Chapter 29

~Grace~

Man, was he heavy!

I struggled to pull the strange man into my room. Thankfully, everyone was asleep, but I sure wasn’t being quiet by any means.

Although he was slender, he packed on some muscle, giving him some real weight. I did my best not to hurt him in the process, but I definitely dragged him down the hall. I just hoped he wouldn’t feel any of it when he woke up.

Hefting him onto my bed, I stopped to catch my breath, closing the door behind me. I flicked the lights on, and seeing him in the light now, I could make out more of his features.

He was definitely a man, but he looked so young. I wondered what he was doing in the forest so late? Light freckles peppered his cheeks, and he looked so soft with his eyes closed and plump lips.

Situating him on the bed better, I searched through my bathroom to find some first aid items. I may not be the best help he was going to get, but it was better than nothing.

I grabbed some supplies and sat on the bed next to him. His injury was under his shirt, and I lifted it up slowly to get a better look.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist, hard. I gasped, and saw the stranger staring at me intently, with wide blue eyes.

Oh, I must have freaked him out when I just started pulling up his shirt like that!

I opened my mouth to explain myself, when the man flipped me over with surprising force. I huffed, the wind slightly knocked out of me as I lay with my back on the bed. Looking up at the man, who stared down at me, his hands pinning both of my hands above my head, I stayed still.

Had I frightened him? What kind of reaction was this?

I felt nervous under him, his body blocking out the light in the room.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn't mean to startle you,” I began, avoiding his bright blue eyes. It felt like he was looking into my very soul.

“I was only trying to tend to your wounds,” I said, hoping he’d understand. I definitely should have asked permission first, but I thought he was unconscious and if I waited until he woke up, he might have bled out by then.

The man stared at me more, his expression unchanging. I cleared my throat nervously. Did he think I was a creep?

“I’m trying to help you, you’re hurt,” I said more firmly, motioning with my head toward his stomach.

For a moment longer, he didn’t react, but I slowly felt the pressure lift from my wrists, and he sat up, practically straddling me.

I felt my face turn red, realizing what an awkward position we were in. I had to look away. It seemed like he either didn’t notice or care how… suggestive a position like this was.

“U-um… could you get off of me, please?” I mutter, not sure how else to bring it up.

I can feel his cool gaze watching my face. He had to know how flustered I was by this, my cheeks were burning up.

Slowly, he climbed off of me. I breathed a sigh of relief, sitting up myself.

Oh my goddess!

I covered my mouth with my hand. When I looked over at him, he had taken his shirt off! He sat confidently, staring at me expectantly.

Looking him up and down, I realized that he had a pretty nice body. Not nearly as muscular as Alex was, but had a more lean, sleek figure.

I knew I was blushing again.

Get a grip, girl! What is with you tonight! I almost had an intimate moment with Alex, and now I had another shirtless man in my bed.

He took his shirt off so you can get to the wound, not so you can gawk at his body, I told myself.

I took a deep breath, pulling myself together. Looking back at him with a furrowed brow, I leaned forward to inspect his wound. It looked pretty bad, I had to admit.

“Where did you get a gash this big? Looks like something tore into you…” I muttered to myself, not expecting an answer.

And I didn’t get one. He only watched me with silent curiosity.

I pulled out the first aid supplies and took out a cloth and doused it with alcohol.

“This is going to sting a lot okay?” I give him a sympathetic look, waiting for a nod before dabbing the cloth against the cut.

He winced, and I felt his body tense. He gripped the sheets tightly, and hunched forward, gasping between breaths. I’m sure it hurt like hell, with a cut this deep. But if I didn’t disinfect it, it was likely to get infected and he’d be a goner anyway.

“Almost done…” I continue gently, wiping away the blood in the process.

Cleaning up the rest of the wound, I pulled out some ointment.

“This will help keep bacteria from getting in, alright?”

He nodded again, his brows still scrunched in pain. It must still sting. I gave a small frown. I really did feel bad for him.

“This one won’t hurt, I promise,” I told him, and he gave me a small smile through the pain. I gave him one back and applied the ointment carefully.

I made sure to cover the entire wound, and then pulled out some gauze.

“Now I’ll just wrap it, to keep everything secure.” He watched me with interest, his expression more relaxed now. It looked like the pain from the alcohol had subsided.

Putting the gauze in place, I took some bandages and wrapped it around his waist. I reached my arms around his back to grab the other end of the bandage.

He merely sat very still, though, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want to be tempted with anything else tonight.

I finished tending to his wounds, sitting back with satisfaction. I was no medical professional, but I did a damned good job.

“You’ll likely need stitches,” I warned him, “but that’s too advanced for me. You… can sleep here for the night. And tomorrow, we can find you some real help.”

The man nodded, laying down in my bed, seeming to settle in. I stared at him for a moment, taken aback. I mean, I guess I did say he could stay here for the night, but honestly, I was thinking about finding him another room.

“Ah-” I began, not sure what to say. However, I heard the steady rise and fall of his breaths, and I leaned over him.

No way! He had fallen asleep already!

I mean, he did have a rather exhausting night, and it was the middle of the night anyway, there was no doubt he’d be so tired.

I sighed. But what was I supposed to do? Sleep in bed with a stranger?

I settled down next to him, scooting to the edge of the bed so we weren’t touching. He had seemed harmless so far, and it felt rude to leave him here all alone. I supposed it was fine, only for tonight.