Free Earth Bound by Christine Feehan

feel where the pain is coming from and unblock or redirect the path of the nerve. For you to have this much pain, it has to be more than chronic inflammation.”
    â€œMostly nerve damage,” he admitted.
    â€œI really think I could help—at least I’d like to try.”
    â€œWhat’s making you so nervous?” He didn’t let go of her chin or allow her gaze to shift from his.
    She touched the tip of her tongue to her lower lip. Her lashes swept down to veil her eyes for a moment, and then he felt her take a breath as if making up her mind.
    â€œI have to see the damage to your body. Put my hands on you. I mean like your bare skin.”
    She was red from her head to her toes. He was certain if he could see her scalp even that would be red.
    â€œI’m not making a pass at you. I can’t do that sort of thing . . . I just want to help you. I mean . . .” Her thumbnail came back up toward her mouth.
    He caught her hand to prevent the movement. “You’re trying to say you’re not going to jump me the minute you have me naked on the bed.”
    He’d never teased anyone, not since his parents had beenmurdered, but he couldn’t possibly help himself. He thought he’d forgotten how it was done, but she was priceless trying to convince him she wasn’t attempting to seduce him.
    Lexi cleared her throat twice. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m trying to say.”
    â€œWhy do you think you can’t do
that
sort of thing?” He kept the amusement out of his voice. He could ensure she would be quite pleased to do that sort of thing—with him. “I’m very good, just in case you were considering it.” He couldn’t help teasing.
    She stared at him in horror and then burst out laughing. “Very funny. I wasn’t wondering.”
    He was fairly certain that was the strict truth, but she would be now that he’d planted the thought. Sex clearly was a taboo subject, and he couldn’t blame her. Her introduction had been a nightmare.
    â€œI’ll concede that you’re just going to . . . um . . .
inspect
my body for completely altruistic reasons. What do you want me to do?”
    â€œI’ll go get the herbs I need and some needles and incense and you can take a shower and get under the sheets. They’re clean. I don’t sleep on the bed, but I do the laundry every week.”
    He shook his head. “Do you have any idea how bizarre that is? You wash the sheets once a week but you don’t sleep on the bed?”
    â€œMy sisters usually come over on Saturday, so it’s just simpler not to have to explain. They’d get all worried and want me to go back to the counselor, and I’ve made as much peace with the situation as I’ll ever be able to. I don’t want to keep talking about it.” Lexi folded back the thick down comforter to reveal bamboo sheets.
    Gavriil didn’t know what to say. He was going to let her try to work her magic on him, but he knew it wouldn’t work. Every doctor he’d gone to—and there had been many in various countries—had told him there was no hope. His body was too damaged. But still . . . She’d worked up the courage to tell him she might be able to help even thoughshe was horribly embarrassed that she had to ask him to let her see his body.
    â€œThe towels are on the rack. There’s soap and shampoo, and I keep extra toothbrushes in the drawer. I’m always losing them,” Lexi said.
    He raised his eyebrow for an explanation. She flashed a small, enigmatic smile, shrugged and left the room. He took a long, deep breath. This had been the most he’d talked with someone in a very long time. It was the first time he’d spoken with someone he considered “good.”
    He undressed slowly, stashing weapons around the room and under the pillow. He hung his coat in the closet,