Page 25 of Snowbound with the Santas

It smells like Frankie, too. It is subtly spicy with something fruity on top. I like it.

I decide against the pants for now since my bandage needs changing and slowly open the door. Walking is a little easier than yesterday, and after checking in the mirror to make sure I look vaguely human, I hobble slowly through to the kitchen.

Archer, Frankie, and Nick are already up and dressed. I can only guess what time it is, but since the sun rises and sets early this high up in the mountain, I could be so wrong.

“Rayne!” Frankie darts toward me the moment I hobble through the door. He slides one thick arm around my waist and pulls me against his firm chest. It takes the weight off my aching leg, and I flash him a grateful smile while my thoughts flash back to my earlier fantasy.

“Good morning.” Nick smiles over the top of a steaming mug from where he stands near the sink. “Sleep well?”

“Like a log,” I reply softly. “But I think I made my leg bleed again while I was sleeping.”

Yup. It was my sleeping.

“Let me take care of that.” In one swift move, Frankie helps me up onto the edge of the table and then darts to the sink in search of the medical kit.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, eyeing the breakfast items scattered on the table next to me. “I didn’t even feel anything until I woke up.”

“Must have been a good dream.” Nick chuckles.

Archer is by the larder with his back to me. He throws me one look over his shoulder, but he doesn’t say a word. He’s really committed to his silent act.

“Can I?” Frankie is back by my side, and his hands hover over my leg, not yet touching.

“Please.” I nod quickly. “Should I, uh… be worried about infection or anything?” I look at Nick, searching for a distractionas Frankie’s gentle yet rough fingertips skim across the sensitive skin on my thigh.

“We’ll help you keep it clean, but infection shouldn’t be an issue.” Nick smiles. “However, if you notice any change like heat or tightness, then please tell us immediately. The last thing we want is for you to get sick.”

He speaks with such deepcaringthat I half wonder if I’m still asleep.

“Hungry?” Nick continues. We’ve got eggs, sausage, and toast—or porridge, if you prefer. You need to eat to keep your strength up, especially in the mountains.”

“I could eat porridge,” I say, but it’s hard to focus on the food.

Frankie kneels before me, unraveling the bandage, and every touch is electric. A small crease forms between his brow while he works, and his adorable lopsided smile crooks a little to the left. My wound does look better, and it hasn’t re-opened. The blood seems to be just from the edge of the slice, and he cleans it quickly.

Just as efficient and gentle as I imagined.

Then he wraps one hand under my thigh and lifts my leg enough for him to wind the fresh bandage around my leg. The rough pads of his fingertips scrape against my sensitive inner thigh in the most delicious way, and my core clenches once more.

Frankie pauses for a half-second, and heat pulses through me like a bullet.

Shit. I didn’t even consider his being this close so soon after what I did.

Can he tell? Can he smell that I was pleasuring myself? Can he sense that his fingers are mere inches away from a pussy that fantasized about him?

Frankie’s gorgeous green eyes flicker up to meet mine, and I can’t decipher what’s in his eyes. I can’t tell if he knows or if it’s just my imagination, but my heart begins to race.

“Nearly done,” Frankie says. His gaze is unwavering and his voice is low, as if his simple words are a secret just for me.

Maybe I am still dreaming.

“Thank you,” I reply.

The thunk of a bowl down on the table makes me jump, drawing me from my thoughts. Archer is by the table, and he fixes me with a hard look that strikes me as irritated. And yet, just as my hackles rise at the look, Archer turns and strides back to the pantry and I realize it wasn’t irritation in his eyes.

Was it… jealousy?

No. Definitely not.

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