Chapter 14

 

Rye spent most of the night consoling her, wrapping her in his strength while bolstering her with his words of wisdom and insight. His hard body cushioned her smaller frame, body heat warming her physically while his tender touches, nuzzles, and kisses heated her soul. Nothing would harm her while tucked in his embrace. She knew that for a fact.

The doorbell chimed late the next morning, waking Brie from a restless sleep. Voices carried softly down the hall, allowing her to identify the visitors.

"It appears this year's get well card is…" He opened the plastic bag containing a golden brown loaf and sniffed. "Banana bread."

"Thelma?" Her voice, husky from sleep, rasped out. Gingerly, she sat up, experimentally shifting, testing out the strength and discomfort of her stitches. Her hand rested against her lower belly, offering support to the newly repaired wound.

He nodded at her, his gaze taking in each and every movement. "Yeah. Jane, too." Absently, he stashed the bread on a nearby dresser shelf, striding over to offer his hand.

Taking it, she pulled lightly against his strength, managing to perch on the side of the bed much easier than anticipated. "The word must be out already." She sighed in weary acceptance. Not that she held animosity against the elderly ladies of the neighborhood, for they truly cared for her and the other community members. However, it made privacy near impossible when such gabby gossipmongers set their attentions her way.

"It's not bad. In fact, they were singing your high praises. Thelma declared you a local hero. Your aunt and mine have both called this morning, up in arms about what happened. They both took me to task with a stern tongue lashing. Oh, and they mentioned something about throwing a party later to celebrate your, and I quote, 'Tasing that bastard in the balls'." He released her hand and stepped back once more. "Need some help?"

She shook her head. "I'm just going to take a shower and get presentable." Catching the expression on his face, she quickly added, "I'm not frail and breakable. I swear." To prove her point, she stood up, headed toward her bathroom without a glance behind.

"Stubborn." He paused to pick up the gift from the dresser.

"Yeah, but you like me that way." With that said, she closed the door, and went about her shower.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged from her bedroom, hair still damp and clinging to the clean, pink T-shirt. Loose Capri shorts covered her bottom half. Anklet socks clung to bare feet, softening each step down the hall.

Rye glanced up from the living room, a slight grin crossing his face. "You clean up well."

She rolled her eyes at his words, but quickly settled next to him on the couch. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

With a quiet chuckle, he scooted closer, hands reaching down to latch onto the hem of the shirt. Ignoring the slight smacks and her complaints, he slowly lifted the material, peering intently underneath.

"Rye! Will you stop? The stitches are just fine."

He wadded up another handful of shirt, in order to trace the wound from hip to the center of her body. "I'm sure they are, but I'm going to check them anyway." His tone, though relaxed, shouted of determination.

"I'm a nurse, darn it. I am more than capable of assessing them."

"I didn't say you weren't, baby. I just need to see for myself." His eyes briefly met hers as he reached for the shorts and tugged downward.

Her face heated while she voiced a halfhearted complaint. Resisting the urge to squirm, she endured the embarrassment of his appraisal without further ado. She might as well be talking to a brick wall as arguing with him over this.

An achingly extended moment later, he replaced the material, gently tugging it over the exposed sutures. "Pretty sore, I bet."

She shrugged. "Not really."

The awkward silence droned on while she chewed her lip. The past day was a blur of violence, pain, anger, followed by tenderness and concern.

His strong arms reached out, pulling her across his lap. Without thought, she snuggled into his chest, wrapping both arms around his neck, allowing the steady beat of his heart to lull her nerves. His lips pressed a kiss to her forehead as one finger lifted her chin to meet his eyes.

"You okay?"

"I think so." A nod followed those words. Though a bit shaky, she quickly determined she could and would rise above this incident. Time heals all wounds.

He began to rub slow easy circles across her back, soothing the tension away. His gaze locked with hers, as if judging the truth to her words.

Leaning in, she rubbed her nose against his, unsure how to make the first move. She wanted his kiss, his affections. Whether for comfort or for another reason, she didn't care.

He met her nuzzling with a chaste kiss to her lips, lingering before softly opening.

She responded, her heart lifting with his actions. She cupped his face as he deepened the kiss while keeping the pace easy, relaxed, and gentle. Before long, she wrestled control away, using her tongue to prod his, flicking to and fro in an age-old game of tag.

Her breathing hitched as she shifted on his lap, seeking closeness, thrilling in the feel of his body beneath hers. Needing to catch her breath, she moved away from his delicious and talented mouth, sprinkling kisses across his chin.

Rye returned them before he cradled the back of her head, gently guiding it to rest back on his shoulder while the other arm tightened around her back, drawing her flush to his body.

"Rye…?"

"Shhh." He soothed, rubbing his cheek against hers.

"I want…" She paused, biting her lip in consideration.

"I know, baby. But, we can't right now."

She sat up, looking down into his face. A flash of hurt punctured her heart. For one moment, she knew he wanted her. The next, he quickly put the brakes on her affections and actions. Her belly sank as realization hit. "I'm sorry. I thought…" The words crackled past a blockage in her throat as she wiggled against his hold.

"Brie. No. You don't understand." He held her all the tighter, using his shoulder to twist her enough to look him in the eyes once more. A kiss brushed her lips before he spoke again. "I want you, too. If you doubt it, just move a bit to your left."

She did just that, her eyes widening at the bulge she felt under her body. A rather large one, in her estimation.

He chuckled and placed another kiss to her lips. "The doctor said no hanky-panky, remember? Not until the stitches are out." His face turned serious. "And, I want to make sure this is what you really want. Not that you're just seeking comfort."

Her brain slowly processed his words, recalling her discharge instructions from the emergency room. A frustrated sigh escaped as she rested her forehead against his. "Oh, yeah." Relief coursed through. Disappointment followed, but a sense of hope and pride that he would consider not only her physical wellbeing, but her emotional one as well.

She lifted her chin. "I really do want you. Not just as a…pacifier." Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth as she waited for his response.

She didn't have long to wait as a slow grin crept across his face. "Good." He nuzzled her neck and nipped her earlobe, seemingly content with her answer. "Haven't you heard? Waiting makes it better."

She snorted, jerking upward when his hand molded her rear. "Stop that." Her brows furrowed as she smacked at the offensive hand.

"Spoilsport."

"You're the one who just refused me," she quickly pointed out, fighting the smile as he squirmed at her wording.

"I didn't refuse you, silly squirrel. I postponed it because the doctor threatened to castrate me if I even halfway considered it." His mouth puckered into a pitiful pout.

Giggling, she tickled his sides. "You're such a baby." With a shake of her head, she settled away from the evidence of his desire.

Her spirits buoyed with his admission. Maybe there was a chance he could return her feelings after all. The thought alone rallied her determination and focus.

"I'm hungry."

She glanced up at him, one eyebrow shooting up at his declaration. Didn't they just cover this ground?

"I guess banana bread will just have to do." A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he sat her aside and stood. "For now." The sultry expression that followed sent her tummy to doing slow somersaults.