When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,36
at the cascading waves, inhaling the intoxicating smells, and the next minute his fingers were entwined in the soft strands of hair, and his hand guided her face to his.
Their lips touched. He kissed her, and she was kissing him back, her mouth opening as he drew her closer. She pulled away, her cheeks as crimson as her hair. She shook her head, but the heat of passion in her eyes told him another story.
“I’m sorry, Molly. I guess I got used to the taste of your lips.”
“You’re home now. We don’t have to pretend anymore.”
“But what do I tell my body?”
“What?”
“What do I tell my body when it yearns to feel the touch of your lips again?”
He turned, and the sudden movement caused pain to shoot down his leg. A groan came unbidden from his lips.
“You need something for pain. I’ll get it now, then give you your antibiotic.”
He smiled weakly. “Please.” The pain medication worked quickly, and he relaxed into the sheets. He was whispering her name as sleep overtook him.
Pearce’s fist hit the mattress. “Molly, I want to get out of this damn bed.”
“Can you wait till the antibiotic finishes? It will just be a few minutes.”
“I’m so tired of being confined. I want to get up, get active again!”
“I’ll get the wheelchair ready, and your shaving gear. By that time, the antibiotic will be done.”
“Sorry. I’m not used to immobility.”
“No, I can see that.” Molly grinned at him.
She brought the wheelchair close to the bed, transferred him to it, and wheeled him to the bathroom where his shaving supplies were set out. By the time he was done, the last drops of the antibiotic were draining out of the intravenous bag. Molly disconnected the medication tubing.
The soft material of her blouse shifted seductively as she bent to re-tape the lock. It brushed against his forearm sending shivers of arousal up his arm. As if a flame had torched his dormant emotions, desire like a forest fire out of control blazed through his body. His heart raced and he could feel the testosterone sparking out of every cell. He reached out, but she had already slipped away.
He jerked his hand back. What was she doing to him? Damn these feelings. And what was wrong with him? He needed to get well, not fall for some woman. When he spoke, his voice was gruffer than he intended.
“I want to try the crutches.”
He saw her startle at his tone, but she said nothing, only raising her eyebrows as she replied, “Are you sure you’re ready.”
“I need to get moving. Doctor Graham said I could start walking on crutches soon. I want to do it now.”
“I’ll get you in the wheelchair. Then we can walk in the hallway.”
“No. I’m tired of that damned thing. I want to walk now.”
“Do you think you’re up to it?”
He grinned sheepishly. “No time like the present to find out. I’d like to surprise Gracie.”
Molly grabbed the pair of crutches leaning against the wall. Pearce rotated the wheelchair and took one crutch from her. Molly leaned over him, sliding an arm around him. The scent of her cologne made his senses reel, and he had to balance himself as she assisted him to a standing position. His head towered above hers.
Holding onto the crutch on one side and Molly on the other, Pearce took slow, testing steps. They were as far as the sliding patio door when he winced in pain. He felt the muscles of his face tightening, as if the pain sucked in the hollows of his cheeks. Even in the meager reflection of the glass door, he could see his sudden paleness, and he white-knuckled the crutch. He felt her arm tightening around him.
“Should we stop for a bit?” Molly asked.
“Sounds like a good idea.” His voice sounded labored, and his chest heaved with each breath. From the concerned look on Molly’s face, Pearce knew she was feeling his pain, and he knew she didn’t want to push him. He tried to ignore the discomfort, but he needed exercise to regain muscle tone he’d lost since the accident.
“Do you want something for the pain?” Molly asked.
“No!”
His voice was short, and sharp as a dagger. He saw her face tighten, and his voice softened. He leaned on one crutch and reached a hand to cover hers.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be doped up on painkillers any more.”
“I know. But you still need them. You don’t want to be in so much