illuminated by the sun streaming through the opening in the ceiling, he had his arms out by his sides and his face angled toward it.
Even after weeks of imprisonment, his skin wasn’t pale, but had a light olive tone to it. His short hair and trimmed beard gave her a better sense of his features. His jawline was square, his lips not quite full but not thin. His nose was slender with a bump in the center. It had been broken at some point. Whether in the far past or recently, she had no idea.
His ribs showed on his large frame, but he was still a big man. And where she’d only seen him from behind before, this time she had a front-row seat to him in all his glory. She swallowed heavily as she continued her journey downward.
His chest was hairless, not hiding the slight rippling of his abs. It also revealed the bruising and scarring from his imprisonment.
Her gaze went lower to the thatch of curly hair. Even lying softly against him, his cock was large. As she watched, it stirred and began to grow, igniting a fluttering deep in her core.
“You done staring?” He turned her earlier words back on her.
“Just checking for injuries.” No way would she give him the satisfaction of thinking she was admiring his manly form. Fortunately, her dark skin hid the blush creeping up her cheeks.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “I’m sure.” He lowered his arms and reached for the clothes. It was almost a shame for him to pull on the rough pants and button them. Although with his bare chest and feet, he still managed to look pretty hot. He reached for the shirt.
“Wait.” Hurrying forward, she retrieved the jar of salve from the medipack. “Might as well use this before you finish getting dressed.” She held it out to him.
His golden eyes softened. “Would you do my back?”
There was no way he could reach the bruises there. And any kind of contortion to try would only hurt him. She swallowed heavily. “I can do that.” Her voice was husky. She cleared her throat. “Hold the jar.” After opening it, she placed it in his palm before scooping out a glob of the white salve.
Stepping behind him, she put her hand on his back and began to work the medicated ointment into his skin. There were bruises in various stages of healing. Some old, some very new.
When he groaned, she stilled. “Does it hurt?” She bit her bottom lip but didn’t stop. He needed it to heal.
“Feels good.”
Beneath her hands, his muscles bunched and flexed as she worked her way from shoulder to waist, pausing only to load up on more salve. His skin was warm from the hot springs. Or maybe it was a fever.
She went back to the medipack and took out a packet. Ripping it open, she offered him the two pills. “It will help with fever and infection.”
He took both and tossed them into his mouth, swallowing them dry.
She should stop now. He could finish the rest on his own. But again and again, she dipped back into the jar and rubbed the ointment on his arms and chest, paying extra attention to his ribs. He shuddered several times, his entire body shaking. Chill bumps ran across his skin. He never told her to stop, so she didn’t.
The scent was pleasant, almost floral. She had no idea what was in it, only that it worked extremely well. It mixed with the scent of soap and clean male to create a delectable perfume that made her mouth water.
Down girl. Not the time or place.
She lingered as long as she dared, her hands gliding across the broad expanse of his chest, down his hard abs and back up again. Her breathing increased. So did his. Heat poured off his body in waves. Sweat trickled down her forehead.
“Thank you.” His voice was deep and hoarse.
“Ah, no problem.” She went to step back but noticed the scar on his face. “Just one more spot.” She dabbed the ointment on and rubbed. His big hand covered hers, trapping it against his face.
“Thank you,” he repeated. His head lowered, his gaze never leaving hers. His lashes were dark and thick. Most women would kill for them. Instead of detracting from his masculinity, it only highlighted it. His nostrils flared.
He was going to kiss her.
What was she doing? Snapping out of the sensual snare, she jumped back and grabbed the jar