Page 56 of Close to Heaven

“I’ll carry it.”

She knew he was strong, but she was no “skinny Minnie.” Still, he hoisted her up with ease, and she tightened her legs around his waist. Then he picked up her backpack and slung it over one arm.

“Hold on tight.”

She didn’t have much of a choice since he was easily six feet tall and, if she let go, she’d have a long fall.

“What were you doing out here all alone?” he asked as he took off toward his cabin.

“Hiking,” she said defensively. “You hike alone all the time.”

“Yeah, but I know these trails like the back of my hand.”

“My foot came down the wrong way, that’s all.” While I was fantasizing about making love to you.

“I thought you were going to the bar with Cody.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Next time you decide to go hiking at night, ask someone to go with you.”

His tone irked her. “I would have asked you, but since you haven’t been speaking to me…”

He sighed. “We’re almost home. Let’s wait and talk when we get there.”

“Fine.” The man was weighed down with her and her backpack. Admittedly, it wasn’t the ideal time to have a serious conversation.

They were quiet for the rest of the way. Once they were inside his cabin, he squatted down until she was level with the couch, and she let go. Smoky immediately trotted over and nuzzled her leg, and she patted the dog’s head. At least somebody was happy to see her.

“Be right back.” Jax went down the hall to the bathroom. A minute later, he returned with a giant first aid kit and knelt in front of her.

While he’d been gone, she’d removed her coat and unlaced her boots. He avoided her eyes as he removed her left boot and then, very slowly and carefully, the right one. He gently probed her right ankle with his fingers.

“Does this hurt?”

“A little.”

“It’s definitely swollen. Is it okay if I take off your sock?”

She was suddenly glad she’d shaved her legs the other day, as she often procrastinated during the colder months. “Go ahead.”

She watched his capable hands push up her pant leg, and then he slowly rolled her sock down and off. There shouldn’t have been anything sexual about it, yet her mind went there anyway. He took such impeccable care in everything he did, and she imagined that quality extended to the bedroom.

She looked at her swollen ankle for the first time, and her sexual thoughts vanished. It was bruised and so puffed up there was hardly a distinction between her calf and ankle. It was a cankle! “Ouch.”

He glanced up at her, and the corners of his lips twitched. “It’ll be sore for a while, but the good news is it’s not broken.”

He continued to touch the area, his fingertips lightly dancing over her sensitive skin. “I’ll get you some ibuprofen and an ice pack to take down the swelling, and then I’ll wrap it for you.”

“Do you think I need to see a doctor?”

He shook his head. “I’ve twisted my ankle many times. You just need to stay off it for a few days, and you’ll be fine.”

He rose and strode into the kitchen, which was open to the living room.

“Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. How am I supposed to drive to my dad’s house?”

She watched him remove a glass from the cupboard, turn on the tap, and fill it with water.