Dead World 1, page 19
“Morgan?”
“Who else would it be?” The playful tone in his voice surprised her.
“I…uh...”
“Don’t make any sudden moves. You don’t want to rip the bandages.”
Something tickled the back of her neck. She quivered. Red realized it was his hot breath a second before his hand stroked over her stomach, sending heat radiating out until her fingers and toes tingled.
Red swallowed hard, attempting to ignore her response to his nearness and the erection nudging her. Impossible to do given its size. The growing awareness stretched between them. Her nipples puckered and moisture seeped between her thighs.
Morgan’s fingers bunched in her shirt, but he didn’t try to remove it. She felt every muscle in his body grow rigid. He unclenched his hands, releasing her clothes but kept his arm draped over her. What was he waiting for?
Red realized that some part of her wanted him to rip her clothes off. She wanted him to lay bare what had been building between them, so that they could both move on when it was time for her to return home. The ache between her legs turned into a steady throb.
She had to leave. Now. Before she did something torturously stupid like beg. “You should probably let me up,” she suggested, even though the last thing she wanted to do was get out of the rest pad.
Morgan bucked his hips and she gasped. Her body threatened to melt as desire welled inside of her.
“Morgan, I—”
“I know.” He reluctantly released her. “You’re hurt.”
Red cleared her throat. “Actually, I’m feeling much better.” She rolled out of bed and staggered to her feet. Pain shot through her body. Red swayed. Morgan was up and out of the rest pad in seconds, pulling her against his bare chest.
“Are you okay?” He tilted her chin until he could look into her eyes. Concern and something else etched his sleep-weary features.
Meeting his gaze was a mistake. Red found herself falling into the honey-rich pools. She swayed into him. This time her loss of balance had nothing to do with her injuries. His grip on her tightened.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed. You took a lot of hard knocks last night. How are you feeling?” His hands soothed her skin, as if he needed the contact as much as she did.
“I’m fine. Just a little shaky.” Red brushed the hair out of her face. “I need to get to the emergency care center and check on Jesse.”
He wrapped her in his embrace, careful to avoid her bruises. “I understand.” Morgan brushed his lips over her forehead.
Red wasn’t sure what to make of this ‘new’ caring version of Morgan Hunter. Somehow the attack had destroyed whatever internal barriers had kept them apart.
He no longer hid his emotions or affections, which made Red cling even more desperately to her shields. Morgan didn’t notice. Either that or he didn’t seem to care.
“I’d tell you to use the cleansing room first, but I’m afraid to let you go in there by yourself. You still aren’t steady on your feet.” He glanced at a small room off the main living space.
Red turned fully in his arms. “What exactly are you suggesting?” Her eyes widened when she glimpsed the fire in his amber gaze. “I think I’ll be all right.”
Morgan shook his head. “I’m not willing to take that chance.”
“But—”
“You’re used to public cleansing rooms.” It was a statement of fact, since everyone alive on the planet had used a public cleansing room to bath at one time or another.
“Yes.”
His expression turned speculative. “You’re not modest, are you?” He laughed at his own question. He knew just like she did that modesty went out of fashion over a hundred years ago.
Red glared. “No.”
“So then us bathing together isn’t going to be a problem.”
Red knew logically that bathing with an audience shouldn’t be a problem—and it wasn’t...normally. She’d done it so many times before that she wasn’t even aware of the people around her.
And that was the crux of her problem, she was overly aware of Morgan. She’d never showered in front of a man like him. Heck, she’d never met a man like him before coming to Nuria. It was like he was a different species, and Red couldn’t take her eyes off him.
For the first time since she could remember, Red actually felt uncomfortable. Her stomach fluttered at thought of him staring at her nude form. She swallowed hard.
“I probably don’t need a shower today.” The excuse sounded lame to her own ears.
Morgan laughed. “You have dried blood in your hair, and no offense, but you stink.”
Red smirked. “Thanks.”
“You don’t want to show up at Jesse’s bedside looking like you just left the water exchange. She’s been through enough already.”
He was right, but that didn’t make her decision any easier. Red was in no way ashamed of her body, never had been. She liked the muscles in her legs and arms, and the concave dip in her stomach. Red even liked her wide hips, but that didn’t mean she wanted Morgan inspecting them while she did her best to pretend that he wasn’t there.
Red rolled her shoulders. She was being ridiculous. This was just a shower. She’d make it quick, then get dressed and head to town.
Morgan leaned in until his mouth brushed her ear. “You ready to let me bathe you?”
The breath left Red’s lungs in a whoosh. Her eyes automatically strayed down to the front of Morgan’s pants. The ridge of his erection was still clearly visible in the loose clothing. Her eyes shot back to his face in time to see him wipe away a wicked smile.
“I didn’t mean to kiss you last night,” Red blurted out the lie before she could stop herself.
He shrugged, seemingly unaffected. “You may not have meant to, but I’m sure glad you did. I doubt I could’ve waited much longer.” His gaze locked on her mouth and he ran his thumb along her jaw line, careful to avoid the bruises.
Red quaked despite her resolve, then shook her head. She had to think clearly and Morgan touching her wasn’t helping. “I mean it was wrong after everything that had happened.”
Morgan’s teasing expression faded and he reached down to grasp her upper arm. “Sometimes when we’ve been through a traumatic event we just need physical contact to ensure we’re still alive.”
“I don’t need physical contact,” she denied.
His gaze softened. “We all need human contact, Gina, even those of us who deny it. I’m not about to apologize for that kiss. I’ve wanted to do that ever since I laid eyes on you, and you can’t tell me that you haven’t felt the same.” He stepped back, daring her to refute his words.
Red’s mouth open and closed a few times, then she glanced away. She couldn’t lie to him again, no matter how badly she wanted to. “Fine. We can shower together, but only this one time.” She stomped off to the cleansing room without a backwards glance.
Morgan watched Gina walk away. He’d angered her, but he wasn’t about to let her deny what was happening between them, even if he didn’t understand it all yet.
He followed her into the cleansing room, trying not to gape as she stripped off her clothes. Her rosy nipples peaked under his gaze.
Looking down, he caught a glimpse of her sex. It was bare except for a thin strip of short dark curls. He swallowed hard to keep from drooling. The urge to drop to his knees and bury his face between her legs rode him hard.
Naked, Gina was even more beautiful than he’d imagined. It had been sheer hell, trying not to touch her all night. Now, he could barely breathe.
Every movement was agony. His shaft rose to full mast as he unbuttoned his pants with trembling fingers. At this rate, he’d never survive the shower.
Gina leaned over and turned on the chemical spray. The pale globes of her bottom jiggled enticingly and Morgan bit the inside of his mouth to keep from groaning. It would be so easy to bend her over and sink into her from behind. The beast within him wanted that and more.
Morgan’s body shuddered as he took a step back. He needed to keep her out of reach, until he had himself under control. Gina didn’t wait for him to finish undressing. She immediately stepped under the spray.
By the time Morgan got around to dropping his pants, she’d finished bathing. Gina stepped out of the shower and glanced down at his hard shaft. Her brow slowly arched.
“Guess it’s a good thing I went first,” she said. “I don’t think we would’ve all fit in there together.” Gina grinned, then grabbed a towel and left the room.
Morgan stood there riveted in place. His mind replayed every word and every step he’d made. He’d seen the curiosity and the hunger burning in Gina’s eyes, even though she’d masked it with humor. A smile twisted his lips and he laughed, then jumped in the shower.
Gina wasn’t about to just fall into his bed, but that didn’t matter because like all wolves, Morgan loved a good chase.
Red and Morgan drove to the emergency care center. The halls were quiet when they arrived with only a few visitors and on-call staff around. Jesse Lindley’s eyes were closed as they entered her room and her breath rattled in her chest. Red frowned when she heard the sound and so did Morgan.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the old woman. “I thought she’d show improvement today.”
“She should have,” he said evasively.
“She doesn’t look any better to me. What do you think?” Red’s concern caused her voice to quaver.
Morgan stared at Jesse. “Her color has improved a little, but I expected her to be awake.”
Red’s brows drew together. She’d hoped Jesse would be awake by now, too. Partly because she needed answers, but mainly because it would let her know Jesse was going to be okay. Instead, it looked as if she were barely clinging to life.
“There has to be something we can do.” She felt utterly hopeless as she listened to the blips and blurps of the machines.
Morgan glanced at her. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“To find Kane and get some answers.”
Red looked at Jesse.
Morgan squeezed her hand in reassurance, then left. The second the door closed behind him, Jesse’s eyes flew open. Red gasped and rushed forward.
“How are you feeling? Are you in pain? What can I do?” The questions slurred together in her haste.
Jesse tried to open her jaw and speak. She winced at the effort.
“They had to seal your jaw shut because it was broken in the struggle,” Red said.
Jesse held up her bandaged hand and pretended to write.
“Of course.” Red began searching the drawers in a nearby cabinet in hopes of finding synth-paper and a pen. Jesse couldn’t speak, but she could communicate. Red found the items and returned to Jesse’s side.
Putting the pen in her hand, Red held the paper steady. Jesse had just put the tip of the pen onto the paper when the door flew open. Her eyes widened and she quickly scribbled something that Red couldn’t make out, then pushed the paper aside in disgust.
“What is this? I don’t understand,” Red murmured, trying to decipher what she’d written. Her gaze followed Jesse’s line of sight. Morgan and Kane stood in the doorway.
She looked back at Jesse and saw the fright etched upon her features. Red crumpled the page and shoved it into her pocket, then faced the men.
Why would Jesse be afraid of Morgan and Kane? Was she expecting someone else? Did she think the killer had returned? Red reached down to squeeze Jesse’s hand.
The old woman moved fast, clutching Red’s forearm in a death grip. Her gaze went back to the two men and her hand tightened to the point of pain.
Red’s muscles coiled and gooseflesh dotted her skin. Jesse was trying to warn her. She had no doubt in her mind. The question was, about what? And who? Red nodded in understanding and she released her. Jesse seemed to visibly relax.
“It’s nice to see that you’re finally awake.” Kane stepped forward.
Morgan followed.
“Red, you’re looking better. Did you sleep well?” Kane’s expression took on a lascivious cast.
Red stiffened and her gaze shot to Morgan, but his attention was locked on Jesse. Had he told Kane about the shower this morning? It didn’t seem like something Morgan would do, but then again, she didn’t know him well. In truth, she didn’t know either them.
“How is she doing?” Red asked, instead of answering Kane’s question.
“She’s okay. Still in a lot of pain. I’ll have to give her something to take care of it.”
Jesse shook her head violently.
Morgan turned to his cousin. “I don’t think she wants the medication. It might be best to allow her to heal naturally.”
Kane smiled. “I think I know what’s best for my patient, sheriff.” He reached out and touched Jesse.
She flinched.
“See, I told you she was in pain.”
Jesse’s eyes filled with tears as Kane brought an inoculator to her arm.
“It’ll be okay. Soon your troubles will be over.” He pushed it through her skin and releasing the plunger.
Her eyes swam a second, then drooped.
“She’ll be out for several hours,” Kane said. “You’re welcome to stay, but I don’t think there’s much point.”
Morgan glanced at Red. He didn’t look happy, if the tic in his jaw was any indication. “I have some reports to file at the office. It shouldn’t take long. Do you want to come with me?”
“No.” Red shook her head. “I’m going to head over to the dissecting lab. I have to speak with Jim about something.” She gazed at Jesse a moment longer, fear still beating at her. The warning was clear, even if her method was not.
Kane grabbed her hand, tearing her away from her thoughts. Morgan’s gaze zeroed in on their joined fingers. He stepped forward, as if to separate them, but stopped short of doing so.
“I’d like to check you out before you leave in case that machine of yours missed something.” Kane’s grip on her firmed when he noticed Morgan’s reaction.
“Sure, but you’re wasting your time.” Red shrugged. “Rita’s never wrong.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to see for myself,” he said, leading her toward the door.
“Make it fast,” Red said.
Morgan’s body remained tense.
“I thought you were going to your office, cousin.” Kane prodded with a smile.
Morgan returned his grin, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather make sure Gina is okay first.”
Kane’s expression soured. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“I know, but I’d feel better if I were there all the same,” Morgan said.
“Suit yourself,” Kane replied, guiding Red out of the room.
The examination only lasted a couple of minutes. Kane rushed through it with Morgan looking over his shoulder. Normally, Red would’ve been annoyed by Morgan’s overbearing behavior, but Jesse’s warning had her on edge. She needed to figure out what the note meant, but she couldn’t do that with either of them around.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay on your own?” Morgan asked, as they reached his office.
“I’ll be fine,” Red said. “I don’t plan to go anywhere else besides the dissecting lab.”
He frowned.
“I swear,” she added.
Morgan didn’t look convinced by her sincerity, but he nodded anyway. “I will give Jim a call and let him know that you’re on your way. I’ll be over as soon as I finish my reports. If I have to step out, Maggie will know how to find me. Don’t go anywhere other than the dissecting lab without letting me know. I don’t want a repeat of last night.”
Red’s temper flared. “I don’t need your permission, sheriff.”
Morgan’s lips thinned. “If you can’t listen to orders, then I’ll have to assign one of my deputies to stand guard over you.”
Her eyes bugged. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?” He cocked his head in challenge.
“I do not need a babysitter,” Red said between clenched teeth. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“I beg to differ,” He stepped close enough to crowd her. “Last night you came very close to dying.”
Red’s body came to life at his nearness, softening despite the anger coursing through her veins. “Morgan, I…” She cleared her throat to remove the unexpected rasp.
“I’ve given you a choice,” he said gently, his gaze latching onto her mouth.
Red licked her lips. “I’ll stay with Jim.”
“Good idea.” He flashed her a victorious smile.
25
Jim stood in the dissecting lab hosing down the empty tables with sanitizing spray. Protective clothing covered his body and a filtered mask concealed his mouth.
Red stepped into the room and gagged as the noxious odor filled her lungs. Her eyes began to water and Jim’s image blurred.
“Sorry, my dear. I didn’t notice you standing there. It’s good to see you up and about,” Jim said, voice muffled. Shutting off the valve, he gazed at her.
Red wiped her eyes.
“Stinks, doesn’t it?” he asked.
She coughed unable to answer.
“It’s gotten so that I barely notice it myself.”
Red rubbed her nose. “I don’t know how you could miss it.”
Jim shrugged and smiled. “Thirty years of doing this job and your olfactory senses are permanently fried.”
She laughed. “I’m sure that’s a defense mechanism.”
Jim’s eyes twinkled. “Now, I know you haven’t come down here to talk about my job and the various odors associated with it.”
“No.” Red straightened and breathed through her mouth. “I’ve come about that shirt I gave you the other day.” Her stomach clenched at the thought. What had the blood revealed?
