Page 27 of Omega Untamed
I went to him and stood in front of him. He did not hesitate to shove my hand aside and take up the drawstring, tying a quick bow. His hand strayed very close to my crotch as he did so, but he gave no indication he noticed.
“Sit up in the bed, all the way at the head,” he instructed.
I climbed in as he turned to face me, still seated on the edge. Without asking permission, he took my injured foot in hand. He had a box beside him containing bandages, tape, scissors, and various different colored bottles.
With a square of gauze dipped in something that looked like lube, Bast wiped at my very purple, still oozing and throbbing toe. The medicine he used on it smelled of cherries. He was cursory and professional, but his touch came gentle. He didn’t twist my toe or bump it, but bathed it with light, slow dabs.
“This is just a topical.” He sounded almost bored. “It will numb it to some extent. I don’t think it’s broken, just cut, but I’ll also give you aspirin for the pain and that’s all you get.”
I didn’t argue. Whatever he gave seemed like a gift after the past sixteen hours.
Bast then proceeded to wrap the toe and then the front half of my foot in thicker, cottony gauze. “This will cushion it as you move around.”
I swallowed, my throat thick.
When he finished, he grabbed for my injured hand. I let him. He took off the sopping wet tape and re-splinted the finger with new tape, first wrapping it so it, like the toe, was cushioned.
“You’ve done this before?” I asked.
“Never.” He did not look up.
“Well, you’re doing a great job.”
When he was done, he leaned back. “You will let me know if the pain on your ribs and abdomen gives you more trouble.”
I nodded.
“I don’t want anyone else involved, but if I have to call a doctor, I know someone who will be discreet.”
Next, Bast handed me a bottle of cold water and two aspirin from a bottle in his first aid box. I downed them in one gulp.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
I still felt sick to my stomach. The bites of chocolate I’d eaten in the car roiled around inside me. “No. I just feel like I can’t even sit up anymore.”
“Lie down, then.” He pulled the covers away, revealing the sheets of the just-made bed. More guilt. More discomfort at my dire situation. I usually only felt deserving of care like this when Alphas paid me and got something in return.
Bast’s voice came again in its usual drone. As if he didn’t care, though his actions showed otherwise. “I don’t have to be back at work until tomorrow. If you need anything, I’ll be here.”
I scooted under the covers, aware even more, as the softness enveloped me, of my vulnerable state. My nakedness, save a thin pair of sleep pants, was about more than my body right now. My arms and legs shook. I closed my eyes as yet more tears heated the edges, slicking my eyelashes.
When I lay back on the pillows, a loud sigh escaped my lips. Hands drew covers over me and the sheets were crisp and cool against my chest. Finally, I could rest and know no harm would come to me. Finally, I could sleep.
The bed shifted as Bast got up and I heard his footfalls on the rug as he crossed the room. I blearily opened my eyes to see he hadn’t left, but had gone to an armchair in one corner.
His gaze remained on me. He seemed to be glaring, but I didn’t mind. I took comfort just knowing he’d probably be there when I woke.
Chapter Eight
Bast
When I woke, the room was dim. I’d dozed off in the recliner. The afternoon had gone.
My stomach growled.
I glanced at the lump in my bed. Kee slept on, curled on his right side, covers thrown back from his shoulder and arm showing a lot of golden and trimly muscled skin.
At some point, as I sat vigil over him, he’d tossed a bit and moaned in his sleep. But nothing too terrible. I’d adjusted his covers once; he didn’t wake.
