Marly's Choice (Men of August 1)

“I thought something smelled,” the good doctor muttered beneath his breath, but Marly caught the words, as did Cade.

Once again, his gaze came back to hers, cool and probing, as though she couldn’t see the lie in those stormy depths.

“Thanks for patching me up, Doc.” Cade cleared his throat as he broke Marly’s stare. “I knew I could depend on you.”

“Just wait till you get the bill. Pulling me out of bed after midnight is extra time, young man. I need my sleep,” the doctor grumbled as he closed the old fashioned black bag he carried as he moved for the door. “I’m going home now. Try to stay away from rabid animals in the future.”

“I’ll walk you down, Doc.” Brock moved behind the older man, and Marly noticed he still hadn’t removed the gun belt he wore, or the lethal pistol encased in it.

“Thank you there, young man. No telling how many of those critters are lurking outside the front door.” The doctor’s voice was definitely mocking this time. He didn’t believe them any more than Marly did.

Marly looked back at Cade, then at Sam. She stared at the younger brother coolly, arching her eyebrow curiously as he began to shift nervously beneath her regard.

“Are you feeling any better, Marly?” Cade’s tired voice drew her attention from his brother and back to him.

“A bit,” she answered him carefully. “The headache’s gone now.”

“Good.” He closed his eyes, then opened them again. The injection the doctor had given him earlier must be knocking him out. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“I could tell.” She tilted her head, watching him as his eyes grew dark with weariness.

She watched as he sighed deeply.

“You’re angry.” He shifted uncomfortably on the bed, wincing at the pain in his shoulder and ribs. “It was an accident Marly.”

Marly glanced at Sam as he shifted nervously while Cade spoke. He stood with his rear braced against the dresser, watching Cade and Marly silently.

“Was it?” she asked him as she continued to watch Sam.

Sam avoided her gaze, and Marly’s eyes narrowed. Sam was too open for the lies they were trying to pull over on her. Marly’s only question was why they were lying.

“Stop trying to intimidate Sam, Marly,” Cade sighed.

“Stop trying to lie to me, Cade.” She leaned back in the chair once again, crossing her legs as she adjusted her robe. “What happened out there?”

He looked at her, his eyes heavy-lidded.

“Wolf.”

“My ass,” she snorted.

“You have a fine ass, darlin’. So pretty and tight it’s enough to make a man come just thinking about it.” Marly sighed in exasperation as Cade’s voice slurred.

It was more than obvious she would get nothing out of him tonight.

“Sam, go help Brock.” Cade glanced over at his brother, and Marly saw the edge of concern in his expression.

“Sure thing, Cade.” Sam nodded, then looked over at Marly.

“Marly, keep me warm.” Cade patted the bedside him. “Come on honey, I need you tonight.”

Sam blinked in surprise. Then he shook his head as he smiled and walked from the room.

“Please, Marly,” Cade whispered when she stood, turning on the table light and turning off the bright overhead light. “Sleep with me.”

Marly trembled at the sound of his voice, the husky bass, like a deep, sensual rumble. It stroked over her body like a physical caress.

“You should rest.” She stood at the side of the bed, watching his eyes darken, like dark heavy clouds amassing for a storm.