Page 41 of Feral Attraction
“I like your spirit, though.”She rested a hand on his leg, needing to touch him, to make sure he was alive.
Con’s palm squeezed hers.“Remember that when I’m better.”
“How could I forget?”And she couldn’t.Rey turned off most men.She was too tall, too assertive, or too well armed.Only Con accepted her as she was.
“I won’t let you.I’m just gonna close my eyes and rest.Stop somewhere and wake me so I can get out of this gown.I feel ridiculous.”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but you kinda look ridiculous.Not too many men can carry off a hospital gown and boots.”
Though Con slept, he was restless, moaning every time he changed positions.She pulled over at a rest stop and helped Con change in the men’s bathroom.Blood seeped through his bandage.
Idiot.
He should still be at the hospital.When they arrived at her condo, she helped him into the elevator and through the door.He stumbled into the living room, kicking off his boots and falling onto the floor.Struggling to get his pants down his legs and failing, he ripped his shirt overhead instead.
In a flash of light, he changed before her eyes, his pants in tatters.His glorious wolf staggered before falling to his belly on the tile, blood pouring from his chest and pooling on the ground beneath him.
Rey didn’t know what to do.The wolf took a deep breath and exhaled.She got an afghan off the sofa and threw it over him.Sure.He was covered in fur, but he was a man, too.She wanted to comfort him.
Dropping to the floor beside him, she watched the pool of blood grow bigger.Should she do something or trust the wolf to heal Con?Decision made.She’d trust his beast.
Rey lowered her head to his back, resting it there as her hand stroked his fur, a spectacular shade of white with blond streaks, marred only by the wound.His pelt was soft.Unlike the male beneath it.Rey couldn’t bear it if Con died.But it wasn’t because he was helping her on this case.She was falling in love with the man she’d never have.How could she have fallen so hard, so quickly?
Her brusque, all-business exterior hadn’t driven him away.Rather, he seemed to consider her a challenge.
Con woke once and staggered into the kitchen.When he nosed the refrigerator, she got the hint.
After thawing a steak in the microwave, she cut it into chunks and set them and water on the floor.
He chowed down on the beef and drank all the water.When she refilled the bowl, he’d fallen asleep on the floor.Once again, she took up her position beside him.
No blood.That was a good sign.
After a time, Rey went into the bathroom, took care of business, showered, and changed clothes.She returned to Con, who was still on the kitchen floor, snuffling sounds escaping his lips.
She made herself a sandwich, pulled out a chair, and ate half of it.After pushing the plate aside, she resumed her watch.Con’s body rose and fell with a deep sigh.She hoped that her fingers caressing his fur eased his pain.
The wolf’s eyes shot open.He fixed on her.His lips pulled back to reveal his sharp canines.He rose to his feet, steadier now.As he shook, his entire body trembled.Light flashed, and he faced Rey on two legs.
A naked Con stretched his arms overhead and arched his back.
Very nice for an old man.
