Page 61 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

Smith met my mock glare. Reaching behind him, he pulled the knife from his back pocket and twirled it between his fingers until the hilt faced me. I grasped it, but he held on a second longer. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he finally relinquished it.

“Thank you, sir.”

He dipped his chin, then turned back to the pork chops searing in the pan. A comfortable silence stretched between us as we worked, then sat down to eat. It was far better than anything I could make, and I felt a zing of jealousy as I speared it onto my fork and took a huge bite. “This is good. Thank you.”

He gave a customary nod before shoveling a giant bite into his mouth. Once we’d finished dinner, I eyed Smith. “Would you like to take a shower?”

He nodded gratefully, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Why don’t you go do that while I clean up here?”

His brows drew together in silent protest, and I waved him away. “You cooked, I’ll clean. Let me know when you’re done and I’ll change your bandages. There’s shampoo and soap, but if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

He lifted his hand to his face and made a scraping motion over his beard. It took my mind a moment to make the connection. “Oh! A razor. Of course.”

I set the plates in the sink, then led the way to the bathroom. I found new razor beneath the sink and passed it his way. “Sorry, all I have is pink. I’d have bought a different color had I known you were coming.”

His mouth twitched again, though his expression never changed. He bowed his head, and I left the room, closing the door behind me. A smile tugged at my lips as I made the short walk back to the kitchen. How strange that I could interpret his response just by reading his expression.

As odd as it was, it felt entirely normal to communicate with him like this. I wondered if he knew sign language. Not that I would be any help in that arena. My knowledge of ASL extended to a few letters of the alphabet and phrases I’d learned in school. Though I’d asked multiple times, he refused each offer to communicate using my phone. I mentally shrugged. If it didn’t bother him, it shouldn’t bother me.

I took my time washing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, a million thoughts parading through my mind. Where had Smith come from? And was there a woman waiting on him somewhere? Not that it was any of my business. Shaking my head, I ruthlessly tamped down down the strange surge of jealousy that lanced through me, sending my stomach tumbling.

A soft noise from behind me drew my attention, and I glanced over my shoulder. My heart flipped and my mouth immediately went dry at the sight before me. Smith stood in the doorway of the kitchen, a towel wrapped around his lean waist. Droplets of water glistened on his broad chest and in his inky black hair, shining like diamonds.

Though I’d seen him nude, this was somehow different. And as glorious as his torso was, that wasn’t what caused my pulse to thrum wildly in my veins. He’d shaved away his beard, revealing the most gorgeous face I’d ever seen.

His jaw was strong and angular, and a tiny dimple dotted his chin. My legs went rubbery, and I felt dangerously close to swooning. I swallowed hard and forced my brain to focus. “Are you ready for me?”

One dark brow lifted ever so slightly, and heat raced up my neck and into my cheeks. “To take care of you, I mean.”

Oh, God. That didn’t sound any better. “Not take care of you. You’re not a toddler. I just meant, to... to clean your wounds.”

I pressed my hands together, flustered. What the hell was wrong with me? I never got this tongue tied. “Why don’t you sit while I’ll get everything ready?”

Spinning toward the sink, I retrieved the medicine kit and took a moment to collect myself. This was out of control. Clearly I’d been single far too long if I was losing my mind over a half-naked man.

Granted, Smith was an incredibly gorgeous half-naked man, but still. He’d given no indication that he was interested in me at all. For all I knew, he had a girlfriend or a wife back home. Wherever that was.

Drawing in a deep breath, I pushed to my feet. Smith had been through enough. He didn’t need me fawning over him. I would help him just as I’d promised, because he deserved it.

Ten

RODRIGO

I liked the feel of her hands on me. Her fingers were soft, and her touch was gentle as she applied the antibiotic ointment and gauze to the wounds that covered my back. They still hurt, though I tried not to focus on it too much.

I tracked her progress as she worked her way across my back, cleaning and caring for each wound. Her light scent wrapped around me, teasing my nostrils and warming my blood. Lily intrigued the hell out of me. Though I’d had my share of affairs, I’d never been particularly close to a woman before. I’d certainly never spent so much time with one. It was... different.

I was used to caring for myself, trusting only myself and the men I worked with. I still wasn’t entirely sure I could trust Lily. She hadn’t given me a reason not to, but trust didn’t come easily to men like me. I’d seen firsthand how evil people could be. They put on a façade, portraying goodness when it was the furthest thing from the truth. I’d witnessed mothers sacrifice their children for drugs, money, and men.

Lily... I didn’t know what to think about her. Though I’d spent nearly every waking moment with her, she continued to surprise me. And I didn’t like what I didn’t understand. She was friendly and professional at work, yet she seemed to keep to herself. She hadn’t mentioned any close friends and rather than go out at night, she would knit while watching old reruns on TV. She seemed to be genuinely concerned for my welfare, even now caring for me to ensure my cuts didn’t become infected.

What I still couldn’t figure out was why. Was she working with Araña’s men, keeping me close and attempting to lower my guard until they could move in? I didn’t want to believe it of her, but listening to my gut had saved my life, and I couldn’t turn off a lifetime of training. I couldn’t help but be suspicious of everything and everyone. I’d vetted lovers carefully in the past, observing each to make sure I wouldn’t end up with a blade between my ribs.

Lily seemed too pure, too honest to do something so low. But it didn’t mean others weren’t out there, watching and waiting for the right time. The question was... was she aware?

“Almost done,” her sweet voice murmured near my ear.

Her hair brushed my shoulder as she leaned in closer, tenderly dabbing at a laceration along my triceps. The long strands were soft and silky, and I had the sudden urge to sift my fingers through them.

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