Tena StetlerAuthor of Paranormal Romance/Suspense & Cozy Mysteries With Magic Spark!

“Let me see.” Derrick had gathered some supplies from Jed, who still carried my backpack. There were unused rags leftover from Nick’s gunshot wound and a sewing kit in his hands. The doctor had gotten down on one knee, set his supplies aside, and was staring at my injured hand.

His jaw and fists were clenched. I could see on his face that he was holding a part of himself back as he drew near me.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine. I’m sure you have more important things to do. My wounds aren’t deep.”

The muscles in his forearm tightened at my words. His voice sounded strained. “That’s for me to decide.” He grabbed my hand and turned it over impatiently before dropping it. “Flex your fingers.”

I did so easily.

He nodded his head. “Good. The cuts don’t appear to be deep enough to have done damage to your nerves. I don’t think you need stitches.”

I raised one eyebrow. “Told you I’m fine.”

“But that doesn’t mean you don’t need my help.” His dark gaze met mine as his voice grew hoarse. I could hear whatever he was holding back coming through. “You’re making a big mess with all this blood. Have I told you how much I hate messes?”

“You didn’t have to, I could tell.”

My words were nonchalant, but my heart was pounding loudly in my ears as he licked his lips. He looked ready to either throw me off the edge of this barn for offending him with my uncleanliness or like he was the real zombie here and ready to eat me…

“We need to clean you before I bandage you up.” He lifted one of my hands towards his face. “It stopped raining and we don’t have any water to spare, so I’ve been left with no choice. It’s not the most sanitary option, but…”

He parted his full, sexy lips and popped one of my fingers into his wet mouth. I wanted to protest, but I was paralyzed. He sucked the blood off like some kind of ravenous vampire. I gasped in surprise, feeling weak in the knees. His mouth was so soft, warm, gentle, and slow. He sucked on each of my fingers in turn until I shut my eyes, ready to give myself over to him.

He moaned as he continued to suck and I couldn’t help imagining that mouth exploring other places. We would-

“Stop!”

The moment was interrupted as Nick grabbed him by the shoulder and yanked him up and off of me. Nick punched him in the stomach. Derrick grunted and hunched over, almost collapsing to his knees again.

“I told you to keep your hands off of her,” Nick growled the words. “If you touch her again, I’ll hurtle you off this roof and let the zombies take care of you for me.”