Page 18 of Raven's Nest
She pursed her lips, hissing out her next breath. “It just burns. Nothing I haven’t experienced before.”
“Again, not the takeaway.” He angled her toward his place. “Chase can get your shoulder properly patched up while I grab you some warm clothes. I’m sure by the time we’re both cleaned up, Kash and Foster will be back with food.”
She laughed. “Don’t you guys ever cook?”
“Sure, when we’re rusty on fire protocols.”
“I thought only Kash was cooking challenged.”
Chase shook his head. “You haven’t seen Zain in action. He can burn water.”
“I’m not that bad, jackass.” Zain leaned in closer. “Ignore him. He gets cranky when he’s hungry.”
Zain guided her down the path to his home — an oversized workshop that now housed three bedrooms a couple bathrooms and a large open area for everything else. He paused at the entrance, checked that none of the powder from the top of the door had been dislodged — a sure sign his home had been compromised — then unlocked the door. He swung it inward, scanning the great room before disarming the security system.
Chase led Saylor straight to one of the bar stools at the counter, spreading his medic bag out beside her. “Zain, do me a favor and help Saylor out of her jacket in case some of the other bandages get stuck.” Chasearched a brow. “You did say there were more bandages layered underneath, right?”
“Are you questioning my medic abilities? Because that’s cold, brother.”
Chase shrugged. “I’ve seen the way you tend to your own wounds, and you’re lucky you haven’t bled out a dozen times over.”
“That was during dynamic situations when I didn’t have the luxury of doing a thorough patch job.”
“So, last week when you cut your leg during that cliff rescue and thought just a strip of medical tape would somehow keep the laceration closed…”
Zain shifted on his feet. “It would have worked.”
Chase laughed as he motioned to Saylor’s jacket. “Which is why I confirmed there were more bandages.”
Zain flipped off Chase, then eased Saylor’s coat over her shoulders. She mumbled a harsh curse, clenching her jaw as Chase moved over and cut away the rest of the dressings.
He sighed. “Not bad, buddy. Glad you take other people’s injuries more seriously than your own.” He gave Saylor a once-over. “Are you okay if I cut your sweater the rest of the way? Zain can grab you a blanket, but if being in only your bra is going to be uncomfortable…”
Saylor laughed. “For me or for you? Because you’re the one who’s all jumpy.”
“God, we’ve got another Zain on our hands.”
Chase went to work, taking his time as he froze the area, then removed any debris, irrigating the wound before layering on skin adhesive. “I swear, even with theblanket, your core temp’s more than a few degrees south of normal from all the wind and rain. I can put on a waterproof bandage if you want to have a quick shower to warm up. Or you can plant your ass in front of the fireplace.”
She shivered, sighing when both men shook their heads and crossed their arms. “A quick shower would be great.”
Chase taped on another bandage. “Just let me check it, again, once you’re done. So, I’m sure it’s still dry.”
Saylor nodded, then followed Zain down a hallway to the last room on the left. He ushered her through his bedroom into the ensuite.
He turned on the taps, grabbed a clean towel and placed it on the counter. “There’s everything you need in the shower, though, most of it smells like pine trees and wishful thinking. I’ll grab you some clothes and hang outside in case you feel lightheaded or anything.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She called out as he reached the doorway. “Zain?”
He stopped, wondering how just the sound of his name made him jumpy. As if his skin didn’t fit quite right. “You dizzy already?”
“I just wanted to say thanks. And I could have used the other bathroom. You didn’t have to bring me into your space.”
He ambled over, getting dangerously close, just like on the ship. “That didn’t feel right.”
“But this does?”
“No one’s more surprised about that than me.” He tucked some of her damp hair behind her ears, glancedat the bandage on her shoulder, then sighed. “Shout if you need anything.”
