“Emma said you’d say that, which was when I volunteered to make sure you were okay.”
“Look, no blood.” Cassie held out her hands. If Hone touched her, she feared she’d lapse, give in to impulse during a weak moment.
“I saw the pain on your face as you stood. You winced when I hugged you. You seem coherent and you’re right about the blood. I can’t see any.” His gaze drifted to her, perused her face, swept down her neck and lingered at her breasts. He returned his attention to the road. “I bet you’re bruised from the seatbelt. You’ll be sore for a few days.”
“I concur. Nothing a hot bath or an ice pack won’t cure.”
“Being a medically trained type, I have ice packs in my freezer, and I have a spa pool on the deck. Once you’ve given up the battle to paint, we’ll stop by the motel to grab your swimsuit and go to my place. You can soak for a while.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t suggest going straight to your place and not worrying about the swimsuit,” she said tartly.
He beamed approval. “That would work too, but I didn’t want to rush things.”
“What things?” Cassie winced at the snap in her tone. She’d dreamed of both Hone and Manu during the night, pondered stripping them naked. Guilty heat collected in her cheeks again as she recalled her X-rated fantasies. Both men, for goodness sake! Thankfully, not at the same time because that would’ve been weird. Time to steer the conversation into other channels. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. I thought you had work to do.”
“I have the job I mentioned, then a break before the next job at two. I’ll install the alarm for you and drop you at my place so you can soak in the hot tub.”
Cassie swallowed. “Thank you. You and your family have been kind to me.”
“You’re Emma’s friend.” Hone pulled up in her driveway. “I’ll unload the paint for you, then be off after I check your bruising.”
Cassie slumped in the seat on hearing his determination. Emma had warned her about Hone and his cousins. None of them wanted anything permanent. Her lusty dreams had to cease. As did the neediness to have the same love and happiness as Emma. Big girl panties along with a dose of reality. She sucked in a breath to shore up her restraint. “Fine. Let’s get this done.”
