Yanked my shirt over my head. Bra next. Jeans, underwear, everything in a pile on the floor. Xavier sat on the closed toilet, absolutely still, but there was no time to be shy about any of this.
Stepped under the hot spray, heat searing my skin. Not from embarrassment, but from the weight of his gaze.
Steam started rising. My pulse raced for reasons that had nothing to do with the police about to knock.
Xavier hadn’t looked away, while I was doing everything to not gaze in his direction.
Knock at the entrance.
“J’arrive!” Called toward it. One moment. Shut off the water, grabbed the towel. Wrapped it around myself, barely covering anything.
Hair dripped down my back, I made sure to let the water running and leave the bathroom ajar. Goosebumps erupted across my arms, my legs. The apartment was freezing. The space heater did nothing against the cold rushing in from every gap in the walls.
One more knock. Impatient now.
I smiled and opened up.
The detective stood in the hallway, notepad in possession. Middle-aged, weathered face, awareness that missed nothing. His gaze flicked down to the towel, back up to my face.
Discomfort crossed his expression. Good.
“Yes?” Let my teeth chatter. Not hard, my skin was already ice. “Can I help you?”
“Inspecteur Morneau.” Gruff voice, heavy accent. “Police nationale. We are search for a suspect. Dangerous man, escape from custody.”
“In my building?” Widened. Innocent. Concerned.
“The area. We search all apartment.” Trying not to look at my body, failing. “You are alone here, mademoiselle?”
“Yes.” Shivered. The cold bit through the thin towel. Water turned to ice on my skin. “Just me.”
“You have see anyone? Strange man, maybe injured? In last days?”
“No. I work nights. Sleep during the day. Haven’t seen anyone.”
His gaze caught on my temple. The bruise from when I’d collapsed, yellow-green now but still visible.
“You are hurt.”
Shit.
“Slipped. Ice outside. Two days ago.” Shrugged, tried for sheepish. “Embarrassing. I’m a nurse. Should know better.”
“A nurse.” Something shifted in his expression. Interest. “Where you work?”
“Clinic Sainte-Marie, a few blocks from here.”
“Difficult work.”
“It’s a job.” Another shiver. Genuine. My lips were going numb. “Look, I’m freezing. Can this wait? I just got out of the shower...”
“I must look inside.” Not a question. Statement.
Heart stopped.
“Why? I told you, I haven’t seen anyone.”
“Procedure. All apartment, we search.” He stepped forward.
