Page 31 of Striker’s Rebel

“You laughed.”

“I do that.”

“Apparently.”

“Careful, Rebel.”

“Or what?”

I move closer.

The smart answer dies on her lips when she has to tip her head back.

“Keep pushing.”

Color warms her cheeks.

Christ.

Then she glances past me.

“Come inside.”

I hold her eyes. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

That’s all I need.

I follow her through the door.

The window faces the mountains. Bathroom off to one side. Bed on the other.

Hard not to notice the bed when June is standing three feet from it with bare legs and sleep-mussed hair.

I shut that thought down before it gets ideas.

She closes the door behind me.

It’s a different kind of quiet now, with just the two of us behind a closed door.

“Let me see your arm.”

“You really are relentless.”

“Come here.”

She mutters something I’m probably better off not hearing, but she comes.

I reach for her sleeve and stop.

“Okay?”

Her eyes meet mine.

Then she nods.

“Okay.”