Free Choices by H.M. McQueen Page B

towel wrapped low around his hips, he swore and dug through a drawer.  “Where the hell are my damn shorts?” 
    He had to be well over six foot tall, closer to seven feet if she were to guess. His broad muscular back bunched and his biceps bulged with each motion. He closed the drawer slowly and opened another.  Letting out a breath, he pulled out a pair of grey gym shorts. When his towel slipped he didn’t bother to tighten it, instead he yanked it off. Her eyes widened at the sight of his bare bottom.  This was one hell of a good-looking guy.
    In nude splendor, he padded toward what she assumed was a bathroom, only to freeze mid-step.  A muscle on the side of his face twitched and he turned toward her.  This time the sharp inhale did come. To her horror, Rachel’s fascinated gaze plummeted to the spot between his legs. 
    “Wow.” Crap did I just say that out loud?
    He slammed the shorts into his private area, covering what had to be the most alluring male part she’d ever seen. A frown formed and he pinned her with an annoyed look. “How long have you been awake?”
    “I’m not sure,” Rachel croaked out and averted her eyes to a spot past his shoulder.
    “Give me a minute.” He continued into the next room. 
    Rachel sat up and immediately everything began to spin.  “Oh, God.” She fell back against the pillows and closed her eyes. 
    “What’s wrong?” Just that quick, he was back beside her. With one hand he cupped her face and with the other he peeled back each eyelid and peered into her eyes. Could his eyes be real?  They were so light, almost white, with a luminescent surreal sheen.  Silver would be the closest she could come to describing the color.  He held up a finger.  “Follow my movement.”
    “Are you a d-doctor?” she stuttered, discomfited by his nearness. 
    “Something like that,” he replied and then took her by the shoulders.  “This time move slower.”  He helped her to a sitting position with unexpected gentleness.
    “What happened to me?” She feared his answer. 
    “You were attacked by a dark Fae, a demon would be more understandable to you,” he responded without hesitation.
    Damn it, why had she asked? “Did you kill it?”
    He nodded and his eyes shifted down, but then continued.  “I’m a slayer.”
    Of course he was. What the hell, demons existed, so why not slayers?  Unable to stop it, she giggled. The demon slayer cocked an eyebrow and pinned her with a questioning gaze.
    The man was gorgeous. Concentrate Rachel . “Err…so what is your name?”
    “Roderick.”
    Under his scrutiny, she fumbled with the blankets. “How long have I been out of it?”
    “Three days.” Standing back to his impressive height. “You lost a lot of blood, I had to give you a transfusion. I’m afraid you’ll have to remain in bed another couple of days, the demon took too much blood and I wasn’t able to give you as much as you need.”
    She eyed the IV bag attached to her arm. “Where did you get blood?”
    “I gave you mine.” He placed a large hand on her shoulder. “Get some rest we’ll talk later.”
    “No, I can’t stay, I have to go, I’m better…I promise.” The last words slurred and her eyes began to droop.  “On second thought maybe I will take a short nap.”

Chapter Two
     
    Two days later, the knife fell from his hand, clattering onto the kitchen counter. Roderick held onto the edge as the latest dizzy spell struck. 
    Cynden Fraser, his roommate and fellow slayer, entered the house through the side door eyeing the sandwich he’d made for Rachel. “Hey man, you okay?”
    “She’s up,” he replied and looked at his roommate.  “How the hell do I know that?”
    Cyn leaned against the counter, picked up half the sandwich and took a bite ignoring Roderick’s scowl.  “You are the local genius so I shouldn’t have to explain this, but since your brain seems to be on vacay, I’ll break the obvious to you.”  Cyn took another