finally catch them in my fingers but drop them. And my god, I’m losing my mind. I can just plug in the security code and open the door. Flustered, I kneel and gasp as a man kneels in front of me. I blink Alexander into view, his timing uncanny and uncomfortable.
“What are you doing here?” I sound snappy. I just can’t help it.
“Apparently playing hero,” he says, catching my arm and staring at the bloody towel. “What the hell happened to your hand?”
“I cut it on a piece of wood. I’m assuming I need to get stitches.”
“I don’t have to look at it to know, that yeah, based on the amount of blood, you need stitches. There’s a minor emergency a few blocks over. Let’s go there now.”
“No, I—”
He pulls me to my feet, causing a dizzying rush that’s momentarily blinding. “You’re gushing blood,” he insists. “I don’t know why you’re standing here right now when you need to get medical attention.” He snakes his key from his pocket. “I’m in the delivery zone. I saw you walking and pulled over to catch you. Just come with me. I’ll get you where you need to go.”
“Alexander, no, I—”
“You need a doctor,” he insists. “My help comes with no obligation, Aria. Contrary to anything Kace August has told you, I’m not that kind of an asshole.”
“I don’t have it in me right now for whatever war you’re fighting with Kace.”
His lips press together. “Let me help you,” he prods softly. He dangles his keys. “Let’s go get you fixed up.”
He says this help comes with no agenda, but we both know it does. I don’t want to go with him, but my head spins and my towel is drenched. Logic and good sense must prevail—thus I say, “Yes. Thank you.”
His broad shoulders beneath his ridiculously expensive suit relax slightly. “This way.” He steps to the side to allow my progress forward, his hand settling at my back. I’m aware of his hand but not because I’m aware of him. It’s the opposite. I’m aware of how little he affects me, and of how intensely Kace affects me. Our connection felt real but I’m not sure if that matters or tells me anything at all. I’m not sure anything will until later when I’m alone.
Alexander opens the passenger door, and I slide into his fancy Porsche, a beast, as Kace would call it. Actually, the car, and its description by Kace, is appropriate, considering Alexander is a bit of a beast himself. He’s all force to Kace’s sweet seduction, but that’s the thing about seduction, it isn’t always so sweet at all.
I’m struggling with my seat belt when Alexander settles into the driver’s seat and comes to my aid, catching it and helping me seal it into place. Our hands touch and while there is nothing electric about the connection, I feel an awareness, his wholly male awareness. I yank my hand back and why do I feel like I’m betraying Kace? We are not a couple. Not anymore. I’m not sure anything between us was real, except my intense reactions to him. That was real. That was consuming.
My phone buzzes with a message and I ignore it. Alexander cranks the car. “Need to get that?”
I rest my head back on the leather cushion and shut my eyes. “No.”
“How’d you cut your hand?” Alexander asks.
My lashes lift but I don’t look at him. “A wooden drawer,” I say, and my gaze shifts to the window. Only then do I realize that he’s already pulled away from the curb. Actually, we’re not even on my street anymore.
“That doesn’t seem like a sharp object,” he comments.
“A chunk of wood was sticking out,” I say, my lashes lowering again. “Maybe there was steel or a nail, too. I just don’t know.”
“And you were alone with this wooden drawer?”
I jerk my head up and look at him. “Yes.” That’s all I offer and I feel no temptation to expand on my answer. I’m a practiced master of one-word replies. “Where is this minor emergency?” I ask, peeking out of the window.
“Right here,” he says, pulling me to the door of a building with a big red cross on the front. “I told you it was close. You go in and get attention. I’ll park and be right in.”
“You don’t need to come in, Alexander,” I say quickly. “I appreciate the help, but I really am fine.”
“I’d be a total asshole to leave you here alone.