Page 121 of Rebel Rising: A Dystopian Romance

I smiled fondly at the big dog. I had to admit I felt safer having her with us.

Alicia rummaged in her bag and pulled out a first aid kit. She tossed it to me before pulling Coal into a quick, gentle embrace.

“See you on the other side." She gave us a salute and a grin then turned and ran out of the clearing. Laurie squeezed my shoulder reassuringly then sped after her.

"Do you need help?" I asked Coal as I pulled some bandages out of the first aid kit

“We just need to strap them up tight, there's not a lot more that we can do but it will help." He started to pull his coat off but hissed in pain.

“Let me." I moved over and gently eased it from his shoulders, then I carefully pulled his shirt over his head. He didn't react but I could see the pain written on his features.

“He got a few kicks in." He smiled nonchalantly, showing me the right side of his chest where a nasty purple and yellow bruise had taken root. "Do you think I should have killed him?"

I paused, halfway through the process of unravelling a bandage and glanced up at him.

“Didn't you?" I asked innocently.

“You know I didn't," he smiled knowingly.

“I guess it would have been a bit...dishonourable to kill him in cold blood," I said eventually.

"And I wouldn't want that." Coal laughed but stopped quickly, placing a hand on his ribs again. "Okay, don't make me laugh."

"Alright. How can I help? What should I do?" I asked, holding the bandage between my hands uselessly.

"Just run your fingers down my ribs one at a time pressing lightly, I want to know how many are broken." He took the bandage from me so that I could do what he asked.

“Okay." I took a deep breath, placed my fingertips on the highest rib and pressed gently.

I tried to ignore the fluttering of my stomach as I touched him and continued the inspection. On the third rib, Coal flinched away minutely and I drew my fingers back quickly.

"Sorry," I breathed.

"It's fine, I count one so far." He smiled encouragingly and I carried on. The next two ribs caused him pain too but that was it.

“Three?" I asked.

Coal nodded. “Three.”

My fingertips lingered on the toned muscles at the base of his stomach and his gaze heated as he looked at me.

My chest rose and fell with deep breaths as I trailed my fingers lower, exploring each curve and ridge as I looked into his dark eyes.

“We should get going,” I breathed and my pulse pounded steadily, my flesh tingling with need as I lingered too close to him.

“Probably,” Coal agreed, reaching out to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing over my lips as his gaze darkened hungrily.

I leaned forward, wanting to taste him again but a grunt of pain escaped him before I managed it and I pulled back sharply.

“Sorry,” I breathed.

“Don’t be,” he replied.

“We really should go,” I insisted. He was hurt and he needed some real help.

“Okay.” Coal glanced around the clearing and his eyes lit up as he noticed something.

"Do you see that plant over there? Big green leaves, little pink flowers." He pointed to a patch of shrubbery.