Up in Flames Read Online Free Page A

a shower.”
    She immediately hopped off the bed. “Oh, of course.” He could tell by watching her body language she had just flipped the switch to becoming a professional around him. Too damn bad, because he was getting ready to un-flip the switch.
    She carefully un-taped the edges and slowly peeled it off. “Well, I don’t know what this looked like yesterday, but it hasn't completely healed all the way. Looks like everything has scabbed over well, and I see a lot of new pink skin, so I am going to guess this looked tons worse yesterday. There are no gaping sores though, so you should be able to take a shower, just be careful,” she instructed.
    “Well, I was thinking. I might have trouble cleaning it without taking a chance of opening things back up. You wouldn’t want to show me where your place is and help me in the shower, would you?”
    “Umm, Lucas, I...”
    “Good morning, everyone!” Dr. Weathers came into the room, saving her from having to come up with an answer.
    “Good morning, Doctor,” nurse and patient greeted him simultaneously.
    Dr. Weathers turned to Meredith. “So, how is our patient doing today?”
    “Most of his burns seemed to have healed overnight. We just removed the bandage from his back and it seems to be healing nicely.” Meredith was trying her best to be professional with Dr. Weathers, although she had the feeling he saw right through her act.
    “Hmm, let’s take a look at that back, shall we, Lucas?”
    Five minutes later, Dr. Weathers stated he was released but would need to take it easy for the next few days until all injuries were completely healed and he had regained his strength. “I am advising no work for the next three to four days. Plenty of blood, and you might want to find some help for at least the next day or so with cleaning your back.” Lucas shot his head up just in time to see Dr. Weathers shoot a quick meaningful glance over in Meredith’s direction.
    Lucas gave a low chuckle. “Thanks, Doc.”
    On his way out the door, he stopped and turned his head back to Meredith. “Meredith, we have no other patients. Why not take the next several days off? You more than deserve it, Nurse Amy and I can handle anything that might come up.”
    Meredith stood staring at Dr. Weathers. He knows. He knows I have found my mate . “Are you sure?”
    “Most definitely. I’ll see you in a few days.” And with that and a smirk on his face, he walked out the door. He had been happy when Walter gave him the heads up yesterday afternoon that Lucas and Meredith were mates. He could only hope this would mean a positive turn-around in his young nurse’s life. She deserved to be happy. And she certainly didn’t deserve the hell she had been put through the past two years.
    “So, do you have a shower I could borrow, sweets?” Lucas asked of his mate.
    “Umm, I have a little studio at the end of the hall.” She started wringing her hands again, and he wondered why she was so nervous this morning.
    Reaching over and lightly clasping her hands, he inquired, “Hey, what has you so uptight this morning?”
    She sat down abruptly on the side of the bed. “It’s just, I’m accustomed to taking care of everyone else, and I can’t believe I was so selfish last night and totally lost control and cried myself to sleep lying on top of you. And, well, I should have been the one taking care of you, not the other way around.”
    Knowing how much the admission had cost her, he pitched his voice low and soft, “Baby, I am fine. And as your mate, it is my honor and privilege to care and protect you. Now, how about we blow this room and you show me down to your place. I’ll even be a good patient and let you help wash my back. Okay?”
    Her laugh sounded like tiny bells tinkling. “Sure, come on.”
    He had just stood from the bed when Walter stuck his head in. “Oh, good, I wanted to catch you before you left. Brought you a few changes of clothes and a toiletry bag so you can shave,