Hide and Seek - Lara Adrian Page 0,63

pectorals that seemed to twitch.

The only sound she managed to produce from her dry throat was “Uh.” Great, she was turning into a drooling teenager. How pathetic.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” The deep timbre of his voice bounced off the walls of the tiny kitchen.

In the small room he looked even more imposing, even more attractive, more tempting.

“Is that the ice?”

He motioned to the bag of peas, prompting her to spring back into action.

“Yes, yes. Sorry, I don’t have real ice cubes, but this’ll do the trick.” She turned sideways. “Why don’t you sit down here then, and I’ll look at you.” Not that she wasn’t already looking at him. Or better yet, ogling him.

He squeezed past her to the single barstool next to the miniscule breakfast counter that was just big enough for one person. Awkwardly, she turned to try to avoid brushing against him, but it happened nevertheless.

A bolt of adrenaline shot through her at the unexpected contact. The accompanying heat wave scorched her from the inside, adding to the stifling temperature in her top-floor apartment. Right now, she wished for air conditioning, though she wasn’t sure it would help cool her body down.

Nick took a seat on the barstool and turned toward her. She placed the bag of frozen peas on the counter and reached for his arm.

“I’m just gonna touch your arm lightly to see if it’s broken, okay?”

He only nodded, but remained silent. Michelle felt his eyes on her and tried to remain calm. It was only natural that he was watching what she was doing, she told herself. In his situation, she would do the same. It didn’t mean that he was checking her out. Besides, he was probably in pain, and not even men had romantic feelings when in pain, right?

Slowly, she ran her hands over his arm. His forearm felt fine, and when she squeezed hesitantly, he didn’t protest. When she reached his elbow, she tested his range of motion, and again, nothing struck her as odd.

“All good,” he commented.

She brushed her hand over his upper arm and applied a little bit of pressure. Instantly, Nick jerked back and groaned.

“Sorry.” She caught his gaze. “I need to check a little more.”

“Mmm-hmm.” His eyes were unreadable. Had they turned darker?

The warmth of Nick’s skin made her fingers tingle. She took a steadying breath, hoping he didn’t notice how touching him affected her. Hell, she was no blushing virgin! He wasn’t the first man she’d touched. He wouldn’t be the last either. Though it had been a while since she’d been with somebody. Maybe too long. Perhaps that was the reason why touching him got her all flustered.

Pulling herself together, she continued examining his arm. Even though he hissed when she squeezed his bicep, she didn’t think his arm was broken.

“I think it’s just bruised. It’ll probably turn blue in a day or two.” She exchanged a look with him.

“Just as I thought. Thanks.”

“Hold on,” she said. “How about your ribs?” She pointed to his side. “You crashed against the newspaper rack quite hard. Lift your arm.”

Nick followed her command and she placed her hand over his side, pressing lightly.

He shrank back. “Okay, that’s enough playing doctor for one day,” he said lightly, though his facial expression told her that he’d gotten bruised there, too.

Michelle tilted her head. “And there I was having so much fun,” she said sarcastically. She sighed. “Honestly, men.”

She grabbed the bag of peas and placed it over his upper arm. “Hold this.”

While he pressed the makeshift icepack to his bicep, she wrapped the dish towel around it then knotted it. “That should do.”

She opened the freezer again and snatched a bag of sweet corn from it. “This is for your ribs. You’re gonna have to press it against your side for a while.”

“Aye, aye, ma’am.”

She braced her hands at her hips. “And don’t make fun of me. I’m just trying to help you, you stubborn idiot.” She sniffed in a short breath.

“So I’m an idiot now?” he asked way too softly—almost as if he knew what was going on inside her.

Tears sprang to her eyes. Nick could have gotten killed today. For her. For saving her miserable life, when she knew her life was practically forfeit anyway. Because if she couldn’t produce the results Mr. Smith wanted, he’d have her thrown in prison. And right now, she was at a dead end. As if somebody had put a wall up right in front of her. One she couldn’t