Reed (Allen Securities) by Madison Stevens Read Free Book Online Page B

socks, she went to his bathroom. He heard the slap of cabinets as she made her way around the room and the sound of running water. Olivia came back in with a washcloth and a few other items he couldn’t really see.
    Focused on the task at hand, she set to cleaning off the black grime. When she had gotten his leg and arms mostly clean, she disappeared into the bathroom again. Clean cloth in hand she started in on his chest, gingerly swiping across the damaged area. When he hissed, she looked up at him.
    “You probably should have gone to the hospital,” she said. Worry was evident in her eyes.
    “No point,” he said. “It’s not broken. Nothing they could have done.”
    “They could have given you some pain killers,” she said quietly, inspecting the little blisters.
    Reed shook his head. “Can’t have dulled senses right now.”
    Olivia stilled her hand and looked at him once again.
    “Are we in that much danger?” Her lip quivered as she spoke.
    “We could be,” he said honestly. “Neil’s involved with the Russians. They aren’t the kind of men you want to mess with.”
    “I gathered,” she said, as she rubbed ointment over the blisters.
    “What has Ben got to do with all this?” she asked.
    Reed sighed. “Ben tried to blackmail a very important person and ended up getting double-crossed. Any more than that and it would put you at too much risk. The less you know, the better.”
    Reed watched fascinated as she tended to the bruise, coating the blisters with an antibiotic ointment. She pulled out some gauze packets and tape. When she had finished, he continued to stare at the bandage.
    He nearly jumped off the bed when her cool fingers skimmed a cut on his eyebrow.
    “Hold still,” she said firmly.
    Her warm vanilla scent once again enveloped him and calmed his overactive nerves. He was surprised there was any left after the night’s events and soot. It was really silly that he would be nervous at all. It wasn’t like she was trying to put the moves on her. Reed just prayed that his dick wouldn’t develop a mind of its own and decide to make a visit.
    He winced when she pinched the cut. The cool washcloth was a relief. Then her prodding finger was back slicking more antibiotics. When she put the butterfly bandage on, he dared to open his eyes.
    Her face was close to his and deep in concentration. His heart leapt at her nearness. He could see the paleness of her eyes that were yellowed along the pupil, turning the edges an odd shade of green. A light smattering of freckles dotted her nose and cheeks. It wasn’t something he noticed unless right up next to her.
    When she skimmed the cut on his lip, he inhaled sharply. Her eyes found his own. He could see her breath quicken. The short puffs of air hit him hard as his gaze slid to her own mouth. Her tongue darted as she licked them and he groaned. The evidence of his arousal was prominently standing between them. Her kneeling in front of him wasn’t helping matters.
    He warred with himself. The logical side said it was a bad idea to get involved with a woman like her, but the more primal side was winning out.
    His heart nearly leapt out of his chest when she spoke.
    “I don’t think you should sleep on the couch.”
    The air stilled between him as his heart beat wildly. He swallowed the lump in the throat.
    “You don’t?” he croaked out. Reed cursed the excitement that coursed through him at spending a night with her.
    Olivia leaned back and shook her head.
    “I’m fairly sure you have a concussion.” She stood, and he felt some of the excitement wane. “You should sleep near me, so I can check on you.”
    Reed stared into her earnest eyes and knew he wouldn’t win this one. He could only hope she hadn’t seen his excitement.
    “Okay,” he said finally.
    Olivia nodded and stood.
    “I’m going to take a shower. If you need me, just yell.” She walked to his closet and pulled down a t-shirt. “I’ll need to borrow this. Maybe