Chapter Three.
Eventually the two had hobbled up to the door. But the girl had a death grip on Dodger's neck. Dodger freed one hand from her waist then fumbled with the doorknob.
"You're almost there." he said. "are you sure you just don't want me to carry you to bed?"
"I'm sure."
He led her up to the bunk bed. Slowly she sat down her hands still ready to grip onto him if need be. Her bottom hit the thin mattress first. She let out a small breath of exertion then inched backwards .
He fumbled around until finding a candle. Her face came into view with the orangeish glow of the firelight. Her face now glowed. She was a lot more beautiful then he expected. Her face was pretty and pale and her green eyes looked like emeralds.
He broke out into a cold sweat. Never had he seen anyone that beautiful. She tilted her head on her shoulder and glanced at him peculiarly.
With slow movements Dodger lifted her leg up onto the bed. She let out a sharp gasp causing him to break out into another cold sweat. "sorry." he mumbled.
The other leg came up without any fuss.
He didn't think what he would do after getting her inside. It was obvious that ankle of hers needed more attention than a little nap.
What had Nancy done when Joe sprained his ankle last year ?
That was it he should elevate it ! Dodger snatched the pillow from behind her back. Her head jerked backwards smacking against the headboard.
Idiot !
Dodger scolded himself. He shook his head then slid the pillow underneath the sore ankle.
He sat down on the bed beside her ankle. He wanted to know her name so badly. But how could such beauty be justified with any name ?
"what's your name?"
She sighed. Her voice sounded hesitant as she uttered the beautiful string of words. "Brianne Kelly."
Heat rushed to his cheeks showing it's self in red blush. Her name did to her justice, the name that labelled her was just as beautiful and harmonious as her voice and looks.
"Brianne." he muttered to himself. "What did you do to your ankle, Brianne?"
She looked away shyly. "I twisted it in a badger hole or something." she blushed slightly. "Then I got lost. And it hurts more every second."
He looked handsome in this light. Brown hair draped over his forehead matching the colour of his eyes. His strong body no way showed with the quiet gentle way he touched her.
"well let me wrap it up for you." his low voice sounded like a song to Brianne . Suddenly he was unbuttoning his shirt reviling a set of toned and hard abs.
"what are you doing!" she cried inching backwards on the bed.
"wrapping up your ankle for ya miss." he shrugged as if it was no big deal that he was near stripping in front of her. "ain't got nothing else to wrap it up with. Less you want to lend me your shirt."
She gasped horrified. "no." she waved her hands in front of her discouraging the gesture. "you keep that on Mr…."
"Dawkins." he shrugged. "Jack Dawkins, but everyone calls me Dodger."
"Well Mr. Dawkins, I want you to know I won't let ya be ripping your shirt off in front of me in hopes of wooing me into your arms with your toned muscles and-"
"toned eh?"
She blushed then shook her head. "I mean… just keep your shirt on and get that out of your head."
"yes mum." he buttoned up the open buttons. "you're a picky little thing, you are."
"I am."
With slow gentle movements he rolled up the hem of her skirt. "that doesn't look too good." he said staring down at the bruised ankle. "looks like you clubbed it with a baseball bat."
"I told you I got it stuck in a hole."
He lifted his hands in the air as if backing down from a fight. "I know, I know. Didn't say I didn't believe you."
The door creaked open, suddenly his lips were pressed to hers.