Chapter 10 #2
She began gently pulling off his clothes, careful not to hurt his injuries. He would be glad when he was all healed up. Being pampered felt foreign to him, though when she was pampering him, he liked that. The numbing medicine would keep his injuries from hurting for a while.
He watched the furrow of concentration in her brow as she pulled his blood-stained T-shirt over his head, careful not to brush his fresh bruises or dislodge his bandages. She slid her hands down his chest, avoiding his bandaged wounds. She hesitated, her breath catching faintly.
He would have laughed, had it not hurt to do so.
A week earlier, the idea of allowing anyone else to baby him wouldn’t have occurred to him.
He’d always seen his own body as a means to fight, protect, and make things right.
Yet there was something in the gentle firmness of her touch that made him, for once, want to enjoy the tactile experience.
There was only the ache in his muscles, the gentle scrape of her fingers, and the awareness that she was doing this not out of obligation, but because she wanted him to rest and heal.
She unfastened his belt and then his cargo pants.
She pulled them down slowly, again, being careful not to pull any bandages loose, but they seemed to be sticking really well.
Still, her touch was so tender that he was annoyed with himself when his arousal began stirring. She chuckled, pulled back the covers, and had him sit on the bed. She pulled off his boots, socks, and pants.
Then he climbed into bed, and she took his clothes into the bathroom to soak them to remove the blood. She stripped down to her underwear and joined him. “I would cuddle with you, but I don’t want to touch any of your injuries.”
He patted the mattress next to him. “You are too far away.”
She smiled. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
“Tell me if I hurt you. Don’t be all macho and tough.”
He smiled and ran his hands through her hair, just as tenderly as she had touched him. Then he pulled her close, and she cuddled against him.
He just hoped he wouldn’t have a nightmare after the bear fight, cry out, and scare her to death.
They’d had a vigorous day of hiking and fighting the bear, and the adrenaline that had filled their blood had dissipated. But their pheromones were doing a number on him.
He’d never been interested in another female bear in this way. He found it exhilarating and amazing at the same time. Even when he was fighting the bear, he had wanted to impress her, demonstrate his size and wit. Now he wanted to press close and catch her scent, musky and layered, sweet.
The more he tried to resist it, the more she broke down his resistance.
He wanted to kiss her deeply, but his mouth hurt from the vicious clash of teeth with the other bear so he needed to wait until it felt better.
"We can kiss tomorrow," he said, wanting her to know that he desired nothing more than to kiss her deeply, but that he just couldn't. Not until his mouth healed up a bit.
She smiled. "I'll kiss you where it doesn't hurt and expect your kisses when you're able to do so."
"Guaranteed."
She kissed his forehead, cheek, his chin, and his chest. But she did so with reverence, loving, and in a lingering way that made his arousal stir all over again. God, he wanted her.
She sat on top of him and rubbed herself against his erection.
He ran his hands over her thighs. He was damn glad the bear hadn't hurt her.
She moved over and pulled his boxer briefs off, then removed her bra and panties.
She didn't even need to rub on him anymore.
He was already for her, and he could smell that she was eager for him.
He slipped his hand between her legs. She was wet.
He turned over on his good side and began stroking her into a state of bliss. She groaned and lay on her back, soaking up his attention. She began arching up, and he wanted to make love to her right then and there. But he continued to stroke her until she cried out with blissful delight.
Then she kissed his cheek and climbed on top of him again, while he seated himself inside her.
He thrust deep inside her, and she rocked against him.
He hadn’t really thought he would make love to her after that fight, not until he healed up.
But he was glad for this, glad to be with her, both safe and sound, enjoying the intimacy between them.
Her phone rang, and it was a bear's growl. She shook her head and didn’t answer it, to her credit. If his phone had rung, he wouldn’t have either. Not now.
He kept thrusting. Then he was coming in a big way, forgetting all about his injuries or muscle aches. He was so wrapped up in his overwhelming feelings for her, the sexual excitement, the adrenaline surging, that he couldn’t hold back any longer and let go.
As if she was worried that he might be feeling bad and didn’t want to tell her, she moved off him and collapsed on her back next to him. She smiled at him, kissed his nipple, and then snuggled up to his naked body. “Are you all right?”
He chuckled, loving the feel of her heat, softness, and tenderness. “Better than all right. You make all the hurts go away.”
“Good. I’m so glad. And I was even more glad we could make love to each other.” She kissed his cheek.
“I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”