This was torture. Pure flipping torture. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the end of the stethoscope to his back and tried to focus on her job. Yet that was a struggle with the large Spartan tattoo covering his shoulder, which was as powerful as the man who wore it. ‘I like the ink work. It’s so detailed.’ Her finger delicately traced the outline, even the intricate fur on the lion that overshadowed the powerful ancient warrior.
‘Sophie,’ his voice was low and edgy. ‘You keep doing that and we’ll have issues.’ He turned his head to stare at her over his shoulder, his eyes dark and hungry. It was the look of a predator.
‘I’m so sorry.’ She flinched as if she’d just touched something scalding hot. And he was. Every single inch of him was gloriously masculine, it had all her feminine parts crying outin need.
‘Turn away.’ Her own voice seemed foreign. ‘I need to concentrate.’
His lips curved into a grin, amused by her foolishness.
How stupid was she when Dex was with Bree? It was a big no-no. She would never get in the middle of a couple. Never.
‘Breathe in…’ She listened to his lungs, careful to not touch his smooth skin and muscles that she was pretty sure were solid. ‘Breathe out…’
He exhaled.
‘Good.’She walked away from him, putting her gear into her bag, then entered notes on the tablet. ‘It’s a vast improvement.’
‘Don’t tell Bree that. She’ll think it’s all her doing.’
Of course, someone like Bree would take all the credit. ‘So how is the pain?’
‘Manageable.’
‘I’ve topped up your medication. Please take them as directed.’ She put the pills back into the fridge, which was filled with assorted foods, roasted meats, pastries, and more. The various food aromas had her salivating. It was a reminder that she needed to go shopping on the way home. ‘Have you done any walking yet?’
‘Not yet. Why? Do you want to go for a walk?’ He slid on a shirt and boots, before opening the front door. Only to lean against it, dropping his head to breathe.
‘Hey, maybe tomorrow.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Let’s stick to the couch for today.’
‘But I need to do something. This sitting around is not me. I’m usually building something with these…’ He opened his powerful hands.
‘I might have something in my bag to amuse you. You can walk me to the car and get it.’
His wry smile and the shine of hope in his dark eyes had her stomach doing cartwheels of joy for the guy.
Come on, this was not happening. Even her ex hadn’taffected her like this.
‘But I want you to take your oxygen with you.’
‘Hmph.’ His grunt matched the scowl he gave the oxygen cart.
She lifted the oxygen tank, testing the weight. ‘I’ve got a spare tank in the car. It’s important for you to use the oxygen during this early stage of your recuperation. I expect one of these tanks to be empty by my next visit.’ She untangled the cords from his oxygen mask, holding it out to him.
He leaned in so close to her, his hand covering hers that held the mask. ‘How do you know I won’t empty it outside?’
She swallowed hard, licking her lips that were desperate to taste his. ‘Because I trust you.’
He scowled, stepping back from her as if she’d sworn at him, and his eyes went as cold as the glare he gave her.
‘It’s your health, Dex.’
He turned his back on her, holding the door open for her as a signal to leave. ‘What do you need from the car?’
What did she say that was so wrong?
Scooping up her bag, she rushed through the front door to the hot outback air, but the breeze from the fragrant flowers was refreshing. The harsh daylight was also a good dose of reality, reminding her that Dex was just a patient, and she was his nurse. Nothing more.
‘What the flip!’