“We’ll work on it again tomorrow.” Donna promised.

The hot tub was heaven on her muscles. She was relaxing against the side of the tub when Viper came into the room.

“How did it go?” Viper asked Donna, but it was Winter who answered.

“Great.” Happiness shone out of her face, removing the sadness that always seemed to cling to her.

“I need to get to my next client, you got her?” Donna asked.

“Yes.” Donna left telling Winter she would see her tomorrow.

“I am ready to get out.” Winter moved to stand by the side of the tub, waiting for him to help her out.

“The hot water help your back?’

“Yes, it relaxes the muscles in my back and legs.”

Viper nodded, his eyes tracing a drop of water rolling down the skin between her breasts. Winter felt self-conscious for the first time, standing before him in the tiny bikini.

“Viper?” His dark eyes came back to hers, reluctantly leaving the expanse of exposed flesh. He lifted her out of the hot water before reaching out and handing her a towel. He waited patiently as she dried off, then picked her up and carried her to their room.

“I really like my new therapist. I got to walk again today, Viper.” He had sat her in her chair and was watching as she gathered her clothes to wear. Winter looked back at him before entering the bathroom to get dressed. “I am hoping I will be out of your hair in a couple of weeks.” Viper nodded, not saying anything.

He stood staring out the window, for the first time in his life, confused at how to reach a woman. Winter refused to see his interest in her, ignoring the messages he was sending her at every opportunity. She had turned the tables against him. Now he knew how she had felt for those two years trying to attract his attention while being constantly rebuffed.

He heard the shower stop and the sounds of her getting dressed. She was still fragile and would be for quite a while. She wasn’t strong enough yet to deal with the full force of his desire, but she was healing. When he thought she was capable of dealing with him then all the restraints he had placed on himself would be removed. He was giving her the time her body needed to heal but also to repair the mind fuck he had done for those two years.

Viper’s hands clenched into fists, forcing his body to relax and to get his cock back under control. The sight of her in the bikini had almost sent him over the edge to grab her, but he had been able to gain control. He hadn’t fucked anyone since the night she had been attacked and it was beginning to get to him. When she had thought he was faithful to her for those two years, he had fucked anything that crossed his path, working his desire for her out on numerous willing female bodies. Now, when she could care less about him, he found himself unable to bring himself to touch another woman.

Winter had her revenge and she didn’t even know or care.

Winter was walking by Christmas. She was slow and hesitant but gradually becoming stronger. Without saying anything to Viper, she called the school board and told them she would be able to return to work in the upcoming semester. Thankfully the school would be closed until the second week of January. She would still need the cane she was using but she felt more than capable of dealing with the workload. The physical part of her job she could delegate to her vice-principal while regaining the final stages of her strength.

Christmas was quiet around the house with just a few of The Last Riders remaining. Even Shade had disappeared for the holiday. Beth and Razer had spent the holiday with Lily, who had seemed recovered from the biker grabbing her. Beth told Winter that she had finally convinced Lilly to see a psychologist. The women had never shared with her what demons tormented Lily, and Winter wasn’t sure she wanted to know what had damaged the sweet girl so badly. Some things in life were better left undisturbed.

Christmas dinner had been good with just Viper, Rider, Knox, and Evie. This time, Winter had pitched in to cook and was rewarded with the compliments given. Smiling, she shrugged off the compliments and they settled down to a night of watching television. Two days later the crew was back and it was Friday, a combination that Winter could tell would lead to a wild night. She hadn’t attended another party and wasn’t about to. She planned on returning to her home at the end of next week, giving herself one more week of therapy, and though she adamantly refused to admit it to herself, a last week with Viper.

***

“That will do it. I don’t want to overwork those muscles.”

Winter relaxed, leaning down to catch her breath.

“You’re looking much healthier, Winter.” Donna complimented her.

“Thanks. I actually feel pretty good. I don’t take pain meds anymore and I don’t have as many muscles spasms.”

“That shows they are almost healed. What does your doctor say?”

“To take it easy and not run before I can walk.” The doctor had made the joke but Winter hadn’t found humor in the pun.

Donna laughed. “Don’t worry, you’re handling the workouts well and I think in a couple of months you’ll even be able to ditch the cane.”

Winter grinned back. “I am planning on it. I’m already scheduled to return to work the week after next.”

Donna frowned. “Are you sure you’re ready? There is a big difference walking around a house and staying on your feet for short periods versus standing for hours at a time. What did the doctor say?”

“I didn’t tell him.” Winter confessed. “I will do fine though, I have a staff at school. When I get tired, my vice-principal can handle things.

“I would think about it seriously, Winter. I think the next school year would be a more realistic option.”

“I need to get back to work. I don’t want them to replace me permanently. There is just the one high school in Treepoint. If I lose my job, I would have to find another school district.

Donna stopped arguing, knowing good jobs in Treepoint were hard to come by. “Let’s get you in the hot tub.”

Winter changed into her swimsuit and met Donna in the hot tub room. Sinking into the warm water, she was beginning to relax when Donna’s phone rang. Listening unashamedly and seeing Donna’s concerned look, she came to the conclusion one of her patients had an accident.

“I’m afraid we need to get you out of the tub,” she said after disconnecting her call. “One of my patients has had a bad fall and they need me to help get her back in the bed.” Winter got out of the hot tub with her help. Donna normally would have stayed while Winter got dressed, but she urged her to leave.

“I can handle it from here by myself. You go on, I’ll be fine. I can get dressed then call someone to help me up the stairs. While Winter refused to let herself be packed around any longer, for safety someone always stood close by as she went up and down the steps.

“Are you sure?” Donna asked, her mind on the other patient.

“Go.” Finally convincing the woman to leave, Winter went inside the restroom to get changed. When she was almost dressed she heard voices enter the hot tub area then splashing as they obviously entered the water.

Winter hurried, not wanting to remain there without anyone’s knowledge. Quickly opening the door, she went out and started towards the hot tub room. The door was half closed blocking her from view. She was about to make her presence known when she heard voices and stopped.