Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Though she wore a proper camisole under her sleep shirt, the neckline was loose.
She changed anyway.
William’s wound would have torn open from those punches. It needed new stitches.
That couldn’t be done at home.
Since he was hurt protecting her, she’d go with him to the hospital.
Though she’d lived here for years, she’d never seen William stay overnight.
Following him upstairs, she discovered the large corner suite on the third floor wasn’t empty as she’d thought – it was his.
The spacious room was almost bare of personal touches.
“Let me see your arm. I’ll clean it before we go to the hospital.”
She was close enough now to smell the metallic scent of blood.
William didn’t move. “Just leave the supplies and go.”
“Don’t be stubborn about medical care,” Kaylee set her first aid kit on the bench, along with his black opal cufflinks she’d retrieved. “Or we can go straight to the hospital.”
“Not necessary.”
William’s long fingers began unbuttoning his shirt.
As each button opened, his athletic build was revealed.
The injury made undressing difficult.
“Let me help.”
As she reached for his shirt, he caught her wrist.
“Dr. Lawson, just leave the supplies and go.”
Pain edged his voice.
Seeing his blood–soaked sleeve, Kaylee remembered their first meeting – that terrible scar running from his
shoulder down his back.
Perhaps he was self–conscious about his scars.
“You were hurt helping me. I promise I won’t tell anyone,” she added softly, “Besides, I’ve already seen them.”
Though not completely.
William’s grip loosened, then released. “You’re too thin.”
With permission granted, she carefully helped remove his shirt.
She thought she’d imagined the extent of his injuries.
The reality was far worse.
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Chapter 15
His back was mapped with scars, some deep, some shallow
One particularly brutal mark slashed diagonally across his entire back to his shoulder.
Kaylee caught her breath
“Hideous, isn’t it?” William turned slightly. “Don’t look. I don’t want to disturb you.”
“I’m a surgeon. I’ve seen worse.”
Though she said this, her heart ached for him.
Even healed, these wounds must have caused unimaginable pain.
Maintaining her professional demeanor, she examined his right arm.
As expected, the nearly–healed stitches had torn from the force of his punches.
