Page 46 of Here & There

Pain radiates up my legs, but I barely register it.

“Mac!” I grasp his head. His beard is rough against my palms, his face huge between my hands. “Mac! Are you okay?”

His eyelids flutter like he’s trying to focus. “Shel—” He grimaces.

I let out a relieved breath. “Yes, Shelby.” He knows who I am. I feel around his head, assessing for injuries, even though I have no idea what I’m doing. Deanie’s the one with first aid training.

Mac’s hair is damp, but I don’t find anything warm and sticky.

“I don’t feel any blood,” I say.

“Blood?” Mac squeaks, his brows angled in concern. He tries to lift his head up.

“No, there’s no blood!” I say.

“Oh God,” he groans. His head falls back with a thud onto the deck.

That can’t be good.

“Can you focus on me?” I say. That’s something concussed people can’t do, right?

Mac squints, trying to lift his head again. “Shelby,” he rasps.

“Yes, good.”

“No. Shelby, I’m—” He takes a breath, as if needing to fortify himself. “Am I…”

I lean in, my ear in front of his lips. I can feel his breath skate warm across my ear. Now’s not the time for tingles, but say that to the tingles. And to his arm curling upward, his hand spreading over my back.

“What, Mac? Are you what?”

“Am I naked?”

I sit up, and before I realize what I’m doing, I check. I actuallycheck. And now that my eyes are adjusted to the darkness, I can confirm that yes, yes, Mac is fully naked.

And he’s…oh God, yes, he’s got a gorgeous penis. I knew he’d have a gorgeous penis.

“Shelby.”

Mac’s voice is stronger now.

I blink. “Yes.”

“Are you still checking?”

My cheeks flame. “Uh, yes. I mean no, I’m not. But yes, you are.”

I look back at his face. His expression is unreadable. Then he closes his eyes. “Of course,” I think I hear him say.

“Here, let me get something to cover you up with,” I say.

“The towel?” he pats around on the ground beside him and winces.

I look back down, but that’s a mistake, because now I’m staring at his beautiful penis again. “It’s…not here.”

He clears his throat. “Would you, uh, would you mind getting something?”

“Right.” I scramble to my feet and run into my room. There on the hook on the wall is the little pink robe I bought. It’s part of a set—a lacy bra and panties and a short robe to match.

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