Page 27 of Been There Dragon That
“No. Not directly. Think of us more like a tribe.”
“But you’re not native, are you?”
Another ripple of laughter slipped from Naomi’s lips, and then she turned to face Rylee with a stack of clothes in her hands. “Sorry, I’m not laughing at you. No, we’re not native, except for Katherine. She’s part Inuit. Our tribe is a little complicated, and it really needs to be Wrath that explains it when he’s ready.”
Naomi’s smile was so genuine, and her positive tone was infectious, Rylee couldn’t help but feel relaxed and easy with her.
“Sweatshirt and sweatpants okay? You’re a bit taller than me, but I think these will fit. I’ve got some warm socks too, in case those house shoes aren’t warm enough.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. I was a little uncomfortable standing around in my pajamas. Could I ask another favor though. I have a wound that needs a new bandage. Do you have any bandages or gauze?”
“You’ve been hurt? Who hurt you?” Wrath’s growly voice was right next to her, and his hands were on her body a second later. “Where? What happened?”
“Holy shit! Where did you come from? I didn’t even hear you come in.” She swatted at his hands. “It was a couple weeks ago. A car hit me.”
“A car. Oh, my gosh. Let me grab my first aid kit from the bathroom. I’m sure we have some.”
Wrath’s face was next to her wounded shoulder. “Where I touched you before. You winced. Did I hurt you when I carried you here?” Rylee heard the concern and pain in his voice. He was distraught that he’d caused her any discomfort.
She put a hand on his arm. “I’m okay. I promise. I think it strained the scab. I need a new bandage, so I don’t ruin Naomi’s sweatshirt.”
“This car accident. Does it have anything to do with you thinking I was attacking you in the house?”
“I was scared.” She looked down at their feet. She hated that Jeff scared her. She hated that she thought he’d sent someone after her to hurt her again. She’d left Texas. She wasn’t even in the continental United States any longer.
Wrath cupped her face. “You will tell me who hurt you, so I can protect you.”
Rylee shook her head free. “I’m fine. Everything is fine. Just let it go.”
“I will not.” He crowded her until the back of her legs hit the side of Naomi’s bed. “Show me the wound.”
“No.” Rylee put her hands on his chest and shoved, but it was like an ant trying to push a boulder. “You go. I need to change. Naomi will help me.”
“I want to be sure I don’t hurt you again. I can’t do that unless I know where you’re injured.”
Part of Rylee wanted to let him see her back and then another part knew he was going to lose his shit if he did. Something deep inside her said this possessive dominant growly man would take deep offense to the bruises and semihealed gash stretching from her shoulder halfway down her back.
“You’re mine to protect, Rylee.”
“I am not. I’m not yours. Get out.” She pointed to the bedroom door. “Respect me enough to do as I ask.”
His eyes lit with a strange glow for a second, sending a flicker of worry through her brain. Not fear. Every instinct told her this man would do anything to protect her, but she didn’t understand something about him. About the tribe as Naomi had called them. There was something really big he was hiding.
He bent down and nuzzled her neck. “I will change your mind,shuarra.” Then he turned and left the room as quickly and as quietly as he’d entered.
Naomi coughed from the bathroom door. “You good?”
Rylee released the breath she’d been holding. The way he went from big and growly to soft and seductive gave her whiplash. And she would be lying to herself if she tried to say she didn’t like the way he was making her the center of his orbit.
“Yeah. It’s just. He’s so much. And I don’t know him. And I can’t show him what I’m fixing to show you.” Rylee grabbed the hem of her flannel pajama shirt and pulled it over her head. The tank she was wearing underneath still hid almost everything.
“When I first met Col, he was a barbarian.” Naomi opened the first aid kit and found the gauze and some tape. “Will this work?”
Rylee grabbed the hem of the tank top and pulled it off next, baring the ugly reminders that her ex-fiancé had most likely hired someone to kill her out of spite for calling off the wedding.
“Oh, honey.” The sympathetic gasp from Naomi sounded about right.
“It’s a lot better than it was.”
