Chapter 10

“God, look at these scars,” Alexa murmured that afternoon, lifting her top slightly and lowering the waistband of her joggers to inspect her lower abdomen. She stared at the angry, puckered red marks against her skin as she stood in Austin’s bedroom. The duffle bag Callie had dropped off at the hospital was sitting on his dresser like it belonged there. Alexa already had a drawerful of things at his place—a few clothes, plus some skimpy thongs and sexy nighties that Austin loved, along with her camisoles and sleep shorts. She’d always enjoyed teasing him with some fun lingerie in the evenings but wouldn’t be wearing any of that for a while. Granny panties and comfy pajamas would have to do. Plus, the hospital doctor had warned her that she’d probably start what was akin to her period this week as her pregnancy hormones dropped. Ugh. Not that Austin seemed to care what she was wearing. That searing kiss at the hospital had practically made her knees weak. Thankfully she’d already been reclining in the hospital bed.

“It’s going to hurt for weeks to bend over,” she lamented. “I’ll have to wear sandals all the time since I’ll hardly be able to tie my running shoes.”

“That’s why you’re staying here with me,” Austin pointed out. “And while walking a little is good for your recovery, running won’t be an option for a while.”

“True, but look at where the scar lines are—super low. It’s going to hurt to wear a bikini until these heal, and we live in Hawaii,” she moaned. “What am I supposed to wear now?”

“Maybe we should just go to a nude beach,” he joked.

“Ha ha.”

He stalked toward her, smiling, and rested his big hands on her hips as she released her shirt and waistband, letting them again cover her scars. Alexa felt her heart flutter at his closeness, her body immediately alighting at his touch. “Like I’d let anyone else see you naked. This is all mine,” he teased.

“Touche,” she said, patting his solid chest. Despite the tee shirt he had on, she could easily feel the firm muscles beneath. “I don’t want another woman trying to steal you away. You’re hot enough shirtless,” she said with a wink, and Austin’s smile widened. “I can’t let the ladies see the rest of the goods.”

“None of them would have a shot,” he promised. “I’ve only got eyes for you.” Austin’s thumbs moved in gentle circles at her hips, over the material of her lightweight joggers. He edged them down just a hint, touching her bare skin, and Alexa felt a shiver racing down her spine. He was so much bigger than her but always so damn careful. Even now, her body yearned for him. Alexa let out a soft sigh, looking up into his eyes. “Are you sore?” he asked.

“A little, and I probably should rest, but I’d kill for a shower first.”

“I’ll start the water,” he said, dropping his hands. “The bag of stuff Callie packed should tide you over for a couple of days, but I can swing by your place and get whatever else you need. You can come along too if you’re up for it, just let me do all the heavy lifting.”

“All right. We can worry about that tomorrow. Oh—you’ve got work then,” she remembered, frowning. “Maybe tomorrow night?”

“I requested a day off,” Austin told her. “You might be unsteady on your feet for a bit while you recover and are on those stronger pain meds. I want to make sure you’re okay before I go in to work. Wyatt knows what’s up, but I also spoke with my CO. I can take more time off, if necessary, but I figured I’d need at least a day to get you settled in.”

“Geez, I feel bad you’re taking off just for this,” Alexa protested. “I’ll be okay alone.”

“And I’m okay with helping you—starting with that shower you wanted.”

“Austin.”

“Alexa,” he countered. “I want to help you. We can shower without having sex,” he joked. “I’ll just help you get undressed or whatever you need.”

“I can’t even bend over to shave my legs,” she said, suddenly frowning.

“Again, the reason you’re here. I don’t mind my hands all over your naked, wet body,” he added with a wink.

She playfully swatted at him. “You’re such a tease.”

“Just trying to make you feel better.”

“I know,” she said, and Austin held out his arm to help her walk to the bathroom with him. She gripped his muscled forearm with both hands, noticing how slowly he was moving. For a guy who usually rushed into the action and led an adrenaline-fueled life, she was thankful he could be sweet and gentle with her. She’d stayed over at his place enough that her shampoo, conditioner, and floral body wash were already in his shower. Even her silky robe was hanging on the back of his door. It felt like this new situation was somewhat of a test of their relationship. They couldn’t exactly be going on weekend adventures all over Oahu while she recovered. And while she realized that Austin cared about her, they hadn’t exactly discussed their future. Things were supposed to be flirty and fun between them, and this just felt like…more. So much more. Austin seemed to be handling the transition like it was a given they’d progress to a different stage of their relationship. Then again, he wasn’t the one feeling helpless or in any pain. Alexa wasn’t used to being this vulnerable.

Alexa reached to grab a towel, stilling with the movement.

“You okay?” he asked, noticing her wince.

“Yep. Just need to remember to move slowly.” The crease lines of worry etched across his face eased, and Austin reached to turn on the shower, his gaze barely leaving hers as he watched to make sure she was okay. Alexa lifted her shirt off, setting it on the counter, then cringed as it immediately slid to the ground.

“I got it,” he said, swiping it up off the floor with one big hand. Rather that straightening, Austin crouched in front of her, his hands moving to her waistband. “I’ll help you get undressed,” he said, his voice low and husky.

She tensed but nodded, realizing it would be easier with his help. Maybe in a couple of days she’d feel stronger, but right now, her lower abdomen was still extremely tender, and she’d be crazy to insist on doing it all herself. Bending over to push down her pants wouldn’t be comfortable at all.

Alexa carefully undid her bra as Austin knelt before her, her breath catching. Her nipples pebbled as the air washed over them, and she felt arousal coil in her belly despite all that had happened. His gaze caught on her bare breasts for a moment, but he was all business. Austin’s big hands slid beneath the elastic waistband of her joggers, easing them down. Alexa had on some embarrassing granny panties thanks to her surgery, but he didn’t seem fazed in the least, simply helping her to step out of those as well. Alexa stared down at her hot pink toenails, shocked to see that Austin hadn’t moved. It felt intimate standing like this, naked in his bathroom. Her breasts felt heavy and full, and the steam from the shower was beginning to fog up the mirror.

Austin had seen all of her body up close before, and they’d had sex in the shower many deliciously wonderful times, but this was different. Intimate. His hands landed at her waist, and he leaned closer, kissing her stomach gently, well above her scar.

Alexa sharply inhaled, her belly clenching, shocked by his tenderness. Austin hovered there a moment, his lips brushing against her sensitive skin. “I was worried about you,” he murmured quietly. He hesitated a beat and then stood. Alexa looked at him, her eyes watering.

“Shit. Did I hurt you?” he asked, hastily setting her clothes on the bathroom counter and caressing her bare arms with his hands.

“No,” she assured him, shaking her head. “I’m just…not totally myself.”

“You’re on meds and in pain,” Austin said, shucking off his own shirt. “Plus, the doctor said something about hormones. It’ll be a while before you’re back to one hundred percent. Let’s shower and then you can rest. I’ll go pick up some more groceries and stuff that you like. We’re almost out of that girly diet soda you love,” he teased, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

“You probably guzzle it when I’m not around.”

Austin’s smile stretched across his face. “Nope. That’s all for you, baby girl.”

Warmth bloomed within her. She laughed but then winced as even that made her ache. “I have to be careful.” Her hands went to her incision, hovering above her red skin.

“We’ll be careful,” he promised. “And I’ll try not to make you laugh. It’s good they did internal stitches. Now you don’t have to worry about going back and getting them removed.” She looked at him quizzically. “We’re all trained to handle emergencies in the field,” he explained. “Can’t say I’ve ever needed to stitch a guy up before, but I could if I had to.”

“Geez,” she said with a small shudder. “I can’t imagine having that skill.”

“It’s best to be prepared,” he said, sounding way too nonchalant. Alexa knew he was trying not to frighten her, but it wasn’t working. Austin had a dangerous career. Just because she’d met him at a bar in sunny Hawaii didn’t mean that’s where he remained. Austin and his SEAL teammates deployed around the world, dealing with situations she could hardly imagine. It was the stuff of nightmares. Feeling wistful, she watched as he finished undressing, balling up his dirty clothes. Austin hadn’t even changed from yesterday. He’d made sure Callie brought clothes for Alexa but hadn’t given a thought to himself.

A weird feeling wound its way through her. It was almost like when she hadn’t been paying attention, she’d fallen completely head over heels.

Austin helped her step into the shower stall after he’d tested the water. Although his eyes raked over her body, they didn’t linger. Austin was all business once again as he told her to stand under the spray. When she grabbed her shampoo, he took it away, saying he’d wash her hair.

“Bossy,” she joked.

“You love when I wash your hair, Lex.”

“Mmmm, I do,” she agreed, finally closing her eyes and relaxing against him as he massaged her scalp.

“I wish you weren’t in pain,” he said quietly.

Alexa shifted, feeling his erection pressing against her back. Austin had joked more than once that he was always eager and ready for her. Normally, she’d be right there with him. “Just relax, Lex,” he said, clearly reading her thoughts. “Let me take care of you.”

Austin carefully rinsed out her hair, holding her under the shower spray. Alexa wasn’t normally a crier but felt more emotional than ever since she’d woken up after her surgery. She almost teared up but held herself together. He grabbed her conditioner next, already familiar with her routine. Before she knew it, Austin was soaping up the washcloth and running it over her skin. He avoided the area of her incision but had no such qualms about touching every other part of her body. His big hands were on her breasts, between her thighs, moving over the curve of her bottom.

“You’re so damn gorgeous,” he said, lightly kissing the top of her head.

Alexa looked at him, watching the water trail down over his muscles. His cock was still semi-hard, bobbing between them, but Austin ignored it. He quickly soaped himself up and rinsed off, and then he was wrapping her up in big towel. She was already beginning to yawn, the pain killers she’d taken after arriving at Austin’s place beginning to kick in. Austin helped her into one of his big tee shirts, and then was guiding her to his bed. She barely remembered him tucking her in, but as his lingering scent on his sheets filled her nostrils, she relaxed and slept.