“You should allow our doctors to check you. They are excellent at what they do.”
“I don’t need a doctor. Really. I just have a little bruising from the Taser darts and from the fall.”
The smile disappeared and a low grunt came from him. He appeared angry all of a sudden. “Who Tasered you? What fall?”
“Gregory Woods had his guard stun me and I hit the floor. I thought you’d know about that. I mean, I told Justice.”
“I haven’t spoken to him.” His gaze traveled down her body. “Where are you hurt?”
“My back. I was trying to escape out the front door when I was tagged with one of those electric dart guns. It’s really not bad.”
Smiley took a step closer, almost touching her. “Let me see.”
He smelled like soap and man. It stirred instant memories of the last time they’d been that close. She tilted her chin up to keep her gaze locked with his. He had really beautiful eyes and she felt lost in them. The sunlight coming in through the windows showed small swirls of darker brown in them. They were truly breathtaking.
“Let me see.” His voice was almost a whisper.
Vanni had to force her mind to work, reminding herself what he wanted to see. The attraction she felt for him made her a little befuddled. Images of them kissing and what they’d done in the SUV kept flashing through her mind, which made it difficult to focus on his words. “I’m okay. It’s just minor stuff. Really.”
“Vanni,” he rasped, “let me see.”
She forced her legs to move and retreated a step. “Um, it’s my shoulder blade.” Her hands opened against her thighs, the feel of the fabric there comforting. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have anything on under this. I didn’t want to put on the only pair of panties I have until I can wash them.”
He glanced at her thighs and then back up. “I still want to see.”
She swallowed hard. “I’d be naked.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. I’d enjoy it.”
Whoa. He actually said that. She wasn’t used to men being so frank.
“I’ve seen you before.”
As if I need a reminder. More flashes of that night popped into her head. Smiley without his shirt after she’d torn it. Him leaning over her, his lips brushing kisses along her neck. Her nipples pebbled when she remembered him nipping her shoulder with his teeth. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest to cover them in hopes he wouldn’t notice.
“Um…” Her mind blanked.
He inched forward. “You’re blushing.”
She could feel the heat in her cheeks. “Um…” She retreated a step.
He advanced one, pacing her. “You’re shy.”
“Yes,” she got out.
“There’s no reason to be. It’s me. Take off the shirt and turn for me.”
Her lips parted but she wasn’t sure how to respond to that and didn’t want to sound like an idiot again. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “No.”
A pained look flashed in his eyes.
“I mean, I can’t take my shirt off. That’s, um, I barely know you.”
Smiley’s eyebrows rose.
“You know what I mean. We barely know each other. I mean, we do know each other but we were drugged. We aren’t now. I can’t just strip.”
He offered a hand. “Let’s go into the living room. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Vanni. We’ll sit and talk. I won’t ask again to see your injuries.”
She timidly reached out and put her trembling hand in his. It was as warm and big as she remembered. He gently closed his fingers around hers and turned, waiting for her to follow. She appreciated it when he moved slowly, mindful of her hesitant steps until they ended up next to the couch. He released her.
“Have a seat. Please.”
She sat, tugging the shirt hem down to cover her knees. Smiley didn’t take a seat next to her but surprised her by crouching and pushing the coffee toward one end of the couch. He faced her, dropped to his knees and sat back on his heels. His smile looked a little forced.
“Relax,” he urged. “We’ll just talk.”
“Why are you there? You can sit on the couch with me.”
“I’m better off here.”
“Why?”
He licked his lips. The slide of his tongue over them drew her attention and she focused on his mouth. “First off, thank you for not screaming when you discovered I’d let myself into your home. I was worried about you when you didn’t answer the door. I came in through a back window. I’ll fix the lock later.”