“More advanced techniques have been in place, but none of them would work with an individual who has sustained your level of nerve impact or in your position.”
The procedure after therapy and rehab would enable him to control the movement of his lower limbs seamlessly. Newer technology required a complete replacement of the damaged nerves and had a seventy-eight percent success rate.
Complete replacement would also end his career in the military with the Jutak warriors because the patients who were successful reported sporadic spasms that required extensive medication to control.
Bane glanced down at his stretched out limbs beneath the pale blue cover he’d tossed over his lap. Sweat saturated the bed beneath him and dripped into his eyes. He tried to blink the droplets away then swiped futilely at his face. This had been his only option and it appeared to be a failure.
An alarm beeped from one of the monitors on the table beside his bed. It corresponded to the sound emanating from the white bracelet clipped around his right wrist. As if on cue, the door to his room swished open.
“There’s been an alert.”
Husky and smooth, the familiar voice was a welcome one. Bane stayed silent as the dark-haired medic assistant approached his bed, her hand going straight to the white band on his wrist. Her touch was warm, comforting.
As she leaned over him, Bane inhaled discretely and was rewarded with the light aroma she carried. Not floral or fruity. Something better, ripe with hints of a hidden sensuality he could only hope to uncover. A moment later, the alarm stopped.
“Lights on. Fifty percent.”
A dim glow filled the room at her throaty command, eliminating the stark blackness. Bane shifted on the bed to disguise the erection trying to make an appearance. His reaction was the same every time this particular medic assistant came to see him. She pulled a data pad from a large placket on the front bottom of the blue uniform shirt she wore. A uniform that hugged her thick, curvy form.
She didn’t gaze at his face one single time. That was Dharma Volgi. Efficient as always.
For some reason, her stern demeanor bothered, aroused and shook him from the apathy he struggled with. Day in and day out, she bustled about, never responding to his light probing questions about her personal life.
She never once reacted to his rare outbursts of frustration nor his occasional smiles. If he was hoping she’d notice his interest, he was wrong.
Strands of hair in deepest brown fell about her cheeks from the loose knot at her neck. Bane tugged on one with his left hand since she retained her grip on his right. “I am fine, Dharma.”
At last, she looked up but only to shoot him a warning glare as she jerked her hair free. “I will determine that.”
Her eyes were brown. Cold and not the least inviting. She was definitely consistent in her treatment of him. Too bad. The thought of sex sharing with her was often the only thing he had to focus on at night when the nightmares got too bad.
She’d probably ream him if she knew that. Bane wanted to smile but chose to relax against the bed until she had whatever numbers she needed. He closed his eyes, as always, at ease in her presence.
Mutterings drifted to his ears. Insults about him. A slight smile curved his lips. A crack in her armor at last. He’d disturbed her perfect routine.
When her fingers released his medical band and pressed against the raised skin over the glands on his wrist, he twitched. Did her thumb stroke ever so softly over his pulse? Impossible. Not rigid, rule following Dharma. His lids lifted.
As expected, her head was down, reviewing her readings. Satisfaction added a light tinge of red to her tanned cheeks. She dropped his wrist like it was a burning rod. “Done. You may return to sleep. Do you wish the lights to remain on?”
So formal. Despite her somber expression, he detected a glimmer of concern. Neither of them mentioned the nightmare. Then again, it wasn’t his first. Dharma usually worked days and wasn’t often witness to them, but it was probably in his records somewhere.
“What are you doing working so late?” he countered.
She was already halfway to the door, assuming he’d deal with the lighting on his own which he tended to leave on after this particular nightmare. Dharma paused and dropped her head toward the floor. Her annoyed exhalation had his earlier grin breaking free and completely dispelled the last remnants of disquiet the dream had left behind.
“I’m covering for Teyla.”
Bane hid his grimace. He didn’t care for Teyla. She was jittery in his presence. Too shy, too jumpy. But he kept those thoughts to himself and wondered at the adjustment to his schedule. He wasn’t fond of any changes to the routine the staff had established with him. Part of his reasoning was a safety precaution.
As a soldier with the Enotian military, it was ingrained in him to be wary about those around him. He wouldn’t feel entirely comfortable until he was back home and surrounded by his trusted teammates.
He wouldn’t complain, though. Not if it meant he got to see Dharma and her enticing backside, which the snug blue pants couldn’t hide. Her physique and deep golden bronze complexion with hints of a red undertone matched the other Breters on site.
Built on the taller end, she had curves throughout and was close enough in height he could rest his jaw on the top of her head. Which was saying something because he towered over the females on his home world of Enotia.
She had small breasts, but her rounded buttocks more than made up for it. They would make a perfect grip for his hands as he thrust into her.
His mouth filled with saliva and his cock filled in another way. If they sex shared he wouldn’t have to worry he’d hurt her in bed. All the care he used with Enotian sex workers wouldn’t be necessary. She looked strong enough to take him full on.
Long brown hair dark enough to be black was often kept in a knot at the back of her head, revealing angular cheekbones and a broad forehead. He knew her hair reached the middle of her back when loose because the pins had fallen out once when she’d been transporting him to a rehab session. It had taken every bit of his training not to stretch his arm the small distance between them and bury his fingers in the rich length.
Once more he adjusted the sheet over his lap to help disguise the physical stirring from her presence even though her back was to him. “Does this mean you won’t be here in the morning?”
Regret tugged at his senses. He liked his day starting with Dharma. It helped him deal with the head medic and his team. Truthfully she was the only thing positive about his stay here.
“I will be here in the morning,” she finally said. “Good rest, Jutak Hardusho.”
The door closed with a quiet snick behind her. Bane sighed. His goal was to hear her say his first name. At least once before he left here. But at this rate that might never happen. She was too efficient and professional about her duties.
***
She hurried down the hall and around the corner away from the sight of others before leaning against the wall. Her nipples were stiff peaks beneath her uniform top. Bane Hardusho tempted her.
Plenty of patients had come through during her rotation over the last two years and none elicited the disturbing response the Jutak brought out. The elite soldier had no idea how hard it was to appear immune to his presence. His smiles disarmed without effort, his frowns just as compelling.
She swiped a hand down her face and froze at her trembling fingers. Stars. How did he manage to unnerve her when rarely did he say anything inappropriate? Unless his devastating smiles and tentative jokes counted.