He smiled. At least some good had come out of this whole mess. He took the stairs down to the fifth level and walked the length of the white corridor to the medical center. Jake was pacing the length of the small waiting room, and he looked around as Michael entered.
"She's being examined in two," he said.
Michael nodded his thanks and continued on. Nikki's gaze met his as he pushed through the door, her relief a warm sigh through his mind.
"Anything?" she asked.
He shook his head and glanced at the doctor. "What's the verdict, Mike?" The gray-haired doctor glanced at him over horn-rimmed spectacles. "She fine. Several loose teeth she might want to see about, but other than that, just bruises and cuts."
"So there's no need to keep her in observation?"
"No," Mike said.
"No," Nikki echoed, eyes flashing dangerously.
He smiled and twined his fingers through hers, then he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Then we have a job to do."
She hopped off the bed and grabbed her sweater with her free hand. "What job?"
"Lenny didn't give us anything. We'll have to check his apartment."
"We meaning you, me and Jake?"
He nodded. Even if he didn't need their help, he doubted he'd keep Jake away any more than he would Nikki. "I can't cross a threshold uninvited, remember?"
She grinned and stepped close to brush a kiss across his lips. She winced even as she did it. "Oww. That hurts."
He slid an arm around her waist, pressing her lithe body against his, drinking in the heat of her, the smell of her—sweat intermingled with cinnamon, sunshine and honey. "Then I shall have to find other places to kiss." He brushed his mouth down her long neck. Her pulse raced against his lips, an intoxicating sensation that called to the man in him rather than the vampire. Desire flooded the link between them. With her breasts pressed so snugly against his chest, he couldn't help being aware of her arousal, just as she was no doubt aware of his. He wished they were home. Wished he could give in to passion's flame. Hoped he had an eternity to feel this way. But right now, they had work to do.