Page 18 of Claimed By the Hunter

“I thought I’d want to get my vehicle, but I don’t want to move her if I don’t have to. Can you take us home?”

“Of course. She’s in the back seat, lying down. I pried the shackle off of her and wrapped it. Her ankle is torn up and swollen, but it will heal quickly.”

Hunter nodded and opened the back door of the truck. His first glance at his sleeping mate had emotions slam into him, making tears burn his eyes. He slid in and pulled her into his lap and arms. He kissed her on the forehead and looked down to see her eyes open.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she said and ran her fingertips over his face.

He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I wasn’t going anywhere, Mate. I might not let you out of my sight for a while.”

“Oh, joy,” she said sarcastically.

He chuckled. “Rest. We’ll be home soon, and then I’ll take care of you.”

“I know you will.”

She closed her eyes and cuddled against his chest. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He was shocked when Blake drove up to his house. He’d been so zoned out that time had sped past.

Chapter Eleven

Nicole blinked open her eyes when she felt Hunter lift her out of the truck. She heard him and Blake talk for a moment, and then Hunter walked into the house and to their room. She was glad she didn’t have to walk because her whole body was sore. Add to that the mating heat and she surmised that she’d never felt this level of pain, and it was taking everything in her to keep from crying.

Hunter lay her on the bed, stripped her, and then himself before picking her up again. It never failed to astound her how strong he was.

He started the water and then held her up under it, letting the warm water cascade down them for a long moment.

“Let’s get you washed.”

“I can stand.”

“I’ll put you on your feet but still hold you.”

She nodded.

He started with her hair, and she couldn’t help the moan that slid from her mouth and the way her eyes rolled back when his fingertips rubbed and massaged her scalp.

Hunter washed her hair a few times, put in a large amount of conditioner, and then washed her body. He knew she was about at her limit, so he finished quickly. She noticed he ran the sponge over his body, which took only ten seconds.

“Let’s get your hair dry.”

He wrapped a towel around her and sat her on the counter. He then wrapped one around his own waist before picking up another to start to dry her hair.

She usually loved her thick hair but was tempted to cut it off now because it took too long to dry.

“That’s good enough,” he said. “Let’s get you into bed.”

He lay her on the pillow.

“Where are you going?” Nicole asked when he headed for the door.

“I’m going to get some bandages and cream for your wounds.”

She shook her head. She couldn’t take another moment without him inside of her. “I need you. That’s what’s hurting the worst.”

Nicole was relieved when he came back to her. He whipped off the towel he had around his waist and lay down beside her.

“I’m sorry, Mate,” Hunter said. “We both need each other, but my worry overshadowed that.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I don’t care. As long as you’re here right now, that’s all that matters.”

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