Wow!
Drew pauses before carefully removing the towel to assess my wound.
“It isn’t that bad. It’s big, but not deep, so it shouldn’t leave a scar or anything.” Drew looks at me and smiles. “Wouldn’t want to ruin that perfect skin.”
My heart stops when he smiles at me. He has brilliant white teeth and full lips, light stubble covers his angular jaw. I notice that his eyes aren’t the green I originally thought, but green with a dark ring of brown in the center. What does me in is the single dimple that appears on his right cheek when he smiles.
The heat I felt in my arm has taken root and begins to grow. What started as a small burn is rapidly building into a smoldering fire. I shift uncomfortably on the bench, hoping to rein in the urge to tackle him to the ground and grind on his hard body.
Sydney, whatever has gotten into you needs to stop right now.
“Take off that jacket while I get what I need.”
Aren’t we bossy.
I finally stop my gawking and do as he asks.
When Drew turns away to rummage through the first aid kit, I let out the breath I’d been holding in an attempt to keep him from noticing how heavy my breathing has become.
“Here.” His deep, calm voice wraps around me like a warm blanket. “This may sting. I’m sorry, Sydney.” Drew’s eyes look pained as he presses a cold, wet gauze pad to my arm.
I flinch, unable to stop myself from hissing when the antiseptic hits my skin.
“I’m sorry,” he says again.
“It’s okay.” It seems that Drew feels genuine remorse for hurting me even though he’s the one helping me. He’s sensitive, caring. A contradictory quality for a man who hits other people for fun.
Drew reaches back into the kit and pulls out a large bandage and some gauze. Laying it on my arm, he wraps it up quickly and efficiently.
“Looks like you’ve done this before.” I grin at the professional job he did on my wound.
“Yeah, a few times….” Drew glances up at me and stops. I watch as his eyes dilate and his lips part. The smoldering fire grows larger, turning into a raging inferno inside me.
Drew shakes his head and looks away, putting back everything he took out of the kit.
I’m about to pull away from his grasp when he sucks in a pained breath and clutches my wrist a little tighter. Drew trails a long, rough finger from my thumb to my elbow, following along the jagged pink path of a very old scar.
“What happened?” he whispers.
Instinctively, I yank my arm away, swallowing down the lump that has formed in my throat.
“Nothing, I’m fine.” Without any explanation, I jump up and wrap my arms around my stomach to keep from falling apart. “Thank you for fixing me, I really appreciate it.”
Memories I’ve repressed for years come flooding back. I bolt for the door, keeping my head down so Drew won’t see the unshed tears that threaten to fall. I don’t discuss that scar, not with anyone.
“Wait!”
I stop right before I get to the door, but can’t bring myself to turn around. I don’t want to go to pieces in front of this beautiful stranger.
“Your jacket.” Drew holds out the torn and bloody remains of my coat. “It’s pretty much ruined though.”
“Thanks. Yeah, it is.” Pulling myself together, I glance at him and take my coat. Certainly, after that display he thinks I’m crazy.
Drew’s handsome face furrows with concern. “Is that all you have to wear? It’s freezing outside.”
I shrug. He saw what I came in here with.
“Wait here.” Drew holds up a finger to show he’ll be back in a minute. Fascinated, I watch him jog over to the ring as he grabs a shirt and tugs it over his head. I think about what a shame it is to cover up such perfection and manage a smile. He stuffs his feet into a pair of shoes, throws on a ratty old hat and hurries back over to the door.