The Last Marine Read Online Free Page B

pod and untangled the life support links. This wouldn’t be easy with him cuffed and clothed. The peripheral parenteral nutrition line would be easy enough to attach to his bare arm, so she did that first. She wrapped a band around his biceps, found his vein and slipped the needle in. “Is that okay?”
    He nodded.
    “No pinching? The vein doesn’t ache?”
    He shook his head.
    Why wouldn’t he talk? “I’ve got to put the electrode pads on you, or your muscles will atrophy.”
    He nodded.
    “Um, I’m gonna need to—”
    His hand twisted around and he unbuttoned and unzipped his cammies. Her face flamed, but she knelt and pulled down his pants. She’d just escaped one man, and here she was, kneeling in front of another with his pants around his ankles. She forced herself to pay attention to what needed to be done, placing electro-pads on his calves. Huge bruises covered his muscular legs. “Who did this?”
    One tawny brow lifted. The chains linking his cuffs and shackles jangled as he reached his hand toward her. The tip of his finger traced down her throat in a gentle caress that left her shivering. A foreign flutter settled into the pit of her belly—nothing unpleasant, just strange. She wet her lips as she stared into his eyes.
    He stroked her throat again reminding her of her question.
    She jerked her hand up to cover the dark stains circling her neck. With everything else, she’d forgotten the bruises Randolph had given her. In the grand scheme of last night, they seemed inconsequential. Randolph had done this to him, no doubt in an effort to make Chief Payne talk. And when he wouldn’t, Randolph had come to her. Well, soon they’d both be far out of Randolph’s reach.
    She shook her head and got back to work. Each of the electrodes needed to be placed over major muscles. She attached them to his thighs and calves and then blushed all over when she needed to reach up the tight boxers he wore to attach them to the hard globes of his glutes.
    When she stood, she pulled his pants up, careful not to snag any of the wires. But there was no way to re-button them. Not with the massive erection straining against his underwear. All the breath seemed to leave her lungs. “I, uh, think you’ll be more comfortable if I leave these loose.”
    He didn’t look at her, but gave her a curt nod.
    The electrodes that went on his arms were easy enough, but then she needed to lift his shirt to place those that went on his chest and abs. She stared at his dog tags, trying to ignore the wide expanse of smooth skin stretched over thick muscle. He hissed in a breath when she grazed a large bruise on his ribs. “I’m sorry. Almost done.” How could he even stand? He’d been badly beaten. Interesting the bruises were confined to areas his clothing covered—that reeked of true Parnell style.
    She went back to work, sliding her hands under his shirt and reaching up to attach the remaining electrodes to his back. It almost felt like a hug, bringing her flush against the hard muscles of his chest. He had a pleasant scent; musky and male. His skin was warm and smooth. Her nipples tightened and she blushed.
    Damn it, she didn’t like men. Especially not violent men. As soon as she finished, she stepped away. “Goodnight, Chief Payne.”
    His gaze, laced with surprise, shot back to hers.
    “Yes, I know who you are.” She hesitated, almost thanking him for trying. True, he didn’t succeed. He had made things worse, but he was the only person who’d ever tried to make things right. In the end, she placed her hand over his heart and smiled. “I’ll see you in six months.”
    He gave her a clipped nod in response.
    She slipped the clear plastic breathing mask over his face, activated life-support, pushed the door closed, and sealed him inside.
    The ten-minute alarm went off and she dashed back to her own chamber, pulling off clothes as she went. When she’d stripped down to panties and a tank, she folded her belongings and