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“Your money.”

“No, we agreed on the terms. It’s yours.”

She looked at their entwined fingers. For someone who didn’t approve of mixing business with pleasure, he sure was blurring the lines.

“You’ve got your nano-med patch wonky on your head,” Avel said. “Mind if I take a look?”

“Oh, sure. I thought it was still aching.” She dropped Avel’s hands as he shifted closer.

He gently eased the nano-med patch off her sore head.

Holly winced as he adjusted it. Immediately, the pressure in her head felt better. She sighed as the ache eased.

“Is there anywhere else you’ve been hurt?” Avel asked.

“My arm and back really ache,” she said. “I took some pain pills, and they helped a bit, but I must have slammed into my seat when we hit the ground.”

“Let me take a look.”

Holly swallowed and shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure it’s nothing. Bad bruising, that’s all.”

“I can see you’re in discomfort. I have numbing gel in the medical kit. I can put it on your back. It will deal with the symptoms until we get out of here.”

Holly’s hand went to her zipper, and she tugged it to her neck. She couldn’t reveal her body to Avel.

He caught hold of her hand. “You need treatment, Holly. We could be here for at least another twenty-four hours. You’ll be in agony if you don’t get your injuries looked at. I promise all I’m going to do is take a look and make you as comfortable as possible.”

Her breath came out shaky as she nodded. “Start with my arm.” That felt safe. She could handle Avel looking at her arm.

“Sure, no problem.” He waited patiently, his calm gaze on her as Holly inched down the zipper.

She looked away from him, her cheeks burning. She could do this. He was helping her. There was nothing sexual about this. Avel wouldn’t pass judgment.

Holly eased her arm out of the jumpsuit and clutched the fabric against her chest.

Avel hissed out a breath, his attention on her arm.

She glanced at her arm and saw it was red and swollen. “I thought it was just a bruise.”

“There might be tissue damage. Torn muscles.” His warm fingers caught hold of her arm, and he lifted it gently. “Does that hurt?”

“It feels really tender.”

Avel studied the skin for a few seconds, gently touching different parts. “The gel will help. Let me know if it begins to feel worse. I might have to strap it. Where’s the medical kit?”

“Under my seat.” Holly swallowed and gritted her teeth as Avel applied the cold gel to her arm, his fingers stroking it into her skin. After a moment, the gel had an effect, and the throbbing ache in her arm eased.

“How’s that?”

“Better, it already feels much better.”

“Good. Now your back.” Avel’s gaze met hers. “Turn away and lean against the armrest, so I can get a good look.”

Holly hesitated, her nerves jangling.

“Hey, you’re hurt, and I need to help you. Let me help. I want to.”

She nodded and turned away as she eased both arms out of her jumpsuit and slid it to her waist. Holly felt vulnerable and exposed. Avel would see her curves. He would see what a mess she was. How unlovable her body was.