Page 27 of Suddenly Entwined

“Yeah. Right. Breathing. I can breathe.”

I’m not so sure about that, because I watch her make a solid attempt, but the cadence is all wrong, and her cheeks are still grey. I run my hand under the cold tap and press it to her forehead.

“That’s nice,” she whispers as I watch a drop of water trail down her temple.

“Is that bruise from today?”

The cut distracted me from the fact she had a big fall at the party.

She nods. “Yeah, I landed on my shoulder pretty hard. I think there might have been a rock in the puddle.”

“Christ.”

It’s going to be about seven shades of black and blue by tomorrow.

“You should have told me.”

“And what first aid would you have provided for a bruise?”

I shrug.

“I’d already showered after the party. But all I could smell was the…mud in my hair. I thought I’d give it one more wash before bed.”

“Getting Lou out of the way today was so brave. You’re doing great. What’s a little blood when you can go head to head with an eight hundred pound animal?”

She leans back against the mirror while I repeatedly cool my palm with icy water and press it to her brow.

“Have you ever fainted before?”

“Once. When I was travelling, I saw an old woman trip on a curb and cut her forehead. It bled a lot. Too much heat, not enough water. It wasn’t good.”

“What happened?”

“They called two ambulances.”

“Sounds like quite the adventure.”

“You have no idea,” she sighs, glancing toward the cut for a moment before flitting her eyes away again.

“I think you’re okay. Your cheeks are pink again.”

“That’s because I’m remembering that you saw me buck naked.”

It’s a sight I doubt I’ll ever forget.

“I saw nothing.”

She laughs softly. “Liar.”

I shut my eyes with determination, but the image of her breasts spilling out over her arm and the smooth stretch of her midsection makes my cock twitch.

“Now, who’s pink?” She giggles, obviously feeling better.

I offer a stern expression. “Caro.”

“I’m teasing.”

“Good. So you must feel well enough for me to look at your hand, then.”

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