Page 22 of Sackett
“Then tell me what you want.The sooner I leave the sooner I’ll be back.”
It took her a moment to give her his order then she disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door behind herself.Sackett gave Maverick his order then glanced at the door where Maverick had been standing a moment before.“Did you check the balcony?”
“I did.And I locked the door in the bedroom and made sure there was something blocking it.I know we’re four floors up but it’s not impossible.”
“There’s a door in her room too?”
“Yeah, but just one balcony.”
Sackett nodded, not sure if it would matter, but it was good to know.Maverick left and a few minutes later, Sackett heard the shower turn on.He glanced around the room, wondering how she felt about having two near strangers stay the night in her room with her?Not that it mattered as long as she stayed in Colorado, he would be here too.And since she’d said something about staying for court, that meant he’d be here through that too.He’d have to talk to Maverick about whether he was staying, but he’d do that after his brother got back, probably after Selena went to bed.
The room wasn’t bad, as far as it went.There was a small kitchenette, divided from the rest of the room by a desk with a lamp then a sofa and chair before the door to the balcony on one wall was two doors, he knew one led to the bedroom and from where the sound came from, he assumed the other led to the bathroom.That would make using the restroom while she slept much easier, especially since she wouldn’t be staying in the room alone.
Even if they’d managed to get another room, it would only be for one of them to sleep in.As long as she was here, there would be someone in the room with her, and if Sackett had his way, it would be him.
By the time the shower shut off, he’d discovered that the sofa was a fold out bed.At least one of them would get a little sleep, as it was way too short for either of them to lay on.He’d figure out which took it, him or Maverick, after Selena went to bed.
A few minutes after the shower turned off, the door to her bedroom opened.Sackett looked up and found her standing there, eyes wide.Her face had been cleaned of any makeup, and she looked younger, more fragile than before.He wasn’t sure if it was because her hair lay combed but wet or that she wore an oversized T-shirt and long fuzzy pants that reminded him of the socks Maverick had gotten for her.He liked this version of Selena even more than the buttoned up, prim lawyer.
“Food’s not here yet?”Her voice was soft, as though she wasn’t sure how to approach him.
“Not yet.It’s only been about twenty minutes.I don’t know how far away Denny’s is, but they’ll have to cook and pack it before he can bring it back.”He looked down, wondering what he could say that wouldn’t send her back into the bedroom.“How are you feeling?”
She took a deep breath and let it out in a rush.He leaned back and watched her, trying to see what she wasn’t going to tell him.She looked tired, but not defeated.Far better than she had in the car while Colt had taken care of her feet.
“Tired, but better now that I’m clean.”She sat in the chair beside the sofa, sitting on the edge of the seat, but leaning all the way back so she resembled a small child in a chair that was way too big for them.
He slid closer and patted his leg.“Let me take a look at your feet.”Sackett wasn’t sure she’d do it, but he’d give her the chance to lift one foot or both before he bent and picked one up.
“They’re fine.”
“I’m sure they are, but I’d like to take a look.Make sure the walk inside, and your shower didn’t break things open and have you bleeding beneath the bandage.Or that the water didn’t compromise the bandage, and you could use another coating or two.”He patted his thigh again, hoping she’d give in, and he wouldn’t have to push the issue.
With a sigh that told him she wasn’t happy about it, she lifted one foot, then the other and propped them on his leg.
20
Selenahatedshowinganyweakness.She hated admitting he had a point wanting to look at her feet, so she didn’t.Instead, she lifted her feet and put them where he asked.Then she folded her hands together where they rested on her belly and closed her eyes so she wouldn’t have to watch him inspect her feet.
Why it hadn’t occurred to her to close her eyes when the other guy, the one they said had been some kind of medic, had been working on them, she didn’t know.As soon as she thought that she did know.She hadn’t felt safe enough to close her eyes and trust all the men around her.How odd that she did feel safe enough when it was just Sackett.
Now that it had occurred to her, she thought back over the trip to the hotel.How had she felt with the other guy, the one who’d been driving.What had they said his name was?Loaner?No.It started with an M.Like that guy from the fighter jet movie she saw with Estrella a couple of years ago.Maverick.That was it.
Had she felt safe with Maverick around?Now that she thought about it, she realized she hadn’t felt unsafe, but not as comfortable as she did around Sackett.She wondered why.What was it about Sackett that made her feel more at ease?
“Do I want to ask what you’re thinking about that’s got you frowning like that?”The low rumble of Sackett’s voice sent heat pooling low in her belly.She wouldn’t mind listening to him talk for another hour or two, at least.He had an amazing voice.His fingers were gentle as he checked the bottoms of her feet.
She knew she should look at them herself and see how bad they were, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it, at least not yet.
Why would she be attracted to him, especially now?She had to admit he was attractive but after her day, she didn’t think she would be up to having lascivious thoughts.Especially about one of her rescuers.Or maybe that’s exactly why she was having them.
“Did you fall asleep on me?”
“No.”Selena opened her eyes and found him watching her.“I’m not sleeping, just thinking.”
“Do I ask what’s got you so upset or let it be?”
She was quiet a moment longer, then decided to see how he reacted.“I was wondering why I felt safe enough to sit here like this, my feet in your lap and close my eyes, but it didn’t even occur to me while the other guy looked at them.”
