Oriana and the Three Werebears by Tia Fanning Read Free Book Online Page B

softly.
    “I didn’t see that earlier. Had I known—”
    “You couldn’t have known. I fell right before I came into the bunker. I imagine the bruises hadn’t colored yet.”
    “You need to see a doctor. You could have broken something or have internal bleeding.”
    She pulled up the blanket and turned back to him. “I’m fine, really. I can breathe without pain and I don’t have a fever. I’m just tired and bruised. It’s nothing a hot shower, some pain killers, and a good night’s sleep won’t fix”
    He didn’t look convinced.
    “I know you have a helicopter,” she continued, “but I really, really have no desire to travel to a hospital tonight. Please don’t make me go.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck as if weighing her request. Finally, he pushed out a heavy breath. “Jordan is our emergency medical guy. I’d better go hunt him down and bring him back.”
    Jack moved to leave, but she lightly pressed her palm to his hard chest to stop him. “Please, there’s no need.”
    Having him so close made her realize how large a man he truly was. She stared straight ahead to where her hand rested, his chest muscles flexing slightly under her touch, his body heat seeping into her fingers. She felt the beat of his heart, smelled the faint scent of his cologne, and longed to press her whole body against him. She was so cold and tired that she barely resisted the urge to melt against his strength and beg him to hold her.
    Loneliness, along with a need for comfort, washed over her. She’d almost forgotten what is was like to be near a man, let alone have to depend on one for something. Between the relationship-ending incident and her father’s illness, she’d been on own for a while—which was fine, as her father had raised her to be an independent person who could take care of herself. However, deep inside, she was still a woman with needs, and she realized how much she missed the simple things, such as male companionship.
    Her fingertips gently caressed the material of his shirt, and she thought she felt the steady thumping of his heart speed up. Though independent by nature, she was secure enough in herself not to be embarrassed to ask for help when she needed it—even if it meant relying on the kindness of strangers. That was risky in this day and age, but she didn’t mind risk. It made life that much more exciting. But perhaps she was asking too much of the sexy Samaritan in front of her.
    “Oriana,” he rasped, placing his hand over hers, halting her restless fingers.
    “I just want to take a hot shower and go back to bed—if you don’t mind me staying the night,” she said softly. “I was only asking for your help with the shower. I will understand if you tell me no.”
    His fingers wrapped around hers. “I will help you.”
    “Thanks.” She exhaled in relief.
    Still holding her hand, his free one came up and cupped her elbow as he guided her into the hallway.
    After the seemingly interminable walk to the bathroom, Jack lowered the toilet seat and guided her to sit down. He then turned on the tub’s faucet and plugged the drain.
    “Jack, I don’t know if I can take a bath. I might not be able to get down, or get back up.”
    “A bath will be better for you than standing on your feet and having the water pound on your skin. I’ll help you in and out of the tub—if you don’t mind.”
    “Sounds wonderful. Thank you again for doing this.”
    “No worries.” Jack crouched down and opened the cabinet beneath the sink. He pulled out a bottle of bubble bath, a blowup bath pillow, scented shower gel and a mesh pouf.
    Oriana raised her eyebrows.
    “Not mine,” he grumbled. “Jon’s into this froo-froo stuff. He says he’s embracing the ‘metrosexual lifestyle’, whatever the hell that means.”
    “Will Jon mind?”
    Jack poured bubble bath into the steaming water. “No. He likes you.”
    “Really? Why do you say that?”
    “He asked if we could keep you.”
    Though she never