Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Shouldn’t have picked him up then,” she muttered to herself. “Any man lying half in and half out of a partially frozen river, naked, is bound to disrupt some aspect of my life.” She shrugged. “Not that I had experienced this before so not sure how much of a disruption is expected, but if those men are any indication, it’s going to get rocky before it gets any better.”
The other dogs entered the kitchen and Argo looked over his pack before swiping his tongue along the back of her hand, then he departed.
Once the frozen dinner had been placed in the oven, she went back to her computer and answered some emails. They’d piled up from her trip. So, she spent the time catching up on business.
When Argo trotted back up to her, she rose and followed him, well aware of his actions and being able to read him. It wasn’t that he was upset, he just wanted her to come with. So she listened. It had taken her a long time to learn and accept to trust her dogs at this level.
He guided her to the door she’d placed her naked visitor in. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Naked.
There is a serious problem with me that I can’t think of anything else about him aside that he was naked and hella hot, even submerged as he’d been in the water.
He lay in bed still, covered by the quilt and she frowned. There wasn’t any reason for Argo to have come get her, unless…
She hurried over to his side and felt his skin. Clammy. Damn it. I didn’t think he’d get sick, although that was really stupid of me to assume he’d remain healthy after what he’d been subjected to.
“Hang in there man, I’ll be right back.” She left the room and got the supplies she needed to help combat his fever. Stopping in the kitchen, she checked on the time before her meal was ready, then returned to his side.
Stopping to eat, she stayed with him in the room as he went through the throes of his fever. Over the next week she nursed him through, stopping to take care of her dogs and answer some work emails, questions. Thankfully she didn’t have any dogs here yet for her next training session. She’d downsized a bit, wanting to be able to do more with her own animals.
The morning his fever broke, she thanked God and rubbed her eyes with the backs of her hands. Shit, I’m beat. He had tossed and turned as she’d tried to keep the sweat from his body. Strong, despite the sickness, she’d had to strain to restrain him more than once.
Hand on the back of her neck, she got to her feet and looked at Hope. “Keep an eye on him for me, will you? I’m off to bring in some more wood then take a long hot shower.”
Hope wagged her tail and hopped up on the bed, circled twice then lay down beside him.
“Good girl. I’ll be back in a bit.” Scooping up the tray that had held the soup, spoon, and drink, she headed for the front door, dropping the dirty dishes off on the countertop.
She couldn’t stop the yawning and wanted nothing more than her bed after bringing in five trips of wood and putting more on the fire. With a final peek into the guest room, she began stripping as she headed for her room.
Moments later, she stood in her shower and groaned in relief as the hot water pelleted her skin. Hands on the shower wall, she just stood there for a few tics of time. Eventually she began washing. Tired, relaxed, and dry, Leena walked back to the guest room in her flannel pants and jersey shirt to look in on him and make sure all was okay with him still.
Hope jumped down and trotted by her. She reached out to touch his face, pleased there was still no sign of the fever. Bending down to tuck the blanket around him more, she squeaked when he wrapped a strong hand around her wrist and tugged her down beside him.
She struggled against him, but he anchored her close. He buried his nose in her hair and grunted. Another struggle, albeit feeble this time, and Leena relaxed into him. His hard body, and strong arms around her too much for her exhausted self to fight.
When she woke, it was dark out. She was surrounded by heat and didn’t want to move. A man’s hands were underneath her shirt, spanning her waist. Callused skin teased hers. She bit back a whimper as she sorted out whose touch was creating such havoc in her system.
She jerked her lids open and found her sexy stranger lying there, staring at her, those grey eyes darker even then the first time she’d seen them. Her gut clenched with pure, raw craving.