Page 70 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

Ricky chooses not to answer and instead says, “No stitches necessary, Charlotte, but these could very easily get infected. You’re going to have to take antibiotics to make sure they don’t. I would say keep doing rounds of antibiotics until the wounds close. Clean them three times a day with alcohol and saline, and then bandage them securely. If you need help, I can do the cleaning and bandaging in the mornings and at night. I’m asleep during the daytime, so you’ll have to manage that one on your own.”

“I’ll do it,” Robert says, his hand still around my waist.

I’m trying not to think too much about how nice his large hand feels on me. I can feel every finger resting on the side of my belly. I can also feel the way his hard chest is pressed against my back. Paying attention to this conversation isn’t easy by any means.

“Okay, then I’ll just drop by in the mornings—”

“I’ll take care of Charlotte’s wounds myself,” Robert clarifies emphatically. “She doesn’t need your help.”

“Actually,” I start, “I think—”

“I know how to clean wounds. I’ll get the necessary supplies,” Robert cuts me off. He’s been doing a lot of that since he met Ricky.

“Are you the one who bandaged the wounds on her face?” Ricky questions him seriously.

I’m the one who answers. “Yeah, he did that.”

“It was close to professional,” the vet approves, smiling. “I think you’re in good hands, Charlotte. If there are any issues, let me know. I’m just a phone call away. In the meantime, I’d still like to show your friend how to go about cleaning and disinfecting the wound. Just to be safe.”

He takes out the supplies in his kit, and Robert doesn’t argue this time, watching intently as Ricky disinfects the wounds all over again and washes them before applying a bad-smelling orange ointment and then taping gauze over them.

As he packs up, he says, “Whoever did this to her, I hope you dealt with them.”

He’s talking to Robert, and the latter looks dissatisfied. “Not yet, but I plan to. Soon.”

My hand tightens on his arm, but he doesn’t look at me.

Is he planning to go after Arabella?

As Ricky is about to leave, Robert suddenly says, “I’ll walk you out.”

The vet gives him an odd look, but as Ricky passes in front of me, I see the way the corners of his mouth are strained.

As soon as the door closes behind them, I pick up Mano. “Sorry about the scare, baby. I’m really okay.”

However, my cat is behaving anxiously, rubbing against me and purring with an aggression I’ve rarely seen. I pet her, leaning back on the couch, my head aching. I must have slipped into sleep because when I come to, I’m being shaken awake.

“W—What?” I cry out, alarmed.

Robert’s face is close to mine, and when he sees my indignant response, he sighs in relief. “I thought you passed out.”

“I fell asleep.” I try to push him away, but he takes my hand.

“I’ll carry you to bed.”

“I really don’t need you to—”

But he’s already lifting me, as if I’m his bride and he’s carrying me over the threshold. I think if my face gets any redder, I might start resembling a tomato.

He tucks me under the sheets before sprawling beside me, much to my shock.

“You—You’re not going home?”

I watch Mano jump onto Robert’s stomach and curl up there, tucking her face under her tail.

“You’ve had a traumatic experience.” Robert’s fingers comb through my hair as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I’m going to watch over you tonight, and tomorrow, and when you’re better, we’ll talk.”

I should resist, but instead, I let him wrap his arm around me as I mumble, “Just for tonight.”

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