Page 87 of Hold Your Breath

She finally dredged up the courage to meet his eyes. Unfortunately, she moved the flashlight to follow her gaze and he flinched back, raising a hand to block the glare. As he retreated, he banged his head against the edge of the cabinet opening. “Fuck.”

“Ouch.” Cringing in sympathy, she reached toward him and then pulled her hand back again before she did something to cause more damage. “See? Chaos.”

His eyes were squeezed shut for another moment as he rubbed the injured spot. Shaking his head, he resumed his position in the cabinet. “Pipe wrench.”

Lou handed it to him, handle first, with extreme caution.

“And no. You don’t remind me of her. At all.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. You are smart, and you might not know how to do something, but you figure it out. You’re tough and brave, and I respect you.” Since he was focused on tightening the pipe as he said this, she was pretty sure he didn’t notice her eyes get wet.

“Thank you.” He might not have seen her threatening tears, but there was no hiding the waver in her voice. Darn it.

“I’m not saying anything that isn’t true. Hand me that rag.”

As she held it out to him, she gave a watery laugh. “I don’t think you can technically call that a rag.”

He wiped away any traces of excess putty. “Why not?”

“It’s nicer than most people’s guest towels.”

With an amused snort, he examined the repair a final time. “Done.”

“Nice work, doctor,” Lou commended in her best sexy-nurse tone, turning off the flashlight. Although a smile lifted one corner of his mouth, it slipped away when he turned to face her.

“I like having you around.”

The butterflies were back. “Good. I like having you around, too.”

“It’s too quiet when you’re not here.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Boring, too.”

“Oh.” It wasn’t the cleverest of responses, but she couldn’t help it. His admission had stolen all her words.

They stared at each other for a long moment until she couldn’t take the rising tension anymore. She had to say something.

“Now what?”

He seemed to be fixated on her mouth. “Now…”

“Yeah?” Her voice had gone husky.

Their faces were so close.

“I’m trying to be patient,” he muttered.

She watched his mouth move, too entranced by the shape of his lips to really focus on the meaning of his words. “Uh-huh.”

“You’ve had a very traumatic week.” His face moved another inch closer to hers.

“Mmm.” She could almost feel his exhale on her skin.

“I shouldn’t…take advantage.”