Page 74 of Nowhere to Hide

“Okay.”

He turned away from me and headed back into the small kitchen. I couldn’t help as my gaze trailed over his still damp shoulders and back. Him without a shirt on was definitely not going to get old. I wasn’t even aware there were that many muscles in the male body.

The lust threw me off until I got a better look at his skin. The network of scars that ran along his back spoke of untold violence and pain.

Just who was this man?

CHAPTER 15

LOCKE

She didn’t needto fill the silence with small talk which I appreciated.

I liked the quiet.

Hell, I was afraid I’d lost most of the social skills that made me a good agent with Kendrick.

Cilla didn’t seem to care. She just dug in and made messy work of her dinner, but seemed to be eating with relish. I didn’t know much about her background, but it was obvious she wasn’t the type to eat fajitas with her hands like this.

You have to try harder with the next meal.

My jaw tightened at the invasive voice. I didn’t need to do jack shit. It was bad enough that I needed to go soak my head in the shower from our last interaction. Having her in my arms so much was messing with my head.

I went from no interaction to skin-to-skin, and the scent of her coconut-lathered skin was going to freaking end me. I was taking care of her—and she was wounded.

She didn’t need my bullshit.

Anger fizzled in my chest. I needed to get away from her for a while. Sunset was a few hours away and I’d planned to give hera nice view. Something to make this shitshow of a situation good for her, but I couldn’t.

I picked up the platter of scraps from our dinner and dumped it into the sink.

Shocked, she sat back. “Did I do something?”

“No.” I gripped the edge of the counter. “I just need some air. Let me get you back onto one of the benches.”

“You don’t need to do anything with me.” She made a soft sound.

I turned and saw the pain creeping into her eyes. “I do.” I stalked back to her and lifted her.

She yelped and held onto my shoulder, her breath lightly grazing my neck. “Locke!”

“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

I paused at the stairs near the kitchen.

She huffed out a breath. “Yes.”

I shifted her so her middle was against my chest and her head was higher than mine. The narrow stairs didn’t give us much room, and her breasts rested on my shoulder. Her very soft and perfect breasts.

Hell.

I maneuvered down the stairs and set her in the bathroom, quickly letting her go and closing the door. I rested my forehead against the door. I just needed to get through a few more days and she should be able to at least hobble around on her own.

I could do anything for a few days.

I heard her moving around and then a crash.

I swung the door open to find her sagging against the sink. The first aid kid scattered in the bowl.