Part 7 (1/2)

”I'm fine,” she said hurriedly.

He narrowed his gaze and nodded. ”I'll let you try but if you can't manage on your own...”

Her face now scarlet, and shaking wildly in denial of what he hadn't said, she waited until he walked to the doorway and pulled the door partly closed. Without too much effort, she managed to shuffle her cotton panties down over her cheeks so she could relieve herself. She even managed to finish the job and get the panties back up. But the sink looked too d.a.m.n far away to wash her hands. She was going to have to stand up.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly lowered her feet to the floor and using the toilet for support she pushed herself upright. And gasped. Choking back the other sounds threatening to rush out of her mouth, she swayed in place for a long moment while she adjusted to the pain and weird feeling of walking on flesh that felt twice the size it should be. But she could stand. And given the options, she'd take it. And if she could stand, she could walk.

She took one careful step and then another. With her legs braced against the cupboard and her elbows braced on the counter, she could wash her hands. Splas.h.i.+ng water on her face, she felt much better. Turning, she looked into Mason's face now standing in the open doorway frowning at her.

”I know,” she said gently. ”You'd have helped me. But I needed to see how bad they were.”

The frown eased slightly. ”I can understand that. But now back to bed.”

She nodded and this time, knowing what she could do and couldn't, she reached out her arms. He was there in a single stride and swung her up against his chest. Back in the bedroom, he laid her down again.

”When am I being picked up?” she asked, pulling the blankets over her chest. A chill was settling in after just that little bit of movement. It didn't say much for the day ahead. Not many men would be happy to carry her around. And while he saw her as a job and would do what was required, that didn't mean the next group would. An idea struck. She glanced over at him, ”Do you think...” she frowned now rethinking.

”What?”

She winced. ”I was just wondering if a wheelchair would be possible once I'm taken out of here.”

”As you'll be going to a hospital first to be checked over, then I would think that would be an obvious answer for a day or two. But more likely you'll be confined to bed.”

”d.a.m.n,” she pleated the cotton sheet at her neck.

”What, you don't like lying in bed?”

”Not alone.” Her unexpected answer brought a light of interest to his eyes and hot color to her cheeks again.

”That sounds interesting.”

She shook her head. ”There's nothing interesting about me.”

Silence.

”Really?” But the note of incredulity had her frowning up at him.

”Yeah, really.”

His gaze searched hers. ”Then you need to take another look in the mirror.”

She snorted. ”I just did, remember.”

His grin was huge. ”Yeah, you're looking pretty beat up right now.”

She rolled her eyes at him, her hand instantly going to the side of her head that stung from the slivers.

”How come I'm the one that is all beat up and you guys are fine,” she complained, but in a light tone.

Swede chose that moment to walk into the bedroom.

He carried a huge mug.

She stared at it hopefully. ”Is that coffee?”

He nodded.

But he stayed just out of reach.

”Could I have a cup, please?”

He rolled his eyes and stepped to her side and handed her the mug. ”Man, you're not even fun to tease right now. It's like beating up a b.u.t.terfly.”

She stopped in the middle of lifting his cup to her lips. A b.u.t.terfly? She smiled. It could be worse.

MASON MOTIONED SWEDE to the hallway.

”A b.u.t.terfly?” he asked in low tones. ”Really?”

”Yeah.” Swede grinned. ”She's lovely. And you'll appreciate her more if you have to work for it. Besides, she can't make a choice if she doesn't know she has one.”

”Not you, too?” Mason groaned.

”Absolutely. We can recognize special, even if you can't,” he said as he walked down the hallway.

”Who says I can't?” Mason snapped.

At his friend's rolling laughter, he realized he'd been had.

d.a.m.n. Leaning against the doorjamb he could recognize special just fine. Especially this kind of special. The trick was what was he going to do about it? Nothing. For the same d.a.m.n reason he'd not gone to see her while Harry was alive or dead. And now that Harry was gone, she deserved to have a husband who was whole and home every day. The SEALs were his life. He'd made that decision a long time ago. It was better for everyone that way.

He turned away and came face to face with Hawk.

”I could have killed you just now. You're so preoccupied with your personal life.” He snickered and motioned toward Tesla in bed. ”And if you can't see how much of a difference she'd make in your life, you're a fool.” And he sauntered inside the room. ”Hey, pretty lady. It's my turn to be your guard.”

”Do I still need a guard?” Tesla asked. ”I thought we were out of danger.”

”Until you are safe and sound and back home and these guys caught and dealt with, you aren't out of danger. And let me rephrase. Mason needs a nap.”

”Oh dear. I never thought of that. Poor Mason.”

Mason rolled his eyes at Hawk's blatant lie and stormed off.

They were all making him crazy.

Chapter 10.