101:

AXEL

Ashley's head was bowed and I could see her muscle flinch. I knew she was feeling so much pain. The whip had torn some flesh from her back, causing an open wound that was obviously stinging.

I grunted in dissatisfaction. I didn’t like that I hurt her but I was more pissed at the fact that I wanted to make her feel better. I just felt a strong need to ease her pain.

Without thinking, I held her arm. In one pull, I dragged her up to her feet. She turned and looked at me. I tried to read the look in her eyes but she lowered her eyelids immediately.

I tucked my hand behind her thighs and carried her to the bed. She yelped as my hand brushed her wound. I dropped her carefully and went to my dressing table for an ointment.

“Lay on your back,” I said, stiffly.

“Huh?” she looked confused.

“Let's see what we can do about your wounds,” my voice came out more like a low rumble in my throat.

She stared at me wide-eyed. She could not believe what she heard. I did not waste time trying to