Paige Cameron by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire Page B

put you to bed and then go to our rooms. I’m not sure I’d trust myself to not disturb you again tonight if I was sleeping next to you.”
    “I agree.” Payton went into the bathroom and started the water running into the tub. He tossed in some rose-fragrance bubble bath. They’d both thought she might like it. After the tub had filled enough, he checked the water and called for Cody to bring her in.
    “Here you go, darlin’.” Cody lowered Averil into the warm water.
    She sighed and leaned her head against the back of the tub. “This is wonderful and smells good, too.”
    “We’ll be nearby. Holler when you want to go to bed. And don’t fall asleep,” Cody warned. He and Payton left the room.
    Payton sat on the side of the bed. “It was even better than I expected. She definitely is our soul mate.”
    “Did you doubt it?”
    “Her stubborn resistance made me wonder a few times.”
    “Me, too, but not anymore.” Cody told him all that happened at the hospital. “When we get married, you can be the official husband. So when she needs someone to be calm during a medical emergency, you can step up. But I’m also determined to work on getting over this phobia. I’m going to ask the Priestess to help me.”
    “Good for you. And don’t worry. She appears to have forgiven you.”
    Cody grinned. “I think so, too.” He walked to the bathroom door. “She’s beginning to doze. We’d better get her to bed.”
    Payton picked her up and stood her on her feet beside the tub. Cody handed him a warmed towel. Payton carefully dried her body and then laid her on the bed. After putting some lotion on his hands, he massaged her muscles.
    “I hope we make love more often,” she whispered. “I liked it and the aftercare.” Then she turned on her side and fell asleep.
    “Damn, I’m going to need a cold shower,” Cody said.
    “Me, too. I’m headed to my room.” Payton took one last glance at Averil before they left to go upstairs.
    Later that night, Payton lay awake remembering every time they’d met, including the meeting when they had the contest to see who was the best sharpshooter. He smiled to himself remembering that it was a draw. But even before, during their first meeting in California, he and Cody had been drawn to her. She’d shied away from them then, too.
    She was theirs now, and no one was going to hurt her or take her from them. They’d have to kill both of them first.

Chapter Nine
     
    The doctor, dressed in a white coat, turned to look at Kira as she entered the room. “Who the hell are you? I told the nurses to keep everyone out.”
    “You certainly have a sweet disposition. I’m Kira. I was the blood donor.”
    “Ah, well I guess if anyone deserves to be here, you do. I still don’t understand how the blood developed so many antibodies so quickly. I’m an internist with some studies in epidemiology, and I’ve never seen or heard of such a phenomenon. Dr. Jack Talisman asked me to look at the patient.”
    “How’s he doing?”
    “His color is better, and his temperature is going down. I’ve just had a tech take the blood I drew to the STAT lab. They ought to be calling me at any moment with the results. Who are you related to? I haven’t seen you around.”
    “I’m Averil Stanwic’s twin sister.”
    “She was the first patient who was attacked with this poison or whatever it is.”
    “You believe it’s more than a simple poison?”
    “Yes. It attacks the organs more like a virus. That’s another reason I’m surprised the antibodies worked so well. We don’t do especially well with finding cures for viruses.”
    “Where am I?”
    They both looked at Harry. He’d opened his eyes and had a confused expression on his face.
    “You’re in the hospital, Harry. I’m Dr. Hakan Connor. Sahale and Lang are my brothers. Do you remember me?”
    Kira had been surprised when he said his name. She knew Hakan meant “fire,” and he was obviously part Native American. His long