Page 39 of Devious Secrets

She’s staring at me with narrowed eyes. Like she’s trying to conjure up the image of me as a young kid running down the street, playing with a bunch of schoolkids.

“I may not have had a typical childhood, but I assure you, I was a kid once.”

“It was a long time ago, though. I’m sure medicines have changed since then.” She waves her hand over the wound, like the cool, moving air is going to make it better.

“Is that a jab at my age?” I squeeze her calf.

“Well, you are almost forty.” She looks up at me with a sarcastic grin.

“Not quite there yet.” I run my thumbs over the edges of the bandage to be sure it’s firmly in place.

“How did he die?” she asks.

“What?”

“The guy. How did he die?” The topics change like the breeze with her.

“He collapsed. We’ll know more tomorrow.” I gently put her foot down and carefully pick up her other leg, careful not to touch her ankle. These cuts are all superficial, so it’s easier to clean them up without causing her any more pain.

“So, natural causes. I can go home, then.” She sounds so damn hopeful; it’s almost a shame I have to shatter it.

Almost.

“No.”

“Why not?” She looks ready to hop off the counter, so I put my hands on her hips and keep her firmly in place as I lean closer to her.

“Because.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the one you’re getting.” I reach around her and start tugging on the dress, trying to pull it up over her hips, but she wiggles.

“What are you doing?”

“The dress is dirty, and I need to see if you have any cuts on your stomach. There’s a hole here.” I finger the tear in the fabric. “I assume this happened when you jumped into the bushes?”

The mental image of it makes my blood heat again, so I shove it away.

“I’ll check myself.” She tries to swat my hands away when I reach around her again.

Clenching my teeth, I sigh. Fighting with her is going to waste time, and the doctor will be here soon.

Decision made, I grab the neckline of the dress and tear straight down the middle, shredding the thin material in half.

“What the hell!” She grabs for what’s left, trying to pull it back together.

“I don’t have time to argue with you over everything. Just sit here for a minute.” I give her a look that seems to do the trick, then run my hands over her shoulders as I shove the dress off.

Fuck.

Me.

The woman is a glory.

There’s only one scratch on her stomach, a thin one where the branch tore the dress. But I take my time inspecting her stomach, gently running my fingertips over her ribs.

Her nipples pebble when my attention moves to her breasts. Cupping them, I rub my thumbs over her nipples. A small sigh escapes her pretty lips.

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