24. Stitches
Rebel
I ’m a lousy patient. I’ve been an ass to Sadie McCowan, but I can’t seem to help myself. I’m either going to be a sarcastic dick, or I’ll grab her by the hand and pull her onto the bed and kiss her plump pink lips. She’s infuriating, with her perky attitude and the way she calls me Mr. Hanes with a shy grin when she gives me my pills.
That smile packs a wallop. Then she touches me when she changes my dressing, and it takes every ounce of willpower to hold myself totally still. Her warm breath on my skin, the way she bites her lower lip when concentrating is a total turn-on.
My only recourse is being a dick to keep her at a distance.
“How long does it take?” I ask impatiently. I need to get her hands off me.
“It will take as long as I need to make sure it’s done correctly.” She continues with her soft hands on my stomach to put the bandage in place.
“I got shit to do,” I grunt.
“Oh yeah, you planning on running the five-kilometer marathon? Or maybe you plan on continuing your salsa dance lessons,” she teases. I don’t rattle her. “Did you have lunch?”
“I’ll get it in a bit.” The last thing I want is to have Sadie watch me struggle to get to the kitchen. Falcon’s been good about leaving meals for me to warm up.
“You need to keep up your strength. I can fix you something,” she says.
“Don’t you have someone else to torture?”
“Nope. I’m your full-time pain in the ass until Falcon says otherwise.” She lifts a brow and crosses her arms.
The easier option is to put some distance between us. “Fine. Lunch would be good.” It’ll give me time to get up and compose myself. Tonight, I’ll talk to Falcon about calling off his hound.
She’s been with me day and night for over two weeks. The first week, she slept on a cot in my room. Sadie’s an angel with a heart of gold, with just enough attitude to make me want to know more about her.
The problem is, I’m beginning to like having her around, and that’s not good for either of us. I made the decision a long time ago that I’m better off alone. Sadie McCowan cannot be the exception.