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Stephanie winced as she tended to Sean. Although his injuries after the brawl with Levesque were relatively minor, she couldn't help feeling concerned.
"Oh, God... Sean, your jaw is starting to swell..." she said with a wince. She reached out tentatively, as though to touch the tender spot but stopped before she did so.
"It's not so bad," he protested stubbornly. "Believe me, I'll live." He didn't give a damn about what that bastard had done to him - he only cared about Stephanie, and *her* well-being.
"He bloodied your nose," she said, her voice reduced to a near whisper. When she'd first noticed that, she'd been terrified it had been broken.
Crestfallen, Stephanie lowered her head so that her long brown hair formed a curtain around her face. A heartbreaking clarity came to her, and she knew it was best she say what she was thinking.
"Sean, I..." Tears formed in her large blue eyes as she faced him seriously. "I'm no good for you," the brunette revealed, a sob building inside of her. "I think I should... leave. You're better off. Without me, Paul will never go after you again. You're so much better off without me..."
Despite her words, Stephanie didn't move a muscle. She hadn't the strength or the heart to do so - but if Sean told her to go, she would go. She squeezed her eyes shut when, a moment later, he cleared his throat to speak.
Stephanie felt her tears spilling forth as O'Haire placed his hand under her chin, tipping her head up to gaze into her face.
"Sweet Stephanie... How could you even think that? How could I ever be better off without you?"
The young woman opened her eyes at his words, blinking rapidly as she gazed directly into his bruised but handsome face.
"I... I really don't want to go anywhere," she moaned.
His blue eyes sparkled.
"Then don't," he said softly. He moved his hand over her face, drying her warm tears away.
Stephanie smiled weakly, then shrugged.
"I don't think I'd even have the strength to leave you now." She chased her words down with a tiny chuckle.
"I can't tell you how glad I am for that," O'Haire replied, his gaze softening. He was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, and Stephanie was standing between his legs as she tended to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer and against him. Very gently and slowly, he pressed his face against the woman's full breasts, his hands raising the edge of her shirt. He moved his fingers to her smooth, supple skin, marveling at the feel of her muscles dancing beneath.
Stephanie let out a soft sigh as she felt Sean's lips suddenly on her stomach. She wrapped her arms around him, her small hands tangling in his shaggy dark hair. The truth was, she wasn't sure she could handle the intense feelings he invoked in her. It was all still so new to her. Hell, having a man in her life who truly loved her was a new concept for her.
Before too long, O'Haire was pulling her down onto his lap, and the brunette willingly complied. From there, she gazed deeply into his deep blue eyes, her lips parting, before pressing forward, their lips meeting. She felt the vibration of his groan as their tongues met and battled for dominance.
They were both breathing heavily as Sean lifted Stephanie up in his arms, the first-aid supplies forgotten, and carried her into the main room.
The brunette clung to him, her arms clasped around his neck.
Then, Sean realized she was trying to speak.
"Sean... Make love to me..."
O'Haire grinned, more than happy to oblige.