Chapter 4

4

brOOKE

I 'm smiling from ear to ear as I get dressed and finger comb my hair, realizing that staying here at Jonah's beautiful house feels more like a vacation than the hotel.

Not just because I am being pampered beyond belief. This is the first time I've been able to stop and take a breath in ages. Well, not literally. Breathing deeply really hurts on one side.

And being around Jonah…there's no way to describe it. Carefully pulling on his sweatshirt, I inhale the whisper of his unique masculine scent still clinging to the cotton.

I've never understood what women meant when they said a man smelled good. To me, they either smell foul if they've been sweating, or like…nothing. Maybe it's a pheromone thing. Or it's because I am wildly attracted to Jonah. Not just his gorgeous face and strong, almost hulking body.

It's the way he speaks. The habit he has of looking around when he's thinking. His organized yet overflowing bookshelf. I mean, he made a dinner that didn't require utensils so I wouldn't have to use my left arm.

What guy is that thoughtful?

It's strange. I can't quite trust it, since I've never felt like this before. But is there any reason to get my hopes up anyway? I can't quite believe an older man like him could really think of someone like me in that way.

Out in the kitchen, the fragrance of rich coffee wakes me up just as much as the fresh air blowing in the open dining room window.

"Too cold?" Jonah already looks concerned.

"Not at all, I like it. It's brisk."

He smiles, waving for me to sit down at the table. "I always feel like a shot of sunlight and fresh oxygen is the best thing first thing in the morning."

"Don't forget coffee."

He laughs, setting a tall glass of water and the bottle of painkillers in front of me. "How is the pain this morning?"

I pat my side tentatively. "It definitely aches, but it feels…stable. Does that make sense? Like, I know it's not going to get any worse, and it will probably be a lot better tomorrow."

He nods, a slight smile across his sexy lips. "That's an extremely useful assessment. I wish all patients were that descriptive."

He tips one pill into my palm. "Just to take the edge off. I'd suggest one every six hours."

I smile as he serves me breakfast sandwiches that can once again be eaten one-handed. As we eat, I pepper him with questions about Old Hemlock Valley. It sounds like an incredibly charming small town, from his vivid, detailed answers.

Jonah adores his place on the mountain; that much is crystal clear. Somehow that balances out his slightly stoic demeanor for me, knowing that he dearly loves something.

My breath catches as his hand covers mine on the table. "I have to stop by the clinic for a couple of hours. I'm sorry. I hate the thought of leaving you alone."

"I'll be fine. I really appreciate you helping me."

"Did you have a reservation at the inn? I could drop by and close out your bill, so that you're not charged again." His eyes look even deeper green in the morning light. "That is, if you're okay staying with me a bit longer. You really shouldn't be driving for a while."

"No reservation. I called earlier and they said they had a room for one night. Until my epic fail falling into the water yesterday, I'd planned to drive to Pinesley next and stay at the little motel there. Apparently they have a quaint downtown square and an old church."

"You shouldn't be going to that town." Jonah scowls. "It's not safe for a gorgeous young lady on her own."

We both look down at the way our fingers have somehow entwined. It feels like neither of us wants to let go.

Wait. He just called me gorgeous. I'm not sure how I feel about him forbidding me to go too far away, but maybe it's his way of caring for me, and trying to keep me safe. In that case, it's sweet.

"Brooke, how old are you?" he barely breathes.

"Twenty-one. You?"

His jaw sets. "Thirty-three. Which is far too old for you, isn't it…"

That depends on what he's looking for. Since this has no chance of lasting, maybe it doesn't matter. My fingers squeeze his. "Not at all. I like that you're capable. A take charge kind of guy."

We both freeze, then our gazes gradually shift from our hands to each other's eyes, as we realize what we've just been saying.

"Brooke, you're my patient, and…"

"No, I'm not. I'm just a clumsy girl who was incredibly lucky that a nice guy saved her."

His other hand reaches out tentatively as his fingertips graze along my collarbone before meandering into the back of my hair. My breath stutters as he gently pulls my lips to his.

Oh my…

Wow.

I had no idea.

The featherlight kiss was certainly a test to see if I'm into it. Well, I am. I reach out with my right arm circling his shoulders. As soon as Jonah realizes I've given him the green light, our kiss deepens immediately.

Fire licks up my spine as I try to make sense of the feelings radiating off him. Hunger. Raw, unbridled lust.

Jonah wants me. Badly.

I feel chilled and overheated at the same time as a vortex of new sensations swirls through me. I've had a few kisses before, but this is nothing like that. This is a full body tingling, savage… claiming .

Jonah growls into my mouth, kissing me deeper, harder, as I can feel his barely restrained passion. He's been so reserved and careful up till now that seeing this wild side of him is thrilling. What other surprises could this man have in store for me?

Just as I'm starting to think about how close his bedroom is, and how it feels like my panties are becoming steamy, he reluctantly pulls away. His hands grasp mine as he meets my eyes. "I'm sorry. I need to get to the clinic."

"I get it."

"Sit on the couch and rest. If there's a knock at the door, don't get up, just call out, okay?"

"Sure." Maybe he's expecting deliveries. I bet his parcels don't get stolen from the porch way out here like they sometimes do in Mackton.

My tiny squeal brings a smile to his lips as he lifts me up and carries me to the couch. He arranges a blanket over me, places a pillow against my side to hold me in place, and sets water, coffee, and the bottle of painkillers in front of me.

Then he writes down two phone numbers on a notepad. "The top one is my cell. The bottom one's the clinic. There's a landline in the kitchen. Where are your car keys?"

"In the pocket of my jacket."

He finds them, then gathers a few things together before changing out of his snug t-shirt into a navy button down. My bottom lip sticks out. "Awww, no fair. Now your patients can't admire that chest."

Jonah's lips fall open a second, then he clamps his mouth shut. Have I made him flustered?

"Behave." His voice is deep and growly as he heads to the door. Then he comes back to kiss my forehead. "Seriously, please rest. Take another pill in two hours. Ice your ribs for ten minutes every hour or two. And please call if you need anything at all."

"I will. Thank you."

He pauses at the door. "Don't take this the wrong way, because obviously I'm truly sorry you're hurt, but… I really like having you here, Brooke."

I really like being here, too.

In a gorgeous mountain wilderness cabin.

With a sexy man who kisses me like he never wants me to leave.