“Did that hurt?” he asked.
“No. I’m fine. I don’t know why my arm jerked like that.”
But I did know. Sort of. His touch. It was like a warmth that turned liquid and went through me all the way to my toes. Pleasurable. Also shocking because I didn’t feel things like that. Not with anyone.
Sure, Tane was handsome, but I couldn’t be attracted to him. Could I? Be honest, I told myself. Of course I could. He was older, but he was my type. I’d been feeling it. Thinking it. Lying to myself wasn’t going to work.
When the cut was revealed, it didn’t look as bad as I thought it would.
“Looks all right. Not infected,” Tane said, his quiet voice making something in my chest simmer. “Hold it still and I’ll get a new bandage.”
The cold countertop pressed against the back of my hand as Tane rummaged through a couple of drawers. When he returned with more bandages and salve, taking my hand in his palm again, I wanted to melt against him.
Startled at my own bold vulnerability, my body jerked again.
“It does hurt you, doesn’t it?” Tane asked.
“No. I’m just not used to—to, um, this.”
“This?”
I looked down, eyes almost closing. “Fussing.”
“Am I fussing?” His tone rose.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Kirion, I take injury to anyone in my household seriously.”
“Thank you. I mean, thank you for everything. Really. I meant by the word fussing that back home no one cared. Not really.”
“I see.” His voice lowered again. His hand beneath mine moved slightly, making me hold my breath.
“The fact that you even act like you care is unusual to me,” I admitted.
He sighed while gently smoothing more cream around the wound. “This situation is not ideal. And I’m not acting. I do care, Kirion. I want to do what I can to make life easier for you now.”
“But—but why?”
“I acted on impulse. But after I brought you home, I did some reading on set omega law and decided I don’t agree with it. You being here has made me think more. I didn’t do right when I went to Rohan’s to see you, to bid on you.”
“So this is you trying to make up for your own actions? Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to bother.” I started to take my hand away before he could re-bandage it.
“You misunderstand,” he began, following my hand with his. “Here, let me finish.”
I stood still, confused by my feelings. I liked him. I also liked it that he felt guilty about buying me. It made me all warm inside. So why was I being grumpy?
He was gentle as he wrapped my hand again. I had time to think about my behavior. But I wasn’t good at being objective about myself. I had some life experience, but I’d also been spoiled and sheltered. I didn’t understand when people were being truthful. I had yet to learn much about trust.
It was a general insight I could ponder later. At the very least, I guessed I had good instincts.
When Tane let me go, I didn’t know what to do next. One minute I was grumpy and the next I wanted more attention. Itwould have been nice to talk to him. Hang out. But I didn’t know how to initiate that. Or if he would want that.
Chickening out, I said, “Thank you,” and walked out of the bathroom. I headed to my room. Tane didn’t follow.
As was becoming my habit, I sped past the second-floor landing while trying to be as silent as possible. Avoiding Malin was a priority. Luckily, he wasn’t around. Not for dinner and not now. He was leaving tonight so maybe he was preoccupied with packing and arrangements.
I practically ran to my room on the third floor.
