Page 8 of Her Property

“Well, it’s deep, but you’ll live. You did well to keep pressure on it.”

“Don’t suppose I can sleep it off?” she said.

“You’re going to need stitches,” he said. “Several of them. Can you tell me where to find a clean towel?”

Cat pointed to the powder room down the hall and he got up, leaving her hand resting in her lap.

As soon as he left, she slumped down. What the hell had she done? How had she gotten herself into yet another mess? Embarrassment ran through her as she realized how badly she’d messed up. Yet again. All Alfred had asked was that she stay away from one person, and she’d managed to end up with him looking after her giant gaping wound because she couldn’t leave well enough alone. She needed to tell him to leave. She should stand up, tell him thank you, and that she could take it from here.

Cat always knew how totake it from here.

Until now.

She didn’t know what to do next. She was lightheaded, far from home. She couldn’t think straight.

Jake was back a moment later with a folded white hand towel and pressed it on her hand.

Cat looked up into the neighbour’s eyes, noting from some faraway place the deep blue of his irises and the fiery ring of caramel around his pupils.

She swallowed. “I think I need your help.”

* * *

Cat had lostthe argument to drive herself to the clinic pretty quick when it was clear she had no idea where she was going.

“The closest hospital is up in Millerville,” Jake said. They still hadn’t left the driveway—mainly because she’d pointed out to him he was still half naked. “There’s an urgent care clinic in Barkley Falls, though” he said, his voice muffled as he rifled around the space behind his seat for something to wear.

The way his bare torso twisted under his flannel shirt, the muscles of his shoulders tensing as he lifted up various tools; the way she could see the shadow of hair running down the lower part of his stomach and disappearing in his jeans when he angled his body a certain way… it all made a specific kind of warmth swim in her belly. This man didn’t have a clue how gorgeous he was. And how dangerous it was to just hang around a girl with his shirt undone when said girl was already feeling lightheaded.

“The clinic’s fine,” she said.

Jake finally retrieved a rumpled cotton hoodie. He shook it out and looked like he was about to raise it to his face to give it a whiff before glancing at Cat and grinning sheepishly.

“I’m not used to company,” he said, stretching his arms into the sleeves and zipping it up.

She thought she’d feel better when he had a shirt on; like she might be able to breathe again. But god damn, the man looked just as sexy in a worn hoodie as he did with his whole front showing.

She bit her cheek hard, needing to remind herself of the matter at hand.

“If you’re about ready,” she said, training her gaze straight out the window ahead of her.

She herself was wearing one of Alfred’s coats Jake had slung around her shoulders on the way out—a men’s Mac jacket that he’d pulled off the hook by the front door on their way out. It looked ridiculous—it had to be big even for Alfred.

Sorry,” Jake said, breezing right over her clipped tone. Or choosing to ignore it. “Are you in pain?”

“I’m fine,” she said, but before she could insist he get going, he leaned towards her.

Cat’s sucked in a breath and pressed herself back against the seat. “What are you—” she began, but he carried on past her, bending over her lap. He stretched an arm over her legs and popped the glove box.

Her cheeks rushed with heat.

Of course. What the hell did she think he was going to do?Kissher?

He didn’t seem to notice her embarrassment, so intent as he was rifling around in the glove box. “I know I’ve got some ibuprofen somewhere in here,” he said.

Heat from his body glowed against her thighs. The warmth inside of her grew, inching downward. Cat held her breath as he leaned even further forward. His head was nearly on her lap and she had to close her eyes. A flash of an entirely inappropriate version of this situation danced briefly in her mind: the top of his head lower, nestled between her bare thighs. Him looking up at her with a devilish smile before bringing his tongue back down on…

“I’m fine!” she squeaked.

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