Bonds of Desire by Lynda Aicher Read Free Book Online

strapped to the cross.
    “You don’t have to talk,” she reassured, giving his arm a squeeze. “We’ll take care of everything.”
    How? How could those two possibly take care of everything? The thought was so ridiculous he almost laughed. They had no clue.
    He turned his head and stared at her. She gave him a smile, her curls falling across her arm as she bent to see his face better. She was really attractive. He could appreciate that, even though he usually swung the other way. Usually. There was something about the way she looked into him, not at him, that kicked at his chest. Stupid thoughts, really.
    The curtain was drawn aside again, and the doctor stepped in. He took a second to glance through the notes on the clipboard before looking up. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose before nodding at the two new guests. His focus turned to Tyler, and the lawyer stepped back letting the doctor have her spot next to the bed.
    “How are you feeling?” The doctor smiled a brief flash of teeth before his gaze shifted to Tyler’s back.
    “Fine,” he grumbled. He appreciated the doctor’s brisk, efficient approach that had withheld obvious judgment.
    The doctor looked back to Tyler. “Do I have your permission to discuss your condition in front of your guests?”
    What the hell did it matter at this point? “Yes.”
    “I’ll ask you one more time, Mr. Wysong, do you want me to call the police?”
    “No.” Tyler wanted to close his eyes against the censure he knew he would see, but instead he bit his cheek and stared the man down.
    “Tyler.” The lawyer stepped up, grasping his calf through the light sheet. “I think you should reconsider. You were brutally assaulted. The police can file a report and see that the person who did this is held accountable.”
    Tyler glared over his shoulder at the ever-calm lawyer. She was all pristine in her beliefs of the justice system. He knew better. “I. Said. No.” His snarl conveyed the complete contempt he felt for the law. No doubt they’d blame him for what happened, especially when they found out who the perpetrator was and compared that to what Tyler did for a living.
    The doctor sighed, an exhausted breath telling of the number of times he’d been through the same scenario. “If you change your mind about pressing charges, the collected evidence will be on file.” He paused, flipped some pages on his clipboard then pressed on. “You’ll be in pain for a while. The nurse will have your prescriptions and the instructions for keeping your wounds cleaned. You also have a minor concussion that should be monitored for twenty-four hours.” He looked up, he gaze shooting between the two guests. “Is one of you going home with him?”
    “Yes.” The unison answer blended in the room in an odd harmony.
    Tyler chuckled then cringed. Fuck , that hurt . Even with the meds.
    The doctor nodded again. “Good. His back is going to sting but shouldn’t scar too bad if the medication is applied regularly. His other injuries are going to take time to heal. The tearing required stitches that will dissolve on their own in about a week. Until then, things are going to be tender down there.”
    Heat flushed Tyler’s face. Evidently, embarrassment was still possible, even after all the shit he’d been through that night. So much for the drugs numbing his emotions.
    After another shuffle of papers, the doctor removed a card from the pocket of his white lab coat and placed it in Tyler’s hand. “Here’s the number of a therapist who works with assault victims. I know you refused consultation and deny that this was rape, but I hope you’ll reconsider giving her a call.”
    Tyler fisted his hand around the card until the paper crushed in his palm. Therapist? Not a chance. He wasn’t raped, no matter what the doctor tried to say. It wasn’t rape when he gave consent.
    The doctor gave another sigh, his movements a series of seemingly repeated actions that