Helpless (Steel Demons MC #5) - Crystal Ash Page 0,80

with only a dim lamp on the bedside table providing light. I was warm. Hot, even. Almost too warm, until I realized where I was. The pillow under my head had been replaced by Shadow’s chest.

Somehow I migrated across the king-sized bed in my sleep, and found myself nestled into his side. His arm draped over my back, hand settled in the dip of my waist. His sleeping face was calm, his breaths deep with the steady rise and fall of his chest. I had abandoned my blanket and the sheets were a twisted mess at the foot of the bed, likely kicked away in his thrashing.

I lifted my cheek from his warm skin to just marvel at the long stretches of scars and muscles on him. Sure, I’d touched him, seen him before, but not like this. He was like a map of an unknown continent I couldn’t help but want to explore.

Not wanting to startle him, I skimmed a light touch with my fingertips to his waist. Deeply asleep, he didn’t respond. I slid my hand with a slow drag across his stomach, his abs flexing with each breath. His skin was surprisingly soft, the scars little more than light texture on my palms. My hand inched up the solid planes of muscle to his chest, coming to rest over the Steel Demons tattoo a few inches away from my face.

His heartbeat was still too fast for my liking, but his fever didn’t feel any higher. And at least he was resting.

“Hey, Mariposita.”

The voice coming from the armchair in the dark corner of the room made me jump. I instinctively searched for my knife before my brain caught up.

“Jandro!”

I crawled to the bottom of the bed and ran around Shadow to attack-hug my man, who’d been watching silently.

“Fuck, babe.” He squeezed me tightly to his chest, face buried in my neck as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Fuck, I missed you.”

“When did you get in?” I pulled back just enough to smack a kiss on those plush lips I missed so much. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“A couple hours ago.” He held the back of my neck to kiss me deeper. “And you looked comfortable,” he chuckled against my lips.

Our kisses were full of relief and longing. Every sip and tongue flick was passionate and savoring, dragging out the moments we didn’t get to have over the past few days.

“How is he?” Jandro dragged the question with a kiss along my temple, loosening his hold on me, but never letting go.

I rested my head on his shoulder, my gaze returning to Shadow. “Better, but still not great. Did you get everything?”

“Yeah, it’s all there.” He nodded toward a duffle bag on the floor against the wall. I waited for him to make a comment about me cuddling up to Shadow, but it never came.

“Thank you, guapito.” I hugged around his waist and pressed a grateful kiss under his jaw. “Where did Grudge go?”

“He’s next door, resting up with T-Bone.”

“I’ll leave him be for now, then. But I’ll need him for this blood transfusion.” I untangled from Jandro and went to dig through the bag.

“Transfusion?”

“Shadow needs non-infected blood and Grudge is a perfect match,” I explained. “They’re probably brothers. Or biologically related somehow.”

“Huh.” Jandro rubbed his chin. “Never noticed it before, but you’re right.”

“Help me with this IV? And I should drain him again.”

Together, Jandro and I set up the IV drip along the headboard. Shadow woke groggily when I stuck the needle in the back of his hand.

“Hey man, welcome back,” Jandro grinned at him. “Heard you took a hit and couldn’t believe it. Had to see for myself.”

“Jan…dro?” Shadow blinked several times.

“He’s really here,” I assured him with a hand to his arm. “Rode all day to help me take care of you.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Jandro joked, then playfully thumped Shadow’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you, bro. I’m glad you’re okay.” He leaned over and kissed my neck. “That you’re both okay.”

“What’s this?” Shadow turned over his hand with the IV needle attached.

“It’s giving you nutrients,” I said. “At least until you can keep food down, okay?”

He nodded. I noted that he didn’t seem to be triggered by needles, only blades.

“I’m not sure if you were awake for this, but it turns out Grudge matches your blood type,” I said. “So if it’s okay with you, I’ll take another pint of blood or so from you, then Grudge can donate his blood