“Shit, baby girl!” Aleki leaped for her, grabbing her hand.
Tears gathered in her eyes. He led her over to the sink and turned on the water.
“Damn it, how bad is it?” Wolfe asked urgently. “I’ll call Obian.”
“No, I don’t need a doctor. It’s not that bad,” she said hastily.
Aleki narrowed his gaze as he studied her. “It looks red and sore. Won’t hurt for Obian to look at it.”
Wolfe nodded and left the room.
“It’s just a small burn, Aleki. It’s not important.” She tried to pull her hand back then jumped in fright as he popped her on the bottom.
“Stay there,” he warned. “And everything about you is important. Understand?”
Warmth filled her at his words.
“Especially your health and safety.”
“I’ve called him, he’ll be here in ten,” Wolfe said, returning to the room. “I knew you shouldn’t have any more coffee. No more pouring your own coffee.”
She looked up at Aleki for some support. He just shook his head. “Wolfe, can you see if there is some burn cream in the First-Aid kit in the bathroom?”
“On it.”
“He’s going to fuss, isn’t he?” she asked.
Aleki’s lips twitched. “Yep.”
She tried to draw her hand back, the water was freezing cold.
Aleki gave her two sharp slaps on her ass. “Stay still.”
“Ouch. You don’t have to spank me. I’m already hurt.”
“And your hand will hurt worse if you move it too soon from the water,” he told her. “Now, stay where you are until I say you can move.”
She sighed but stayed there until Wolfe returned with the First-Aid kit.
Aleki lightly patted the burn on the top of her hand as Wolfe went through the kit, searching for burn cream. A chime sounded through the house, startling her.
“It’s all right,” Aleki said soothingly. “It’s just someone at the front door. It will be Obian.”
Caleb walked into the room, looking worried. “What’s going on?”
“She burned herself,” Wolfe snapped. “I called Obian, that’s likely him at the front door. Where is the damn burn cream?”
Reaching out, she lightly touched Wolfe. “I’m all right, Wolfe. I promise.”
“Would you tell us if you weren’t?” Caleb asked seriously, studying her.
She tensed. “Of course.”
Caleb eyed her skeptically. “I’ll let Obian in.”
She bit her lip. She couldn’t help feeling like she’d let them down in some way. Were they upset that she wasn’t complaining more?
“It’s okay to say when you’re hurt or upset,” Aleki whispered to her. “Like you did yesterday when you found out we were holding things back from you.”
Right. She had let them know then, hadn’t she?
“It really doesn’t hurt that bad. Promise.” But she likely had downplayed it. She sighed. “I guess it stings a bit. Some burn cream would be good.”
“Good girl,” Aleki murmured to her.
“Do I get a reward?” she asked.
“A reward, hmm? Like the reward Caleb gave you last night?”
She felt herself going red. “Umm . . . well . . .”
“Because I could totally get behind that.” He gave her a suggestive look and a wink.
“Here it is!” Wolfe drew out the cream.
“Be a good girl for Obian and we can talk about a reward,” Aleki promised.
“Sweet flower,” Obian called out. She looked up to find him walking in. Caleb followed, staring at her in concern.
She smiled to reassure him. Then turned to the doctor. “Obian, how are you?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine. Now, if you wanted to see me you did not have to hurt yourself. I would come visit you any time, sweet flower.” He came over to stand next to her, shooing Wolfe away.
Wolfe glared at him and for a moment she worried he was about to throw the older man out.
“Wolfe,” Caleb said in a low, calm voice.
Wolfe muttered something under his breath then slammed the burn cream down. “Stop flirting and heal her.”
Obian leaned in. “Are you sure you want to stay with them? Just say the word and I shall whisk you away. We can have a code phrase. Just tell me that your tummy hurts and I’ll put the plan into action.”
She grinned. “And what happens if my tummy actually hurts?”
“Hmm. That could be a flaw in the plan.”
Wolfe growled. Caleb cleared his throat. “Obian, perhaps you could take a look at her hand? Preferably before Wolfe loses his mind.”
Obian took gentle hold of her hand. “Ouch, that looks sore. What happened?”
“I just spilled some coffee on it. Not a big deal.”
Obian watched her in interest for a moment. “Well, let’s get some burn cream on it. Let’s have a look at what Wolfe has here. Yes, this will work fine. Then I can put a bandage on it. And get you some pain killers.”
“None of that is necessary, really.”
“Someone doesn’t want their reward,” Aleki sang, leaning with his ass against the counter, his arms crossed over his still-bare chest.
“Her reward?” Caleb asked.
Wolfe’s head shot up. “Reward? Like last night’s reward?” His obsidian eyes met hers. “Maybe I should administer the reward this time.”
Her breath caught at the idea of Wolfe with his head between her legs. She just knew he’d apply the same intensity to eating her out as he did everything else.
Aleki raised his eyebrows. “Really? Didn’t think you’d approve of her having ice-cream before lunchtime.”
“What?” Wolfe looked confused. “Ice-cream? I thought you were talking about—”
Caleb slammed his hand over the other man’s mouth. “I think that we can discuss the reward once we’re alone.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “If Vivi does as she’s told and lets Obian take care of her.”
“Of course, she’ll do as she is told. My sweet flower is a good girl.”
It didn’t give her the same thrill as when one of them called her a good girl, which was just as well.
She let Obian apply cream then a bandage, half-listening to his instructions. He checked her arm and was happy that the stitches had mostly dissolved and he was equally as happy with her foot. When he was leaving, she summoned up a smile. Caleb returned quickly from seeing him off.
“You keep getting hurt,” Wolfe said with a frown. “No more handling hot things.”
“Guess that means she can’t touch me then,” Aleki said with a sigh, shaking his head.
She grinned.
Caleb walked over and gave her a big hug. She sighed. He’d somehow known this was exactly what she needed. He massaged the tight muscles of her neck. “All right, jelly bean?”
“Yeah. Just a bit . . . overwhelmed.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I get it. You’ve got a lot going on. And you’re likely tired.”
There was the sound of a phone ringing from the back of the house towards his office. She leaned back to find him frowning. “I’m sorry, someone would only be calling if it was important. It could be from the states.”