“Better. Any idea what time it is?”
“I can’t take you back to Caldwell yet. It’s still light out.” As she frowned, he shrugged. “We’re discreet in these parts, what can I say. And I’d think you’d also want to keep your head down.”
“All things considered, I think we can both agree I haven’t been taking very good care of my noggin lately. If I were a supervisor, I’d be fired for negligence by now.”
He actually smiled a little at that.
Rio went across and sat down next to him. As she put her knees to her chest, she didn’t want to mirror his position so she rerouted her legs, stretching them out in front of herself.
“So how much do you know about concussions?” she asked.
“They hurt, but you can sleep ’em off. And I’d say you’re following that medical advice nicely.”
“Trying to, at least. But yeah . . . did you know they can cause personality changes.”
“Really? Like what—wait, is this where you make an excuse for being bitchy after I saved you. Three times?”
“Oh, my God, you read minds.” She pulled back a little and put her hands over her heart. “Or you’re just really intuitive. P.S., is this working?”
His eyes returned to her and she could tell by his tight lips that he was trying not to smile. “Three is not my favorite number, you know.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not divisible by anything but itself and one.”
“So you’re an even man.”
“I am.”
Rio fiddled with the loose shirt she was wearing. In the back of her mind, she realized that she still had on the one that had been cut—and a claw of remembered terror came back.
But she had no time for that kind of stuff.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she murmured.
“Was there one?”
“Is my charm offensive working?”
Luke looked down the hall. Both ways. “I’m lying out here like a guard dog, aren’t I? And that was even before you started this non-apology strategy.”
“Non-apology? Come on, I have head trauma. Cut me some slack.”
“Apologies generally include the word ‘sorry.’”
“I knew I forgot something.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry that I was rude.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“Great. And does this mean, provided I lose the attitude, you might be willing to save me again?” She put her hand out. “Not that I’m looking to find myself in danger again or to be rescued by anyone but myself.”
He laughed a little. “You know, that last one does not surprise me in the slightest.”
“I’m an independent woman—”
“I know. For example, you didn’t realize I was out here and you were ready to leave on your own.”
“No, I didn’t know where you were exactly, but I was very aware you were still”—she motioned around—“in the vicinity of where this is. And I wanted to go to the bathroom.”
After a moment, he nodded. “Okay.”
Well, crap, she thought. Neither one of them could truly trust the other.
And then she realized the silence had gotten stony. “So what can I do to pay you back for saving me?”
Lucan blinked at where his mind went as Rio tossed out that inquiry. Then he glanced up and down the corridor again because he had to do something with his eyes that did not involve her lips.
“Nothing. Protection’s a free service offered to females who are tough as nails.”
“That’s gallant of you.”
“Not really. It’s because I’m lazy and self-interested. If you’re a hard-ass, I don’t have to be a hero that often. Damsels in distress are a fuck ton of work.”
Rio laughed softly. “I can respect that logic. We’re in a dangerous business, aren’t we. Self-protection always has to come first. So, let’s start as we mean to go on, and say three time’s a charm and you won’t have to do the rescue stuff with me again.”
“Deal.”
He extended his hand, and as she clasped his palm, there was a strange look in her eyes. And he felt it, too. That sexual charge.
“So,” she said as she retracted herself from the contact. “Any-who . . .”
“You want a shower while you use the bathroom? It’s safe right now.”
Her stare returned to his. “It is?”
“Well, -er. It’s safe-er.” He nodded to the bathroom. “I wish I could get you some fresh clothes, but all I have to offer is running water.”