She would have squinted right back if the action wouldn’t have split her skull in two.“No.I’m fine other than a mild concussion.I just need my bed.”
The paramedic gave her a packet of Advil.“Take these right away and every six hours as needed.”
She forced out a thank-you as he climbed out of the vehicle, not bothering to mention she’d use her own home remedies.
“You should go to the hospital,” Aiden said gently, his tone chastising.
She tugged on the ends of her blanket.“Why?It’s not like I’ll get any rest there.Besides, I’ve been hurt worse.”She shifted on the hard metal, her butt craving the comfort of her couch.Once the dizziness passed, she’d be on her way.Although the buzzing inside her ears and the pounding across her forehead showed no signs of leaving.“Did you catch a glimpse of the guy?”
Aiden’s mouth turned hard, the mention of her attacker visibly changing his mood.“I was hoping you’d have caught more.When I got on the scene no one was around—or if they were they were hidden well.”
“I’m sorry.All I remember was they were tall and the clothing felt thick and bulky.”She’d already told Aiden everything, and given her statement, but she couldn’t help the annoyance at herself for not being able to give the police something more.
“Don’t sweat it.Most people have a hard time accurately remembering their attackers.”
She swallowed and nodded.“I should have listened to my intuition.I felt someone was there when I left the shop.”God, she sounded pathetic.
He guffawed.“I wish I’d gotten there sooner.Then maybe I would’ve caught them.”His green eyes focused on her, as gentle as a hug, which she so desperately craved.“I’ll give you a ride.Think you can stand?”
“I’d walk over broken glass to get to my bed right now,” she said, as she dropped her feet to the ground.
Aiden’s hand cupped her elbow, but instead of laughing he frowned.“I don’t think you should go home.Clearly someone has an axe to grind with you.”
She slumped her shoulders forward.Josie had offered up her home, but it was now after 10:00 p.m.and besides, she wanted her own house.Her own things.Her own bed.
“My attacker was sprayed even worse than I was.If he’s feeling even half as bad as I do right now, I don’t think he’s coming after me tonight.”
Dropping the blanket on the spot she’d vacated in the ambulance, she scooped up her purse and flung it over her shoulder.The movement made the parking lot spin around her.
Aiden’s hand tightened on her bicep.A pleasant tingling sensation spread from her arm throughout the rest of her body.She knew all too well what those hands were capable of.Knew the orgasms they—along with his mouth and the generous soldier below his belt—brought.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“You okay?”
She cleared the thickness from her throat.“Fine.Just a bit dizzy.”
“See?And what if you get dizzy at home?”
“I plan to sleep for the next twenty-four hours, so that’s not an issue.”
He grunted but led her to his car.If they didn’t find her attacker after tonight, she’d arrange for somewhere to stay tomorrow.She’d believed what she said—right now, it was unlikely someone would come after her after everything that had happened.Way too risky.
Aiden opened the passenger door of his silver Mustang and she dropped into the seat.Her muscles screamed as she tucked her legs inside.She needed a hot bath.
He rounded the car and lowered into the driver’s seat.His stacked frame filled the interior, making their arms touch on the console.“Where to?”he asked.
She gave him her address and clicked her seatbelt into place.She blinked against the stinging in her eyes.The paramedic had flushed them for her, but the swelling remained, making her eyes water.
“I really think you should stay somewhere else.A hotel even.”
She rested her head on the seat back and turned to look at him.His unshaven jaw appeared ready for a razer, but the sight of the scruff brought her back to Saturday night and the sensation of the slight abrasion on her skin.There was something uber sexy about kissing a man with just a bit of stubble on his face.
“I appreciate your concern.I’m sure the person is icing their eyes right now.”
“You can’t rely on that.”
She brought her fingers to her temple.The flicking of the headlights that passed as Aiden drove down Main Street made the blood vessels in Dez’s head cry.“I am for tonight.”Her tone held finality, and stating the words took almost the last of her resolve.
