He shook his head even though she could see the movement cost him. “NO! No doctors!” He almost sounded like he was ordering her not to go; the blood loss and pain must be taking its toll. She knew he hurt badly, he hadn’t even opened his eyes all the way yet. All she had to do was convince him to let her get to a phone and his suffering could be put to an end. She watched determination takes its place on his handsome face and wondered how hard of a fight was ahead of her.
She took a second to let him calm down. “Ok. Ok. Calm down.” She decided to try another tactic that would hopefully distract him and give her time to come up with a plan, “Can you at least tell me your name?”
For a minute she thought he hadn’t heard her question. He just lay there holding her hand. Then he moved his head slightly and she was caught in the gaze of the most amazing violet eyes she had ever seen. She’d gotten a glimpse earlier but at this gaze, time stood still. She was held captive by his stare. She could almost feel an invisible tether keeping her close to this man. It seemed like his gaze alone reached inside and massaged her soul. She could feel him everywhere, like in that moment he had become a part of her. An integral part she hadn’t known was missing until that moment.
“Rayne.”
She blinked, coming out the fog his gaze had created. Although she’d been released from his stare, she could still feel him, warming her, stoking a fire inside of her she had no business feeling for an injured stranger.
“What did you say?”
“Rayne...My name,” he groaned and closed his eyes again. The stress lines around his eyes becoming more pronounced than they had been a moment before. Even the grip he had on her hand eased a bit.
“Oh, yea…Rayne. My name is Kyndel and we need to get you some help. You can’t just lay here on the sidewalk and sleep. You need a doctor and I’m sure some stitches in your head. Give me back my hand and I’ll go get you some help.” She pulled slightly on their combined hands. “It won’t take but a few minutes. I promise to come right back and wait with you for the ambulance. I’ll even go with you to the hospital, if you want.” She shivered from more than the temperature, “It’s getting colder by the minute out here. Not only are you hurt but you really need more clothes.”
“No doctors.” He paused. “I can’t be seen… Just need sleep to heal. “
She decided the only way to get him to accept the fact that he needed medical attention was to be tough. “Ok, Rayne. I’m not sure what your problem is with doctors and hospitals,” she gasped and her eyes widened. “Or is it with anyone seeing you?’ Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him a little closer, “Are you on the run? Afraid someone will see you that isn’t supposed to?” Her eyebrows shot up and her eyes widened, “Oh my God! Are you a criminal?” She tried to pull her hand from his.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took all of his energy to force the words from his mouth. How could he tell her that his injuries were already mending and that human doctors wouldn’t understand his accelerated healing along with his other assorted physical idiosyncrasies? He had to make her see the situation from his perspective. If she could just help him get somewhere safe, he could go into his healing sleep for several hours, rid his body of the silver and be almost 100%. More importantly, he would then be able tell her about himself and explain their amazing connection. For the brief moment he had looked into her eyes it had all become clear. She was absolutely, without any doubt, his mate. He’d known it before but the confirmation from the feeling of looking into one another’s eyes gave him comfort unlike any he had ever known. She was the woman that had haunted his dreams for countless nights. She was real and here and most importantly, his. The perfect match created for him alone by the Universe. It was his duty to love her, protect her and teach her the ways of the dragon shifters. But he had to heal to be any good to her or anyone else for that matter and to do that he had to convince her that he could not go anywhere near any other humans.
He furrowed his brow and slowly shook his head in answer to her questions but didn’t speak. The small effort caused him a great deal of pain. He felt her hand on his chest, rubbing small circles of comfort. He knew it would hurt like hell but he had to see her. He looked through his barely open eyes, realizing she had reached out to him without any thought of her previous fears. He felt the electricity caused by her touch on his bare skin and once again thanked the Universe he had been in time to keep her from harm.
Her warmth and tender concern was a balm to his soul. Had any other than his mother ever reached for him in kindness, to ease his pain? He was a warrior. Strong, determined, a leader among his clan. He had never known one little gesture could mean so much but now that he had experienced it, he craved more. He wanted to have her hands all over his body, preferably his naked body, but that would have to wait for a better time and place. He reminded himself that he had his whole very long life to feel her hands on his body and have his hands all over her incredibly luscious curves. Now he had to use whatever strength he had left to convince her to help him get to a safe place so he could go into his healing sleep.