried her out to the truck, ignoring the nurse that tried getting me to use the wheelchair, saying it was hospital policy.
Fuck their policy.