Free Can't Resist a Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto Page B

muscle jumping in his cheek. Even in uncertainty and pain, Levi was the most breathtaking man she’d ever laid eyes on. Whatever his clothing hid, she’d accept it because it was a part of him. Her fingers tingled at the promise of soothing his pain, even as her heart geared up to protect itself.
    “I stripped in front of you, buddy.”
    “No.”
    “Look, I use oil during therapy that helps the muscles relax. But you have to take your jeans off.”
    Levi’s face was impassive, his fingers clenching even harder around his thigh. His shoulders softened a little, and just when she thought he might agree, he shifted as if to get up. Afraid that he was going to leave, Carrie crossed her arms and took a steadying breath. He couldn’t leave—not in this much pain. She’d never rest knowing she’d let him walk out of here.
    Time to pull out the big guns. “Are you scared?”
    His eyes narrowed, his lips going thin. “What did you say?”
    “You heard me, cowboy. Are you too scared to let me see, or are you man enough to let me help you?”
    His chin came up and the steely expression was just what she’d hoped for. The marine in him wouldn’t back down. Neither would the cowboy. “Don’t give up on a challenge so fast, Levi. I’d be awfully disappointed.”
    His hand shot out and snagged her wrist, gently yanking her forward until her face was inches from his. A thrill raced through her, every inch of skin on her arms going electric. “I don’t lose. Pants stay on. And by the way, Carrie Lynn, you seem to have forgotten how good I am at paybacks.”
    She huffed a short laugh. Hell no, she hadn’t forgotten. It’s what the wicked part of her—the one that still wanted him despite good sense—had been counting on.
    …
    He resisted the urge to get up and walk out because he needed the relief her hands could bring. Wary, but relenting, Levi lay back with one arm under his head and straightened his legs the best he could. It ate at him, lying vulnerable, and made it hard to stay still.
    His lids wanted to drop, but no way was he taking his eyes off Carrie. Her hands moved carefully, purposefully, as she smoothed his jeans. At first, her firm touches were nearly unbearable. Forcing himself not to wince, Levi clenched his shoulders and took a tight breath. He’d been on horseback way too much today. Shit, not just today, this week in general. So much for taking it easy by fixing the fence.
    “Breathe out, nice and long.” Her soft voice had the same effect as a drill sergeant’s yell, prompting him to do as he was told without question. Staring at the ceiling, he focused on even breathing, and slowly, the pain turned into an ache.
    “Tell me what you’ve had done.” She moved down past his knee, her palms soothingly warm through the denim. Levi’s mouth was so dry he could barely speak.
    “Hardware in my femur. Tendon surgery. Muscle debridement and grafting.”
    “Infection?”
    “Oh yeah.” Over half of his outer thigh muscle was gone, along with a good portion of the front. What hadn’t been blown off had become infected, the disease leaving behind a network of ripped and sunken muscle. Lying in a hospital bed as long as he had allowed more muscle mass to waste away. When all was said and done, his thigh looked like a half-eaten drumstick. Tissue grafting had provided some extra padding and support. Therapy worked to strengthen the leg to support his body weight. Standing, walking, taking steps, driving, all became huge feats of willpower and perseverance.
    Her touch went deeper, penetrating with the firm downward pressure. Levi groaned despite himself, instinctively leaning his head back.
    Carrie started to speak, but stopped herself. Then, hesitantly, “Can you tell me about it? What happened to you?” Her hands were easing and pushing and prodding from his hip to his ankle and back up again. Though he knew she’d asked him something, Levi couldn’t seem to pull himself together to answer. He was