Page 84 of Choosing Forever
I’ve dreamed of slipping my fingers through hers and feeling the smooth, warm skin during cold, lonely nights. The memories of her never stopped running rampant through my mind, but it was her hands and the way they always held me with love and respect and this . . . outright fuckingownershipthat screwed me up the most.
I never expected today to be the day I’d finally feel her touch again. Or that she’d be pressing my shirt to her nose while wearing a red-splattered one of her own. It’s been a weird day, but at least it’s the good kind of weird now.
“I need to go home,” she attempts to say, her voice nasally and muffled.
“Not until I’ve checked you out. Your nose could be broken.”
“You’re not a doctor.”
I pull open the door and avoid looking at where I know my sister’s standing watching. The shock and worry that morphed into smug satisfaction when I took off running outside has burntitself into my retinas. At least she took my daughter into the engine bay to check on her chalk drawings before she burst into guilty tears.
“I’ve passed enough medical courses to know if your nose is broken,” I say, clutching her hand a bit tighter when I fear she’ll try to slip free of me.
“Where are your credentials?”
“Are you really going to give me a hard time about this? Your nose hasn’t clotted yet.”
“Maybe it’s the shirt I’m using as a wad of tissues. There could be something wrong with the material that’s making me bleed worse.”
“Yeah, cotton can be a real bitch when it comes to bleeding noses.”
“Your sarcasm isn’t welcome here.”
“Why? Does it make you wanna laugh?”
I can sense her rolling her eyes. “No. It’s impossible to laugh when I’m trying not to cry.”
“Okay, so it really could be broken, then.”
The door to the medical room is open, so I carefully lead her inside and hesitate to shut the door before deciding to go for it. If any of the guys come around and see her in here with me, there won’t be any living it down. It’s better to keep them trapped outside for as long as possible.
“Can you see the table here?” I ask softly.
“Yes, I can see the table.”
“Hop up on it for me.”
She blinks quickly, dislodging some of the water lingering in her eyes. Tears soak into my shirt as she uses her free hand to try hoisting herself up. I hover, knowing full well she’s probably scoffing internally at me for being so close. It’s impossible not to keep a slim distance. She’s hurt, and we’re alone.Again. Only this time, every instinct inside of me is screaming to take care of her and take the pain away that’s causing the wrinkle between her brows.
“Keep your claws to yourself for a minute,” I whisper.
Then, before she can ask what I’m talking about, I grip both sides of her waist and lift her onto the edge of the table. The soft gasp that escapes her shoots straight down to my groin, and shit, that’s the worst place for it. I roll my jaw and focus, ignoring everything but the green eyes piercing into mine.
Delaney rolls her lip between her teeth before saying, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let me look at your nose. I’ll be gentle.”
“As opposed to?”
“I could give your nose a pinch and wiggle it around a bit if you want.”
She winces, her eyes focusing more now. “I really can’t have a broken nose right now.”
There’s a slight shake to my hand that I hope she can’t see when I guide hers away and pull the shirt back. While red and slightly swollen, her nose isn’t broken. The blood has slowed to a trickle, which is a good sign as well.
“You’ll be okay. Minimal damage,” I murmur, using a clean corner of my shirt to pat beneath her nose, wiping some of the blood away.
“Are you sure? I feel like I should still go see a doctor.”
