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Argh! I let out a small cry of frustration This was exactly why I was afraid to coht It’s not that I don’t knohat my body wants, it’s that I sure as hell can’t ever allow myself to have it

Like, ever

Because I kno that ends: withI’d never laid eyes on him in the first place

Emerson returns from the kitchen with a damp cloth and the old tin first-aid kit He kneels down atin his hands

I flinch away frorounds out One look from him, and I obey--his whole face is set and deter to take care of ht now

"Your ankle should be fine," E my bare foot in his hands "It’s not broken or sprained I’ll get this knee cleaned up"

"I can do ithiravel and blood

"Like you could cycle home? Or take care of yourself in the bar?" Eutter if this is how you’ve been carrying on the last four years"

Before I can reply, he takes the bottle of rubbing alcohol, and then pauses "This is going to hurt a little"

A little?

"Motherfucker!" I let out a yell as he pours it over the open wound

"OK, so I lied" Es like hell, but to : the more I can focus on the pain, the less ti, or watch how his head is bent overme

Emerson wipes the alcohol away, and then presses a Band-aid over the wound There’s a pause, he glances up to catch my eyes Then, to my shock, he slowly leans down and softly kissesmine

My heart stops

Slowly, Enetic stare, he steps his feet on either side ofover to rest his hands on the couch cushions on either side of my head His face is just inches away froh that I can feel the heat radiating from every muscle The look in his eyes is deadly determined