Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“OK.” Razor stood. “That’s our cue to leave before I have to explain to our boss how a senator’s son accidentally smashed his face and fell out of the plane on the way home.” He wasn’t joking. The only question was which one of us would follow through first. Looked like it would be a tight race.
The room Razor took us to wasn’t much. Just a small conference type room someone had furnished with a cot in addition to a desk. There wasn’t room for more than two large men or maybe three small women, so adding the cot to the room made it tight. On the desk was a basin of water and some washcloths. On the cot was a change of clothing for both of us and a couple of blankets and pillows. Other than these added luxuries, the whole plane was spartan. ‘Cause, you know, military cargo and troop transport. The Hilton, it was not.
“It’s not much, but we can wash the worst of the mud and grime off us, change clothes, and get a little rest. Got another five hours before we get home. I don’t know about you, but I’m beat.” I wanted her to understand I wasn’t leaving her here by herself, but didn’t want to be obnoxious about it. She might not want to admit it to anyone, including herself, but I know her well enough she needed me with her right now.
“Yeah.” She picked at her clothing. She was smeared in mud, but I thought I could help her get the worst of it off. The trick was to take charge and do what needed doing without seeming like I was taking charge. That was the quickest way to get Holly to completely withdraw and push me away, and there was no way I was letting that happen. She sighed and looked over her shoulder. “Thanks for coming after me, Jax. I owe you one.”
“I told you, Maddog. I’ll always come for you. No questions asked. I will always be there.” I tried to use the road name she and Blade had come up with to help her be strong for a little bit longer, but I knew she was done. She’d had all she could take.
Tears that had slowed now flowed freely again, but Holly still held on to her control. She was trying to fight me when she didn’t really want to.
She put a washcloth in the basin and left it there. Then she pulled off her tank and stepped out of her shorts. Her shoes and socks followed, and she stood facing away from me in nothing but her bra and panties.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d help me wash the grime off my back. I’m tired and sore and I can’t reach or see everywhere I need to get.”
“Well, that went much easier than I thought it would.” I gave her what I hope was an amused smile when I was more relieved than I was prepared to admit she needed my help.
“I can’t very well have the road name Maddog if I’m too big a pussy to admit to someone I trust I need help when I do, now can I?”
I chuckled softly before leaning in and kissing her temple. The more I gave her little kisses like that, the more I had my lips on her skin in even the most platonic of kisses, the more I wanted to taste her lips, to slip my tongue into her mouth and taste her until she was whimpering with need in my arms. Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time. Didn’t mean I wasn’t going to have the pleasure of holding her. I was going to wrap her up in my arms while she slept and keep the nightmares at bay. Because I knew from experience, the second she closed her eyes the nightmares would definitely come.
“Nope. If you’re gonna have a name like Maddog, you have a certain reputation to maintain. I’m proud of you for livin’ up to your name, baby.”
That got a genuine snort of laughter from her. Then she chuckled. It didn’t last long, though. As I started washing her back, her chuckles turned to quiet sobs. I got the worst of the dirt and mud, then helped her put on the T-shirt Razor left for her. I reached under the shirt and unfastened her bra and helped her thread her arms through the straps and her sleeves. Holly didn’t protest once.
I almost helped her into the soft cotton pants without having her remove her underwear, but I knew she had to be uncomfortable. They hadn’t exactly been wallowing in mud, but it looked like she’d landed in a puddle at some point. So, without saying anything or making a big deal out of it, I faced her away from me and pulled her panties over her hips and let them pool at her feet. I used the cloth to wash her hip where she was starting to bruise. She must have landed on that side because she had dried mud from there to the top of her thigh. She winced once but didn’t move or say anything. She didn’t balk at my care of her, or the fact that I’d just removed her underwear without her permission.