Page 20 of Pleasure Games

“Don’t you wear a helmet?”

“Of course. Helmets have saved my life. But you can still get a concussion with a helmet.”

She tilted her head as she gazed at him. Her brows drew together as if a thought—or a memory—had just come to her.

“What is the last thing you remember?”

Jasmine plucked a piece of cheese from the plate. She had nice hands, her fingers slim and delicate, her nails painted a neutral color.

“I remember flying to Paris. This was supposed to be—” She glanced up. “A girl’s trip with my best friend, but she’s expecting a baby—unexpectedly—and...”

Luca waited silently for Jasmine to continue.

“Anyway, I decided to come by myself.”

“Sometimes traveling alone is the best way.” Luca had enjoyed a few trips to Greece on his own. Just to get away from...everything.

Jasmine took a sip of water. And then another. She had one more before finishing. “Anyway, I drank a lot on the flight. And...” She massaged her neck. “I may have drunk a lot in the twenty-four hours before that.” She glanced his way. “Not sure I ate a whole lot during that time.” She rolled her shoulders and sighed. “I also haven’t slept very much. So it’s possible my head injury was simply a result of me passing out from exhaustion, hunger or the world’s worst hangover. Likely a combination of all three.”

“It is possible,” he said slowly. “But by the look of the bruise, it was probably more than that.” What was wrong with him? Why didn’t he simply agree with her, put her to bed and get rid of her in the morning?

Jasmine shrugged. “Maybe. Which would explain my missing bag. And shoes.” Her frown deepened. “Shit. What am I going to do?”

“You will have to go to the embassy. Apply for an emergency passport.”

“How can I do that when I don’t have any identification?”

“What about in your hotel room? Is there anything there? A copy of your passport? Other ID?”

The woman narrowed her eyes as she thought and then slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so. Maybe. But...” She laughed awkwardly. “I don’t even know where my hotel is.”

Luca stood. This conversation wasn’t helping. “You said you didn’t sleep much.”

She nodded.

“You should get some rest. Sleep is important.”

“Let me help clean up, first.”

“Non, merci.”He indicated the hall. “There is a new toothbrush in the drawer in the bathroom. Please.”

“Okay.” Jasmine stood and Luca could see that her balance was off because she grabbed the countertop. After a pause and a couple of breaths she made her way down the hall to the bathroom, shutting the door this time.

Damn.

No, not damn. What was he thinking?

When he heard the door open a few minutes later, Luca called, “Jasmine?”

“Yes?”

“I will be waking you up throughout the night. To check on you. Please, don’t be alarmed.”

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