Page 9 of The Tiger King's Christmas Bride

“You are okay now. That is all that matters,” he said and for some reason it seemed more like a command than a statement, as if he could will her to health with just his words.

Violet frowned at the level of intensity she felt radiating off him. She looked down, covering her eyes with her hands as her gaze fell right to that part of him that was currently resting against his thigh in what she could only refer to as a semi-flaccid state.

It was long and thick, perfectly veined and the longer she looked, the harder he got. He growled and she jumped, her cheeks burning in her embarrassment.

“Um, sorry, were you bathing, or, uh, that is, why are you naked?”

“No,” he growled, “I was not bathing,” he finished the statement and licked his lips, eyes riveted to her face.

She could only imagine how she looked. Caught staring at his nudity, Violet tried to explain but it came out a sputtering snort, and her face burned even brighter with her next faux pas.

Sigh.

“Look, I am so sorry, that is none of my business. What are you a naturist or something?” she asked and tried to pretend it was totally normal that Mr. Sexy-Naked-Buff-Man-With-Teal-Eyes-That-Glow was actually growling at her.

Did she mention he was like totally butt ass naked?

“Um, where are your clothes?” she asked trying her hardest to keep her eyes on level with his.

“What?” he asked, and she was shocked to see he seemed almost unwilling to break eye contact, but then, he looked down at his body and finally, it seemed to dawn on him that he should be clothed.

“My apologies, little one,” he grinned and leaned over to grab a throw blanket from a basket underneath the coffee table, “you see, I was indisposed when I heard the crash and came running without thinking. Afterwards, you were bleeding and I was tending your wounds,” he explained.

“Really? Thank you so much. I’m so sorry to be a bother-”

“Are you seriously apologizing for being in an accident?” he laughed and draped the crocheted afghan over his lap with a knowing smile on his face, as if he could tell she was very interested in his sublime physique, “You must be the nicest person in the world.”

“Hardly,” she returned and felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment.

Okay, you caught me, she thought to herself, I’m injured, not dead.

Violet was still a bit embarrassed, but she was only human. He probably had women throwing themselves at him by the boatload. Never before had she seen such a superb specimen of man.

“Anyway, I am sorry to have inconvenienced you and on, oh no, I mean it’s Christmas Eve and, uh, your family-” she said remembering her manners, and licked her lips, wincing as she did.

“I am here alone. I don’t have a wife or girlfriend in case you were wondering.”

“Oh, I, um, that is none of my business.”

“On the contrary,” he murmured.

Violet felt her body heat at the way he said that and a little voice inside her told her it was very much her business. Why should she feel all proprietary about the man was a mystery to her. Maybe she’d hit her head harder than she’d thought.

“The car?”

“I’m afraid there was no saving the car. After you hit the tree it began to burn and then, after I pulled you out, the tree gave way. It is stuck in the creek for now, but when the roads clear I’ll send someone out,” he said.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered and covered her mouth with her hands.

Violet figured the car was totaled, but she hadn’t realized just how bad the accident was until her rescuer explained it.

“It’s a miracle I’m even alive,” she whispered and met his concerned stare, “thank you.”

“I would never let anything bad happen to you,” he said and for some reason she believed the statement even as he broke eye contact, closing his eyes for a moment.

While he seemed to need a second, she took the time to do a personal inventory. Her entire body felt sore and tired. She knew she must be bruised and maybe even badly hurt, but for some reason she just felt achy and out of sorts.

All she wanted was to sleep, but that probably wasn’t a good idea. She had hit her head after all.

Ooh and eat, whispered her inner voice. What was up with that thing anyway, she wondered. When had she become so vocal? Oh great, maybe she hit her head and now she was nuts. Perfect. Either way, crazy-inner-voice Violet was correct, she was hungry, but figured she should start small.

“Do you think I could have some water?”

“Sure, of course,” he jumped up flashing his very fine gluteus maximus her way before securing the blanket around his hips in kilt-like fashion.

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