Page 45

Avel said nothing as he stroked more gel over her hot, tender flesh.

A sigh of relief shot from her lips as the ache eased.

“How are you doing?” he asked quietly.

“It’s helping. Thanks.”

His fingers went lower, going to the base of her spine, and she stiffened.

“I can’t believe how lucky you are,” Avel said. “You could have been paralyzed by the impact when we crashed. If your spine had shattered...” His words trailed off as his fingers kept massaging her pain away.

“You said you’d look out for me, and I believed you.”

His hand stopped moving and rested against her back, his warmth melting into her skin. “Of course I will. We’re looking out for each other. You know, the easy option for you was not to have helped me when I passed out.”

Holly’s head jerked up, and she twisted to look at him. “Why would I do that?”

“Because you’re angry at me. Because I got us into this mess. I hid things from you. You’re right to be wary around me.”

“Maybe so, but I wouldn’t leave you when you’re injured.” Holly shook her head. “Who does that?”

Avel snorted a laugh. “People. Everyone. And you missed a chance to make a deal with me. You could have used my injuries against me and blackmailed me into getting you out of your debt.”

Holly pulled her jumpsuit back on and zipped it up before turning to face Avel. “That’s terrible. I would never make a deal like that. Your life in exchange for freedom from debt. What sort of person do you think I am?”

Avel shrugged. “Most people would try to make some kind of deal. Why are you so different? You had a chance to negotiate a better deal for yourself. You let it pass you by.”

Anger flared through Holly. It was partly the way Avel talked so casually about his life being worth so little but also that he’d think she’d do anything like that. “You must have dealt with some nasty individuals in your time.”

He grunted. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Holly lifted her chin. If he wanted to play this game, she’d challenge him right back. “You could just as easily have blackmailed me into paying back more money or giving you something else you want.”

Avel arched a brow. “How do you figure that?”

“You could have threatened not to fix the problem with the oxygen.”

“And kill us both? No one wins then.”

“Or not treated my wounds. Abandoned me even. There’s a space suit in the back. Why not leave me here and head out on your own?”

Avel bared his teeth. “I’d never leave you injured.”

“But you might abandon me?”

“Anything’s possible if you keep talking like that.” His gaze slid to her, and he smirked. “What treats would you have traded if I had decided to indulge in a little blackmail?”

Holly felt heat rise up her neck and onto her cheeks. “I have nothing I’d trade with you.”

Avel shifted in his seat, his arm muscles tensing. “You really think you have nothing I want?”

She wished he wouldn’t tease her. It wasn’t fair.

“If you’re open to a deal, we can come to some arrangement.” He reached out and traced a finger along her palm. “What you’ve got, a lot of guys would pay for.”

Holly’s insides shook. He wasn’t going to embarrass her. “You mean my food?”

“I am hungry, but it’s not your food I’m thinking about eating.”