Page 57 of Finding Redemption

The door swings wide, and Maisyn ducks her head in. “I’ll leave this here,” she says, sliding the towels and kit onto the table.

“Thank you,” Walker and I bark in unison.

I roll my eyes, peeling the scarf away to check out the damage to his hard head.

“I think you need stitches.” I grimace, reaching for a towel to apply more pressure.

“I’ll have Ava check it out later.” He licks his lips

I watch with bated breath. His mouth is perfect.

“Hold this. I’ll get something to clean it up so we can get a better look.” His hand brushes mine and goose bumps race up my arm. “Ridiculous,” I murmur, not thinking he would hear me.

“What is?” he asks, peeking out of one eye.

“I was trying to avoid you, so I came in like a bull in a china shop.” I grit my teeth at my admission.

“There’s no reason to avoid me, Reese,” he grinds out.

I step between his open legs to get a closer look at his eye. “So you say. Hang on, I’m gonna lift this up.”

“Still, you didn’t have to run me down.” His crooked smile tells me he’s joking, but I’m not laughing.

I purse my lips. “You should be grateful.”

“Grateful? For?” He raises a brow.

“That I didn’t run you down with my Jeep.” I squirt antiseptic onto his wound.

He flinches but doesn’t move. “Nice. Thank you for that.”

“Not running you over with my car or the wound care?” I dab at his cut, inches from the same mouth that gave me so much pleasure.

“Whatever.” His body goes rigid. “Can you please clean this up so we can get to work?”

“Sure.” I blow on the area, drying it before placing a butterfly band-aid on it. “There you go.” Before I can step away, Walker’s hand finds my hip, and everything south of my naval tightly coils.

He tilts toward me with a heavy sigh. “It has nothing to do with you. Please, I need you to understand.”

I fight the urge to wrap him in my arms as a heaviness fills my body. “I don’t. And I’m positive there’s nothing you can say that’ll make me.” I step away from his touch, immediately feeling cold.

Walker stands, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I-I’m sorry. I should’ve never allowed it to happen, but I want you to know I don’t regret it.”

“What?” I tremble, anger rushing through me. “You don’t mind we kissed, but you hate we did?”

“No, I didn’t say that.” He pulls his hands free, crossing his arms. “Why do you insist on twisting every word I utter?”

“Walker…” I drop my head in defeat, knowing he’ll never admit what we both know. How we feel. “Whatever you want.” I whirl around and stride out the door.

13

The door slams and the sound reverberates, intensifying the nasty headache I suddenly have. I jerk my blood-spotted tie off and clean up the mess.

“The woman is certifiable,” I grunt.

“Can you think of any reason that might have to do with it?” I glance over to Maisyn standing by the door.

“Not the point. She needs to stay away from me.”