Page 16 of Harbor (The Wanderers 3)

Chapter 11

He was touching her again. She knew it before she opened her eyes this time. She even smiled. “Hey.”

Advic grinned. “You didn’t have a nightmare this time.”

Maya cringed. “Have I had a lot of them?”

“Yes.” He slid his hand from her palm to her wrist and encircled it. “I think restraining your wrists was causing you to panic in your sleep. If I’d realized that was the cause…”

She pulled her arm away and rubbed her wrist with her other hand, needing to confirm she was actually free. “What sorts of things did I say?” How much did I reveal?

“Enough.” He switched to stroking her forehead. “I’m sorry for whatever happened to you. I assume it was a long time ago.”

“Five years.”

He nodded slowly. “You were flailing around, delirious from the fever. We couldn’t keep the IV in you. We had no choice.”

“I understand.” She sighed and looked around. “Do you think I could get out of this bed?”

“If that’s what you want, yes. You need to take it easy. No marathons. You won’t be strong enough to use crutches. I could bring in a wheelchair.”

She cleared her throat. “I’d like to use the bathroom.”

“Okay. I can remove the catheter. Or, I can have Dario or Keanu do it if you’d rather.”

Damn this was awkward. She’s rather none of those three men touch her intimately right now. Obviously, they’d all probably seen her naked while she’d been out of it, but she was awake now, and the thought of one of these sexy men touching her private parts was a bit overwhelming.

She flattened herself on her back and stared at the ceiling. “You do it.”

He smoothed a hand up her arm. “’K. I’ll be fast. It’s not going to hurt. It will just feel strange and give you the sensation you have to pee.”

She nodded, pursing her lips. Would he please get it over with already?

He eased the blankets to the side, careful not to jar her bum leg, and then he guided her good knee wider and pushed her hospital gown up.

She held her breath. For the love of God, would he please hurry up? She wasn’t an inherently modest person, but this man was attracted to her, and he was now staring at her pussy. It was unnerving, to say the least.

“Try to relax,” he said as he put on a pair of gloves.

His cold fingers pressed against her vulva, and he adjusted something, and then finally, he eased the tube out of her. The moment it was free, he lowered her gown and covered her back up.

That was when she breathed. Panted really. Shit.

He was back at her side a few seconds later. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I know that was awkward.”

She nodded sharply, not quite ready to look at him yet. Her next problem was already weighing on her mind. There was no way she could get out of this bed wearing the flimsy hospital gown that was open in the back without flashing everyone who glanced her way.

Maya had a nice body. Or she’d had one until a week ago. That didn’t mean she wanted to flash her ass at strangers, no matter how kind and attractive they were.

“Would you like me to get you a wheelchair? You said you’d like to have your hair washed earlier. It would be easier if you were in the chair. I could roll you to the sink and let you tip your head back.”

That sounded heavenly. “Yes, please,” she whispered.

Advic patted her arm again and then left the room. When he returned a few minutes later, Dario was with him.

Dario came to her side. “You sure you’re up to this? I don’t want you to push yourself too hard. You’re going to be weak and tired for a while. Your body needs more nourishment before you’ll be stable enough to stand or use crutches.”

She turned her head to the side. “I think I can sit in the chair.”

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