Page 54 of Three for a Girl

“Well … yeah.”

Carter snorted. “I’m fine. The Jaguar’s got a good safety rating, eight air bags, and not one went off.”

Chad hadn’t even realized it was a Jaguar, he glanced at the trunk again, noticing the silver cat. The car reg told him it was brand new, and thanks to Chad, decorated with scratches down the sides.

“I was going walking pace when I tipped into the ditch. No harm done.”

“No harm—I could’ve killed you!” Chad took a step away, clutching the back of his neck. “I could’ve killed you.”

His eyes burned, and he curled his nails into the flesh at the back of his neck. He hadn’t slept in close to forty-eight hours, was tired, stressed.

What the hell had he been thinking?

Carter tilted his head, studying Chad.

“Any shoulder pain?”

“Huh?”

“Does your shoulder hurt?”

“No.”

Carter stepped forward. “Neck pain?”

“I’m fine.”

“Humor me.”

“What?”

Carter chuckled softly. “I think you’re in shock, detective.”

A hot tear landed on Chad’s cheek, he swiped it away. “I’m not.” He looked down at himself, his cotton pajama bottoms and a white sheer t shirt. He hadn’t even put on shoes.

Carter glanced at Chad’s naked feet. “You okay, Detective Fuller?”

“Call me Chad.”

“Okay, Chad.”

He slumped against the trunk of Carter’s car, leaning close to the warning lights. He blinked through the haze of red, trying to calm his rampant heart.

Stupid, how had he been so stupid.

“You’re a doctor.”

“Yes, I am.”

“I almost killed you.”

Carter sighed, shuffling closer. “You’re rubbing the back of your neck hard, Chad, are you sure it doesn’t hurt?”

Chad looked at him, his hand hovering, wanting to touch Chad’s neck, test it with his fingers. He hurried out of his reach. The thought of Carter’s hand on him—no, only Romeo could touch.

“I’m not gonna hurt you.”

“I don’t want you to touch me.”

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