I swung a look around him, and my hair hung off to one side as I held his mocking gaze. "Sarcasm."
He tapped my nose. "Now you're getting it."
I rolled my eyes and shifted to study the sting on his neck. I picked the stinger remnants away with my fingernail and smeared it with salve. "I'll be speaking sardonic doctor in no time."
"I can't wait," he replied with a laugh in his voice.
"I think you might be serious that time." I moved around him so I could face him and get the stings along his front, and he scooted his chair away from the table to give me room. My dress brushed his wet pantleg, and I realized I was standing between his legs. And he was staring up at me, unabashed and… curious? I tried to ignore him, smoothing my fingers over the three stings on his hard chest. He jumped, sucking in a breath. I pulled my hand back quickly, worried I'd hurt him. "I'm sorry."
His throat bobbed, but his attention on my face didn't waver. "It didn't hurt." I stared. He lifted his eyebrows. A pot clattered behind us, and I realized I'd been openly ogling him. Again. I had to stop doing that.
I exhaled briskly, picking up one of his injured arms and running my fingers over a welt carefully. "Does this feel okay?"
Benjamin didn't answer right away, and I had to look up again to make sure he'd heard me. He had. His focus was onme, and a mixture of confusion and curiosity played across his handsome features. "It does," he said finally.
My fingers faltered for a moment, and I lingered, lost in his electric blue eyes. If I didn't know better, I might read into that statement too much. But, I decided, looking down again, I didn't know better. In fact, it felt like I knew nothing at all.
Chapter Seven
EVIE
I tried to be as efficient as possible at treating the rest of his stings, only touching him when necessary and studiously ignoring how…ripplyhe was. Nan brought over jasmine tea, and as she took her seat and Benjamin gratefully accepted a warm mug, Nan fixed us both with the full power of her curiosity. "As entertaining as the mystery is, what on earth is happening here?"
I didn't want to worry Nan, but I couldn't have strangers coming and going from the property without letting her know. And heaven forbid something dangerous happened here. She had to know some of it. I traced a flower on my pea green, chipped mug, thinking of the best way to word it while Benjamin watched me over the rim of his cup. Finally, I said, "Benjamin is my bodyguard."
Benjamin didn't so much as twitch, but Nan looked aghast. "Why do you need a bodyguard?"
"It's nothing serious," I assured her. Benjamin blinked slowly, sardonically. I ignored him, focusing on Nan's crinkled expression. "There's a company that sent me a weird email—something about me helping Dr. Wells with his research," I liedon the fly. "He's worried about my safety, so he sent his friend, Dr. Frost, to stay nearby." I glanced at the doctor in question, finding a sharp, calculating glare from him. "At least, for now. We might adjust as needed."
"Adjust," Nan echoed, clearly dumbfounded.
Frost shook his head, ever so subtly, but then he put down his mug and faced my grandmother confidently. "We have every reason to believe the danger is minor. We're just being cautious."
"So, the half-naked skinny dipping…" Nan supplied.
"Is an unfortunate coincidence," Benjamin finished firmly. "It wasn't my most graceful introduction. Although, no offense, that kind of bedlam does seem to be the norm around here."
"True enough," Nan agreed with ready self-awareness.
"He won't get in the way," I promised.
Benjamin pursed his lips. Nan patted his hand. "You can get in my way anytime."
I rubbed my eyes. "Nan."
Benjamin didn't seem at all ruffled. "Thank you. Evie hasn't decided she likes me yet."
"Nonsense," Nan replied dismissively, taking a sip of her tea. "She practically ate you with her eyes."
I choked on my tea, coughing and gasping out a horrified, "Nan!"
Benjamin smirked like a bear with a paw full of honey. "I like you, Nan."
She winked at him, and I sighed in exasperation, standing. I knew my face was redder than a bee sting welt, and my only hope at this point was a hasty retreat. "We should go."
"So soon?" Nan demurred, patting her curls innocently.
Troublemakers, all of them. Benjamin thanked her again for the tea and sting treatment, and I promised her I would come by and check on Tessa's online homeschool work later. On our way out the door, Benjamin grabbed his wet clothing and shoes, andhe didn't bother putting them back on as we made our way down the gravel path back to the house.
