Page 11 of Fox in Plain Sight

Michelle dropped her keys onto the side table in the short hallway from which one door led to the bathroom and the other to the bedroom. Ahead of her, an arch led into the living room with an adjacent tiny kitchen. It wasn’t much, but at least she had privacy here.

“Nice place,” Nick commented and followed her into the living room.

“Take a seat. And take off your shirt,” she demanded and marched into the kitchen.

The door between living room and kitchen had long been removed because of lack of space. She opened the freezer and rummaged through it, finally finding a bag of frozen peas. It would have to do. She snatched a clean dish towel from a drawer and turned back to the living room only to slam to a halt.

Nick stood in the door frame, his chest bare and glistening. He was even better built than she’d suspected the day she’d first met him. In fact, he was positively ripped. Her mouth started watering at the sight of his six-pack-abs and the well-defined pectorals that seemed to twitch.

The only sound she managed to produce from her dry throat was “Uh.” Great, she was turning into a drooling teenager. How pathetic.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” The deep timbre of his voice bounced off the walls of the tiny kitchen.

In the small room he looked even more imposing, even more attractive, more tempting.

“Is that the ice?”

He motioned to the bag of peas, prompting her to spring back into action.

“Yes, yes. Sorry, I don’t have real ice cubes, but this’ll do the trick.” She turned sideways. “Why don’t you sit down here then, and I’ll look at you.” Not that she wasn’t already looking at him. Or better yet, ogling him.

He squeezed past her to the single barstool next to the miniscule breakfast counter that was just big enough for one person. Awkwardly, she turned to try to avoid brushing against him, but it happened nevertheless.

A bolt of adrenaline shot through her at the unexpected contact. The accompanying heat wave scorched her from the inside, adding to the stifling temperature in her top-floor apartment. Right now, she wished for air conditioning, though she wasn’t sure it would help cool her body down.

Nick took a seat on the barstool and turned toward her. She placed the bag of frozen peas on the counter and reached for his arm.

“I’m just gonna touch your arm lightly to see if it’s broken, okay?”

He only nodded, but remained silent. Michelle felt his eyes on her and tried to remain calm. It was only natural that he was watching what she was doing, she told herself. In his situation, she would do the same. It didn’t mean that he was checking her out. Besides, he was probably in pain, and not even men had romantic feelings when in pain, right?

Slowly, she ran her hands over his arm. His forearm felt fine, and when she squeezed hesitantly, he didn’t protest. When she reached his elbow, she tested his range of motion, and again, nothing struck her as odd.

“All good,” he commented.

She brushed her hand over his upper arm and applied a little bit of pressure. Instantly, Nick jerked back and groaned.

“Sorry.” She caught his gaze. “I need to check a little more.”

“Mmm-hmm.” His eyes were unreadable. Had they turned darker?

The warmth of Nick’s skin made her fingers tingle. She took a steadying breath, hoping he didn’t notice how touching him affected her. Hell, she was no blushing virgin! He wasn’t the first man she’d touched. He wouldn’t be the last either. Though it had been a while since she’d been with somebody. Maybe too long. Perhaps that was the reason why touching him got her all flustered.

Pulling herself together, she continued examining his arm. Even though he hissed when she squeezed his bicep, she didn’t think his arm was broken.

“I think it’s just bruised. It’ll probably turn blue in a day or two.” She exchanged a look with him.

“Just as I thought. Thanks.”

“Hold on,” she said. “How about your ribs?” She pointed to his side. “You crashed against the newspaper rack quite hard. Lift your arm.”

Nick followed her command and she placed her hand over his side, pressing lightly.

He shrank back. “Okay, that’s enough playing doctor for one day,” he said lightly, though his facial expression told her that he’d gotten bruised there, too.

Michelle tilted her head. “And there I was having so much fun,” she said sarcastically. She sighed. “Honestly, men.”

She grabbed the bag of peas and placed it over his upper arm. “Hold this.”