woman. You cut me.”
“I cut you? You self-centered asshole. You give the best kisses and then back off and cry over a tiny little cut. You’re the one who has been cutting me, not the other way around.”
“I give the best kisses?”
“Damn it, you know what I mean.” Gya’s rant was unbelievably sexy to him for some reason. “You come to Houston, looking all studly sexy, acting like a complete jerk. Then I catch you looking at me, and I know there’s something going on in that thick head of yours. Hell, I even thought we might be good together. Then you pushed me away. Made yourself scarce every chance you could. When you walked in on me and Kyle, I was sure you hated me.”
“Hated you?”
“Yes, hated me. Talk about mixed signals. And then you kiss me. You blow my mind, Mr. Strait. Tell me the truth. What is it about me that turns you off? What makes you want to run whenever I’m in the room?”
He hated seeing her eyes well up. “Gya, you don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t.” She took a deep breath. “Aaron, what’s wrong with me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Gya. Absolutely nothing. You’re perfect in every way. You’re beautiful and smart. You’re talented and charming. You have a kind heart and generous nature. I don’t hate you. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Yes, I stole glances at you when I thought you weren’t looking. You’re the most amazing creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Then why are you pushing me away so hard?”
“You want to know what’s wrong?” He placed his hands on her delicate shoulders. “It’s me. That’s what’s wrong. I’m wrong for you.”
She reached up and touched his face. “Why? Please tell me why.”
“Because I have cancer.”
“Cancer? Okay.” She closed her eyes, certainly considering the gravity of what he’d told her. But when she opened them, what she said surprised him. Her words weren’t of pity or sadness. They were of action and to the point, something that spoke to him on a very deep level. “That’s very difficult to come to grips with, but don’t think for one minute that’s going to stop me. I would rather have just one day with you than no days at all. Now, let me take care of that foot of yours. Where do you keep your first aid meds?”
“Underneath the bathroom sink.” He’d never met anyone so brave and strong as she was.
“Listen to me, Aaron Strait. You don’t move a muscle until I get back.” She trotted off to the bathroom.
He started laughing. And you call yourself a Dom. I just was bested by a curvy little spitfire.
She came back with peroxide, bandages, cloths, and more.
“Singer and nurse? I had no idea.”
“There’s a lot more to me than you know, Aaron. Be careful and sit your stubborn ass in this chair.” She pointed to the same one he’d placed her in just moments ago.
The tables have definitely been turned.
She walked to the sink and filled a bowl with warm water. He watched her every move, unable to look away now.
She knelt down in front of him and placed the bowl at his feet. She lifted the cut foot and placed it in the warm water. Her washing his wound felt soothing.
“It’s a tiny sliver. I think I can get it with these tweezers.”
“Knock yourself out, doc.”
She looked up at him and grinned. “Who knew you could be so funny?”
“There’s a lot more to me than you know either, Gya.”
In a flash, she had the glass out, the wound cleaned, and his foot bandaged.
“Good as new, but I wouldn’t put too much pressure on it.” She stood and sat down in the chair next to his. “You don’t want to make it bleed again.”
“You’re the one with the medical degree, not me.”
She laughed. “Funny man.”
“Gya, I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass. You didn’t deserve any of my shit.”
She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly. “Now we’re even.”
“God, you’re something else. I haven’t felt this good in a long
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