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Damn near killed him.

He stood. “Okay, your knees are done. Let me see your back where you hit the car.”

She just stared at him, then she opened her mouth.

“And I know you’re not going to argue with me because you know how futile that will be.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“Yep,” he agreed. “More stubborn than you are.”

“Not going to get an argument from me about that.”

“Oh, so there’s something you won’t argue with me about?” he teased as he lowered her to the floor and turned her to face the bathroom counter.

“I never argue.”

He snorted. “Could have fooled me.”

“I don’t.” Her voice had a childish note to it.

“Darling, you’re not exactly doing a good job of proving your point right now.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah. Guess you could more truthfully say I don’t argue with anyone but you.”

He had her top up, and was hoping their conversation would keep her attention directed away from the fact that he could see a large expanse of her creamy skin. Jesus, the urge to lay kisses along her back, down over what he knew had to be a perfect ass was nearly irresistible.

He took a deep breath then examined at the angry red mark that started on her back and wrapped around her ribs.

Shit.

“Why is that do you suppose?” he asked in a low voice as he gently prodded at her ribs, hoping like hell she hadn’t damaged them badly. What had he been doing lifting her up and moving her around when he knew she was injured?

His rational side was pointing out that if her ribs were that badly damaged, she would have been showing some sign of favoring them. And she certainly would have reacted when he first picked her up. But right now, he wasn’t interested in listening to his rational side.

She winced and he paused. “Sore there?”

“A little.”

Hmm. He wondered what exactly ‘a little’ meant. He had a feeling she was used to hiding her true feelings.

“Should have taken you to the hospital to get checked out.”

She tensed. “Ahh, no you shouldn’t have. It’s a bruise and some scrapes. I’m fine.” She tugged at her top. He let her right her pajamas as he put everything away. When he stood, she had her arms crossed over her chest, gazing at him nervously.

Time for him to back off. She’d reached the limit of her endurance.

“All right, sweetheart. I’m going to go now. One of my boys will bring your car to you in the morning, what time do you leave for work?”

“Quarter to six. Are you sure that’s not too early?” she asked anxiously.

“It’s fine. You wake up and you’re too sore or tired I want you to call in sick, okay?”

He could tell by the stubborn look on her face that she wouldn’t be doing that. His hands itched to land a few smacks on her ass. Not that he would even if he had the right, with her injured and exhausted. Of course, if she were his, then he’d make damn sure she would stay in bed until those dark circles under her eyes disappeared and there was a spring back in her step.

“All right, sweet girl.” He pulled her close, laying a kiss on her forehead. “Walk me to the door.”

She nodded, staring up at him in surprise. He ignored the voice whispering at him to give her a real kiss.