Sunday Snippet: Therapeutic Recuperation

Big cold snap with a little bit of snow this week in weather. I'm getting much better about making sure I have layers on even if it's just a quick trip outside with the doggos. I also haven't had a major cold yet this season and I hope I didn't just jinx that fact.

Semibusy work week with finishing a proofread and working on two copy edits. I'm hoping to have some projects to work on over the holiday break. I'm not great at having a week or two off then trying to gear back up into work mode.

Fairly decent week of viewing. I'm trying to decide what new show to add to my usual slate of viewing fare. I'm leaning toward Beyond Paradise, but I'm not completely sure yet.

Caught another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I hadn't seen much if any of this episode and I enjoyed it. I think I have a handful of episodes left before it'll be time to switch to another show.

Watched another episode of London Kills and tensions are running high. The case ended up being very interesting and Viv and Rob are pushing the line by investigating David. Looking forward to more of this one.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. Part one of a two-part arc and the lead-in to the show's one hundredth episode. Loved seeing Camille at the end and can't wait to watch the next episode. I've seen almost all of it and loved it.

Finished up season two of Elementary. I still think Mycroft is an ass even if I get why he did things the way he did. I'm a little on the fence about where Sherlock and Joan left things. I'll be interested to see where they pick up with season three.

Started the two-part series finale of The Batman. I don't remember if I actually watched this before or not but it was a good episode. I think I might move on to Batman Beyond after this.

Also watched another episode Classic Rugrats. I hadn't seen either of the vignettes and enjoyed both.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Therapeutic Recuperation, a novella that brings a couple together after a major explosion.

Here's the miniblurb:

An accidental blast on the hangar deck lands Nadine Hewes and Hall Pullion in sickbay. The ship's doctor gets them stable then puts them in the same alcove so they don't drive everyone else nuts while they recuperate, leading the pilots to discover all kinds of interesting things about each other.

And a sneaky peek…

Year 3952

Base Recovery Room 219

Day 5

Nadine groaned. "Physical therapy sucks huge heavy balls." She made her way slowly into the recovery room and barely got up on the bed, near tears. "I feel like a raw, open wound." After someone poured salt into it.

Hall scooted his wheelchair over and reached out a hand to reassure her.

She stopped him. "Don't, Hall. Please. Just don't. I hurt so bad right now if you touch me, my reaction will be punching you in the face." And then weeping from the effort that would take.

Hall dropped his hand. "Damn, I wonder if I can look forward to that tomorrow?" He made a low scratchy sound in his throat.

Nadine's eyes popped open. "Seriously? I hope not. It's like a gigantic pain bomb exploded under my skin." She moved, wincing. "I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy, which you are not." The physical therapist on the other hand…

Hall flashed a smile. "So … who is your worst enemy?"

Nadine snorted. "I have no idea. You could probably do a quick check and find out who lodged the most complaints about me." That could be a fun endeavor.

Hall didn't let her off the hook. "C'mon, Nadine. I can't check anything from here." He rolled over to the supply cupboard and got some ice for her.

Nadine gingerly placed the pack on her shoulder then mused and named off several crew members. "The best would be Flat Foot actually filed a grievance because I called him out for leaving his gear in the cockpit." A huge no-no. "And Beehive lodged a complaint because I turned her in for being hungover." Not even Nadine tried to fly after imbibing too much. "And the list goes on…" She pushed boundaries but didn't cross the line.

Hall's lips twitched. "You're not exactly high on any of the deck crew's list either." He obviously enjoyed her tales of potential enemies.

Her eyes narrowed. "And I think you're having a little too much fun at my expense."

He smirked. "Maybe. But how do you feel?" He arched his brows.

She tilted her head. "Better, actually. The ice helped." And the distraction didn't hurt either.

He nodded toward her feet. "Can you handle a massage?" He wiggled his fingers in the air.

She gave a low moan. "Ah … you're gonna spoil me. What am I gonna do when we get out of here?" She lowered the bed a few inches to make it easier for him to reach her.

Hall gave her a leer. "Dream of my magic fingers." He warmed his hands by rubbing them together then started on her calf muscle.

Her breath hitched. She already dreamed of those fingers and what they might be able to do. The only good thing about physical therapy? The aftermath left her so tired she didn't dare try to discover how much pleasure Hall could wield with his hands or any other body part. But her mind loved to conjure images while she slept.

He finished the rub down and wheeled over to his duffel bag and grabbed his shower kit and a crutch. Tucking the container under his arm, he used the crutch to start back across the room.

When he got to her bed, Nadine snagged his arm. "Thank you." He helped ease the agony from a torturous physical therapy session and helped take her mind off the discomfort by with the art of distraction.

A charged moment passed between them. He had to know what her thoughts were. But he didn't push. Instead, he put his hand over hers for a moment then excused himself to grab a shower, walking slowly and carefully into the head.

Nadine drifted off, fully aware she'd dream of Hall and his gorgeous hands and not minding one bit.

I'm enjoying this one. Nadine and Hall are a fun couple to write while they try to recuperate from their injuries.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye