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"Bastard bit the wrong man. If I hadn’t shot the fucker, I’d be making boots out of his hide,” I growl.

“At least it won’t be biting anyone else.” The doctor smirks. “The nurse will be in to change your IV bag in a few minutes. If you need anything, the call button’s beside your bed.”

“How long do I have to stay?”

“At least twenty-four hours for observation. We need to make sure there’s no delayed reaction to the venom or the antivenom, and that the swelling doesn’t cause any complications. If everything looks good by tomorrow, we’ll get you on some pain meds and send you home with instructions to keep weight off that leg for a few days. But if there’s any sign of infection or lingering tissue damage, you might be here a little longer.”

“I’ll be fine,” I mutter.

“He’s not leaving until you say it’s safe,” Isabella says to the doctor, while giving me a stern look. She’s so hot when she’s bossy.

“Tough woman you got there.” The doctor grins. “But she smells like swamp and needs a shower. Can you get her to do that?”

“I’ll try, but she’s not a woman who can be told what to do.”

“Not anymore,” she says, reaching for my hand.

“But, babe,” I scrunch my nose, “he’s right. You smell like swamp ass.”

“Gross.”

“The nurses gave him a sponge bath earlier, but he’s going to need another one now,” the doctor says. “I’ll send them to clean him up.”

“I’ll wash him,” she snarls, all possessive and sexy.

“Suite yourself.” He shrugs, heading toward the door to the hallway. “Shower’s in the adjoining bathroom. Also, can you do something about all the men in the waiting room? They’re distracting the nurses.”

“I’ll take care of it,” I say.

“No, you won’t. I will,” Bella says, puffing her chest as the doctor leaves.

“Shower first,” I say.

“Kiss. Then shower.”

She presses her soft lips to mine. As much as I want to prolong the kiss, that smell is getting more revolting by the second.

“Babe,” I say, breaking the kiss.

“Be right back.”

As soon as the shower turns on, the nurse comes in. She’s carrying a duffle bag. “One of those guys in the lobby brought a bunch of clothes for your girlfriend.”

“Thank you.”

She sets the bag on a small table in the corner of the room. “And about those guys out there… are any of them single?”

“Everyone but Vapor,” I say, smirking.

“Good to know.” Her eyes glisten with mischief as she leaves the room.

I must have passed out for a bit because when I open my eyes again, Bella’s standing over me, smelling like freshly peeledoranges and sunshine. She’s sitting beside my bed, holding my hand. “Welcome back. Want some ice chips?”

“I’d rather have a beer.”

Her melodious laughter fills the room. “Later. For now, ice chips.”

“Yummy.” I sigh.