Bonds of Desire by Lynda Aicher Read Free Book Online Page A

were produced without conscious thought. “Right. I’ll sign your release papers. The nurse will be back in a moment.” He looked to the other two. “If there’s any sign of swelling or infection, bring him back immediately.”
    Bile rose in Tyler’s throat and he swallowed repeatedly to keep it down. No way in hell was he letting anyone close enough to check that out.
    An awkward silence settled over the space after the doctor’s departure. Tyler waited for the excuses to come. There was zero chance either one of them would stay with him. He was certain their agreement was for the doctor only. Not that he wanted them to see the dive he called home.
    Tyler bit his lips to hold back the groan as he shifted to lie on his side. Strong hands were immediately on his arm, helping to steady him. He shrugged them off, ignoring the licks of pain that followed the action. It was time to get the hell out of there. “Did you bring my stuff from the club locker?” Taking the bus wearing hospital scrubs would be a bitch. Plus he needed his wallet.
    “I’ll get your things when we get back to my loft,” Master Seth said from behind him.
    The lawyer shot a quick glare at the other man before turning her smile at Tyler. “If you prefer, you can stay at my place until you’re healed.”
    Tyler huffed out a tired laugh. “Right. Drop the act. I’m not gonna sue anyone, press charges or come after money. Stop pretending you care. Pay the hospital bill, give me my stuff and you’ll never see me again.” He closed his eyes, waiting to hear their retreat. He couldn’t watch them leave even though he was used to people doing that.
    “I’m not leaving you alone.” Master Seth’s deep voice growled like he was angered by Tyler’s words.
    “Me either,” the lawyer insisted, the determination clear in her tone.
    Hmmm...right. Now two people were fighting over him? Not likely. The obvious tension between the two smelled of a dominance battle he wanted no part of. But then, maybe that was the way to get rid of them. The effects of the medication and long night made his head heavy with fatigue until somehow the fuzzy logic made sense.
    Throw them at each other and watch them run.
    “Sure,” he mumbled. “I’ll go to Master Seth’s if she comes too.”

Chapter Five
    Allie ran her fingers through Tyler’s hair one last time before shifting back on the edge of the bed. The dim glow from the lamp on the dresser cast his face in hazy shadows. Relaxed in sleep, the sharp angles of his cheekbones and jaw appeared softer. Vulnerable. At this moment, he could easily pass for a college student. Yet his profession and defenses showed an aged bitterness based on hard experiences. He had a kick-before-being-kicked mentality.
    There were many, many layers to the man before her, ones that intrigued her more than they should. But then, that was true for almost everyone. People usually didn’t take the time to discover all of them.
    “Is he asleep?”
    She glanced over her shoulder, unaware of when Seth had returned. He appeared as tired and drained as she felt. His hair was down now, his silk shirt rumpled with the top three buttons undone, revealing glimpses of toned chest beneath. His hands were jammed deep within the pockets of his black slacks.
    “Yeah,” she answered softly. “He fell asleep right after you left.”
    “Good.” Seth crossed the room to stand beside her. Both of them stared at the man who occupied the bed. “He needs it.”
    Allie agreed silently. The quiet settled around them, their thoughts their own. She focused on the man she’d said she would help, not the disarming one who stood next to her. Tyler needed a lot of things. Only she didn’t know if she had anything he needed. The whole mess was complicated and filled with pitfalls waiting to suck her in. But she’d made a promise and she wouldn’t walk away. No matter how hard he pushed.
    “Did you get his stuff?” she asked. Tyler had been insistent