“I’ll go get coffee,” he said abruptly, turning away and brushing past her.There it was again—that sense of a wall going up, a door slamming shut.“You want breakfast here or in the caf?We’re due at class at 0800.”
“The cafeteria, probably, I want to stop by the infirmary and… Justin, will you look at me?What did I do?”
He stopped, his shoulders coming up again.“You didn’t do anything, Rowan.I’m just upset, that’s all.”
“Justin—”
“It’s not you,” he said again, taking another step toward the door.
“Justin.”Rowan used the same tone she would have on a balking patient refusing to take his medication—firm and clear.“What’s wrong?You can tell me.”
“I’ve made a decision,” he said, staring at the door.
What does that mean?She folded her arms.“Will you look at me, please?”
He turned, reluctantly.His eyes were dark and haunted, and Rowan’s heart leapt into her throat.This was the most emotion she’d ever seen from him—except for when she’dtouchedhim.
She took three quick steps, raising her hand, but he caught her wrist.Goosebumps slid down her back.
“No,” he said.
“I want to help you.”
“I’m not injured.”His eyes were, though—raw, open wells of pain.His mouth was drawn too tightly, betraying nothing.He was taller than her, and muscle moved under his skin.She’d seen just how lethally quick he could be.
They’re all afraid of him.But I just can’t be.
“Please,” she said, softly.“Let me.”
“It’s okay.”Something crossed his face swiftly, like a snarl.Rowan didn’t move, didn’t flinch—she was used to this.He wasn’t going to hurt her.“Save it for the patients, I’ll be fine.”
“But—”
He looked at her hand, her wrist caught in his fingers, as if he was trying to figure out how it got there.“I’ll befine.Don’t worry about me.I just decided what I’m going to do, that’s all.”
Rowan’s heart began to pound.“What does that mean?”
“Just relax, okay?”He let go of her wrist, and her hand dropped uselessly down to her side.“I’ll be back in a minute with some coffee.If you want to go to class, you should get ready.There’s a trip into town scheduled for tomorrow, too, if you want to go with Cath.”
“I have to get?—”
He was gone out the door before she could finish the sentence.
Well, that was weird.No weirder than anything else, lately, I suppose…but still.Why did he touch me like that?Like he was trying not to hurt me.She rubbed at her wrist, even though he hadn’t hurt her.He’d been exquisitely gentle, the way he always was whenever he touched her.
Rowan’s hand flew to her mouth.
No.It wasn’t possible.But…
You just stop that silliness.Go take a shower and get ready for these classes.You’ve got work to do, and the sooner the better.
But all through her morning ritual, even though she scolded herself, dropped the shampoo and nearly killed herself slipping on some soap, she felt his fingers on her wrist and smelled his after-shave.And oddly enough, that made her heart race every time.Even when she started yanking the tangles free of her hair and banged her hip into the sink when she heard a slight noise and thought perhaps he’d come back.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
“Headquarters”was a complex of brownstone buildings, and the cafeteria was in another building.Rowan could have used the underground transport system to get there, but she liked being out in the open.It was a sunny day, even if the wind was knife-edged with the promise of snow.So she walked across the landscaped quad and into the east building, shivering and carrying the folder Justin had suggested she bring.In it were blank notebook paper, two pens, and a sharpened No.2 pencil.
It was just like the first day of school.
