Page 35 of Defensive Zone

I jolt when he pinches the soft skin above my hip.

“Fucker,” I curse, causing him to laugh. “Okay, come on. Let’s get you in the shower.”

I stand up and move back to his side of the bed. We take it slow and steady, making sure he doesn’t rush standing up and risk giving himself another headache. He pushes up with his good hand, but once he’s on his feet, he sways slightly. I instantly reach out to grip his biceps, holding him steady as a wave of dizziness takes over.

“I’m fine,” he says, but I ignore him and wrap my arm around his waist for support as we head into his en suite bathroom.

He sits down on the closed toilet seat, and I reach inside the shower, flicking on the water to warm up. Shit, he’s going to need something to sit on. I’m a strong guy, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to help him wash if I have to prop up his two hundred and fifty-pound weight.

“Wait here,” I say, pointing my finger at him. “Don’t move.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be going anywhere fast.” He closes his eyes, his head tipping back to rest against the tiled wall behind him.

I chuckle, glad he still has some sense of humor, and go into the kitchen to find something for him to sit on. All his chairs and stools are fabric, so they won’t work. Peering my head around the door to his game room, I spot a small, plastic stool that has some books stacked on top. That should do the trick.

Moving the books to his gaming desk, I pick up the stool and carry it back into the bathroom. His eyes open at the sound of me reentering, and those dark brows furrow in confusion when he notices the stool in my hands.

“What are you doing with that?”

“You’re gonna sit on it in the shower.”

“But I’ll ruin it.”

“Then I’ll buy you a new one,” I argue.

I place it inside the shower, then take off all my clothes until I’m only in my boxer briefs before stepping into the shower to find the right position for the stool. Once I’ve got it in the rightspot, I grab the towel off the hook, pat myself dry, and walk over to him. “Right, up you go.”

Holding out my hands to steady him, he grabs hold of one arm, hoisting himself up. His eyes go a bit weird as he has another dizzy spell, then he seems to come to.

“What about my cast? I can’t get it wet.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’ve had some time on my hands while you’ve been in dreamland because I went down an internet rabbit hole and found a waterproof cast cover.” I jerk my chin to where the cover is sitting on the counter.

“Of course you did.” He huffs a laugh, then holds on to my shoulder as I slip the plastic sleeve on his arm.

We take slow, steady steps toward the shower, and once we’re at the door, I realize he’s still got his pajama pants on. “Shit. Okay, put your hand on the wall for a sec. I gotta take off your pants.”

“You could at least buy me a drink first.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Quit fooling around and get naked, Reid.”

Placing his good hand on my shoulder for balance, I hook my fingers into the waistband of his plaid sleep pants and pull them down. I crouch, trying not to let my eyes linger on his soft cock hanging heavy between his thighs.

Has he ever touched himself while thinking about me? Was I on his mind while he fucked someone else?

My cock jerks in my boxers, and I curse internally. Now is not the time to be getting hard.

Carefully lifting each foot so he doesn’t lose his balance, I toss his pants to the side before glancing up, meeting his gaze. He’s looking down at me under hooded eyes.

The angle provides an incredible view of his physique. Thick, muscular thighs covered in colorful tattoos and dark hair. Hisabs so defined, I’m tempted to trace the grooves with my fingertips to see if they are as deep as they look.

“Carter?”

My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. Shit. I completely got lost in my head.

“Ready?” I ask, standing up.

Guiding him into the shower, I motion for him to take a seat on the stool and adjust the showerhead to get the right angle. Squirting some shampoo in my hand, I wash his hair first, scrubbing at his scalp. He hums, leaning into my touch as I give it a second wash. After, I take the shower gel and lather it up in my palms and begin moving my hands over his shoulders and back in circular motions.

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