Page 30 of Freedom to Love

Chapter Eight

Kat awoke to Gunner’s kisses. He was at the side of the bed, front paws resting on her pillow. His tail swept the air.

“All right, all right.” She sat up, winced from her damn shoulder, and slung her legs over the bed. The medicine bottle was closed. She grabbed it, held it in her left hand, and twisted the lid with her good hand. It hurt like hell, but she got it open and popped the pill in her mouth, swallowing with tepid water. She stood and Gunner took off like a bat out of hell through her bedroom door and down the hallway.

“What’s up with you, bud?” She followed him slowly, not bothering to pull on her pants. She scratched her mussed hair and turned into the living room and froze. Gunner stood at the couch, tail wagging. He barked. Brynn Williams opened her eyes and smiled, rolling over to rub Gunner’s head.

“Hey, silly. It’s early.” She checked her watch and then noticed Kat standing there. “Oh, hi.”

Kat blinked, not sure she could take in what she was seeing. Brynn was covered haphazardly with a throw blanket showing bare legs, cotton panties, and a threadbare tank top.

“Morning,” Kat managed.

“I hope you don’t mind my staying, but you were really exhausted and—”

“I’m glad you stayed,” Kat said before she could finish. As shocked as she was to see her, it caused a mad fluttering in her chest, and she had the burning urge to smile. So much so that she couldn’t help herself, and she felt it spread across her face. “I was actually going to suggest it, but I guess I sort of passed out before I got the chance.”

Brynn sat up and covered her legs with the blanket. Kat saw her gaze briefly sweep up and down her half bare body, but she didn’t run for cover. In fact, she liked the attention. It was rare that a beautiful woman noticed and openly admired her, especially in this town. Their eyes met, and then they both averted their gazes and seemed to struggle for words. Finally, Brynn spoke.

“How are you feeling?”

Kat glanced at her arm. “I think I’m okay. But I need to change the bandage.”

Brynn studied her. “Do you need help?”

“Murph’s coming by soon to do it,” she said. “God knows he’ll be here with bells on.”

Brynn laughed. “It’s nice to have someone who cares so much.”

Kat cocked an eyebrow. “I never thought of it like that. I guess it is. Do you have someone like that?”

Brynn seemed surprised. “I, uh, I get by. Actually, I’m usually the one taking care of everyone else.”

“I kind of figured,” Kat said softly. “You are very good at it.”

Brynn returned her smile. “Are you sure you don’t want my services? It would save your friend a trip.”

“Well, since you put it like that, how can I say no?”

Brynn shoved the blanket aside and stood. “Glad I can help.” She crossed slowly to Kat, and Kat fought the urge to close her eyes and fantasize about her walking to her wearing lingerie with a look of hunger on her face.

“I’ll get the stuff and meet you in the bathroom.” She cleared her closing throat and looked away from her toned legs and see-through tank. The sight of her awakening nipples sent a shockwave of throbbing to her clit. She tried to force the sight from her mind, but the full package kept coming. Small, taut breasts, firm nipples, dark areolas. Smooth abdomen, long, toned legs. Pale skin, tanned in exposed areas, colliding with her thick wavy mane of auburn hair. It was enough to send her to her knees, and yet somehow she remained standing.

“You okay?” Brynn was in front of her, inches away. She reached out, touched her upper arm, and Kat felt herself inhale sharply. Embarrassed, she turned and headed for the bedroom.

“I’ll meet you in the bathroom.”

Kat hurried down the hallway, rethinking her decision to let Brynn help. Could she handle the close proximity? She shook it off. Of course she could. Brynn was just a nice woman offering help. She was a good person. Nothing more or less. But Kat knew it was more than that, and just because she couldn’t explain it didn’t mean it didn’t exist. She quickly grabbed her bandaging items and hurried back down the hallway to the bathroom. Brynn was waiting inside, sitting on the edge of the tub. She’d slipped into a pair of mesh athletic shorts and pulled a worn T-shirt over her tank. The green in the shirt brought out the color in her hazel eyes, and Kat found herself inhaling again at the sight of her brushing her hair away from her brow.

“Got it,” Kat said, holding up the gauze and sticky bandage. She dug under the sink, looking for where Murph had put the antibiotic ointment she was to apply. “Where the hell did he put it? You would think he would leave it with the rest of the stuff.” She straightened and checked the medicine cabinet. “Got it.”

She set her equipment on the counter and sat on the commode. She knew she needed to remove the sling and her shirt, and suddenly she was more than nervous. There was a tightness to the air and she sensed Brynn felt it as well.

“Tell me what to do,” Brynn said softly. Her voice was low, raspy, sexy.

Kat cleared her throat. “We need to remove the sling.”

Brynn moved from the tub to kneel in front of her. Kat could smell the scent of her shampoo in her hair.

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