She burst out laughing. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Do you think I’m a complete moron? That is suchbullshit.”
Before she could protest again, he grabbed her arm, pulled it up and lashed his tongue along the length ofthecut.
She shrieked and yanked her arm back. “Whatthehell?”
He waited a few seconds. The expression on her face melted from one of insulted rage towonder.
“How did you do that?” sheasked.
“Some shifters have gifts. Do youhaveone?”
“No.” She cocked her head to one side. “Do your brothers have specialgiftstoo?”
“Not that I know of.” He picked up the needle and surgical thread. “Maybe you’d be more comfortable if you werelyingdown.”
Her gaze dropped to the needle before returning to his face. Her normally peach complexion turned whiter than snow. Yeah, she needed toliedown.
“Come on,” he said as he led her to thebedroom.
After she lay down on the bed, he grabbed a towel from the bathroom and laid it underherarm.
“What have you been up to since you left?” he asked in an effort todistracther.
“Not much. I got my design degree…” As he pierced the skin for the first time, her voice clicked up an octave. “…and I’ve just beenworking.”
“I’m guessing you’re notmarried.”
“Why would you say that?” she askeddefensively.
“No wedding ring. You’ve also never mentioned needing to call yourhusband.”
“Oh, right. No. Nevermarried.”
“Why not?” heasked.
“Shouldn’t you be concentrating? I’m not a pin cushionyouknow.”
“I’mconcentrating.”
“On what, my arm or mylovelife?”
“I can multitask.” His flippant answer drew a huff. “Anyhobbies?”
“No.”
He stopped trying to talk to her. She clearly wasn’t in the mood. He didn’t really blame her. Even though she was lying down, sweat dotted her brow. Her arm didn’t move, but her belly quivered every time he tugged to tighten astitch.
After carefully sealing the wound, he set the surgical instruments on the nightstand. She gazed up at him with an imperceptible expression. What he wouldn’t give to know what she was thinking in thatmoment.
Outside, the wind’s skeletal fingers tore at the shingles on the roof. He noted a sudden drop in temperature which coincided with the first fewsnowflakes.
“Is your heater on?” heasked.
“It is, but it’s not workingverywell.”
“Do you want me to startafire?”
She shook her head. “I just needtorest.”
