True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,25
and started down the stairs. His head throbbed enough to block the ache in his stomach. Bonus.
She followed him. “Stop when you get to the second floor. I want to evaluate the damage to your head.”
“It’s nothing.” He’d learned his lesson, though. He used extra caution navigating the narrow stairway. Missing a step would be bad news for him, the creaky wood beneath his boots and this precious trunk.
“Didn’t sound like nothing. Sounded like you whacked it good.”
“I have a hard head.” Or so he’d been told each time he’d landed in the ER after a fight back in the day.
“I insist you let me check it out. My first-aid supplies are in my bathroom on the second floor. That’s the most convenient spot to assess the situation. Stop there.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She was the boss on this job. She’d paid for the privilege of telling him what to do. He arrived at the landing. “Where do you want me?”
“Set the trunk down, first.”
He did as he was told and turned to her as she descended the last few steps.
Walking over, she reached for his chin and gently turned it so she could see the right side of his head. “You didn’t break the skin but it’s swelling.”
“I’m not worried about it.”
An impatient snort was followed by an eye roll. “Come into the bathroom. I’ll put some cream on it to start and get you an ice pack when we go down to the first floor.”
“The cream’s okay but an ice pack will slow me down.” He followed her in and was instantly surrounded by the fragrance she used, one that smelled like sunshine and flowers.
“You don’t have to hold it on there for long. Even ten minutes will help a lot.”
“I don’t need—”
“Shh.” She gestured to the closed lid of the toilet. “Sit there.”
“I never realized you were so bossy.”
“I never realized you were so stubborn.” She opened a drawer, grabbed a tube and twisted off the cap.
“What is it?”
“A magical potion that makes you putty in my hands.”
Already there. “Seriously, what is—”
“Arnica. Helps with pain and reduces bruising and swelling.”
“That should be enough then. I don’t need an ice pack.”
“Yes, you do. Now hold still.” She moved in close, leaning toward him the way she did when she was shampooing his hair.
As she smoothed the cream over the tender spot at his temple, her breasts hovered inches from his face. Their gentle movement as she breathed sent his pulse rate skyrocketing. He gripped his knees and closed his eyes.
“Does that hurt?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Does, too. You’re clenching your jaw.”
Not the reason. He loosened his jaw muscles.
“That should do it.” As she moved away, the warm air pocketed between them shifted.
He kept a tight hold on his knees. He was dangerously close to reaching for her. Gradually opening his eyes, he met the concern reflected in hers. He swallowed. “Thanks.”
“Promise you’ll watch out for that low-hanging doorframe from now on.”
“I promise.” Need any more promises, Eva? I have a bucketful of them. Just give me the word.
Chapter Twelve
Eva hadn’t mistaken the look in Nick’s eyes this time. His gaze darkened the way it had last night and his breathing changed. If she leaned down and kissed him, he’d be okay with that.
Boy, was she tempted. His heart-stopping ride into the arena had placed him in hot cowboy territory and he’d only added to his appeal since then. His lips parted slightly as if he might be reading her thoughts, gauging what she’d do next.
Awareness hummed through her veins. The prospect of being tucked against his firm body tightened her nipples and sent warmth rushing to her lady parts.
Just in time, she grasped a lifeline of self-preservation and backed away. She didn’t know his expectations and he had no clue about hers. That was how people got hurt and she had no desire to hurt Nick. She liked him too much.
She broke eye contact and put the top back on the arnica tube. “Stay here and I’ll go get the ice pack.”
He stood. “The trunk’s halfway there and the next set of stairs is easier.” A husky note in his voice sent a shiver up her spine.
“And once it’s delivered to the first floor, you’ll relax for ten minutes with an ice pack?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Alrighty, then.” She left the bathroom and waited while he regained his hold on the trunk. Then she followed him down. Better keep an eye on him and look for signs of disorientation since he’d sustained a head injury.
He seemed