Irritated, she pointed at the door. "Get out."
When he refused to do as she said, she pushed him through the door, then slammed it in his face.
"That was really rude, sis," he yelled from the hallway. "You actually hurt my tender little feelings." His voice sounded like a kid's.
"You have no feelings, Devereaux. That bus passed you by a long time ago."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Fine. Be that way. I have more important things to do anyway. I have a hangnail that needs my attention."
Aimee rolled her eyes again as she took the broth from the tray to Fang who had been remarkably quiet through their exchange.
"Is he always like that?"
She wished she could say otherwise, but she couldn't. "Basically yes."
Fang took the bowl from her and sipped it like a cup. "It's a wonder you haven't killed him."
"Isn't it, though?"
He paused as if he realized what he was doing. He gave her a sheepish look. "I'm supposed to use something to eat this, aren't I?"
That question touched her deeply. That he would be concerned about offending her after all he'd been through. It was unexpected and it warmed her. "Don't worry about it. I know you're starving."
Fang nodded. She was right about that. His stomach ached so badly that it was all he could do not to attack. He downed the soup quickly and then swapped her the bowl for the glass of water. "You know, I could really use a steak right about now."
"Your body isn't used to real food. Carson's been keeping you on IVs and we've hand-fed you liquids all this time. I don't want to make you sick by putting something solid in you until I talk to him."
Fang looked down and realized just how thin he was. "Damn. I'm half my size."
"Not quite, but it will take time to heal."
Still, he shuddered. He didn't like looking like this. Most of all, he didn't like this weak feeling. He was a fighter, not an invalid. "I need a bath."
"Can you stand?"
That question seriously offended him. "I'm not helpless."
"Oh, look!" Aimee exclaimed in an exaggerated falsetto. "Mr. Macho is back in all his glory. Hello, Mr. Macho, it's so not good to see you again. But you know, Mr. Macho, that you've been bedridden to the point that your legs aren't used to carrying your weight and you're not really human. So if you want to get up and fall, gods forbid I do anything to stop it. After all, I live for America's Funniest Home Videos. Should I fetch a camcorder now?"
He wanted to be angry at her. At the very least offended, and yet he found her strangely entertaining. "Shut up and help me get to a bathroom."
"Okay, but you might want to put some clothes on before Maman, Papa, or Dev has a stroke. On second thought, we want Dev to have one, but my luck it'll only be Maman or Papa who sees us and that wouldn't go well for either of us."
Smiling at her humor, he dressed himself in a pair of jeans and a shirt. And as he tried to stand he realized just how right she was. His limbs were like walking on damp noodles. But with her help, he was able to get to the bathroom and into the tub. He dissolved his clothes as Aimee turned on the water and adjusted the temperature.
"Should I ask about how at ease you are with me naked?"
She pulled a towel down and set it next to the tub. "I have many brothers."
"That you've seen naked?"
She dropped her hand into the water to test the temperature. "Bear naked many a day and more times than I've ever cared for. Plus I help Carson out in the clinic." She folded her arms on the edge of the tall, claw-foot tub and rested her chin on her hands. It was an adorable pose and made him wish he had the strength to pull her into the tub with him and ease the ache in his groin.
"If it eases your ego, you are a very attractive wolf." She handed him a washcloth and bar of soap, then placed a razor, shaving cream, and mirror on the floor within his reach. "However, I do need to leave before Maman or Papa happen to catch me alone with you. Neither of them would be happy and I went through too much to save your life to have them end it now."
Fang really didn't want to be alone again. He'd spent so much time that way these last few months, but he knew she was right. The last thing he wanted to do was get her into trouble.
"If you need me, call."