“I’m just a little tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“You should allow our doctors to check you. They are excellent at what they do.”

“I don’t need a doctor. Really. I just have a little bruising from the Taser darts and from the fall.”

The smile disappeared and a low grunt came from him. He appeared angry all of a sudden. “Who Tasered you? What fall?”

“Gregory Woods had his guard stun me and I hit the floor. I thought you’d know about that. I mean, I told Justice.”

“I haven’t spoken to him.” His gaze traveled down her body. “Where are you hurt?”

“My back. I was trying to escape out the front door when I was tagged with one of those electric dart guns. It’s really not bad.”

Smiley took a step closer, almost touching her. “Let me see.”

He smelled like soap and man. It stirred instant memories of the last time they’d been that close. She tilted her chin up to keep her gaze locked with his. He had really beautiful eyes and she felt lost in them. The sunlight coming in through the windows showed small swirls of darker brown in them. They were truly breathtaking.

“Let me see.” His voice was almost a whisper.

Vanni had to force her mind to work, reminding herself what he wanted to see. The attraction she felt for him made her a little befuddled. Images of them kissing and what they’d done in the SUV kept flashing through her mind, which made it difficult to focus on his words. “I’m okay. It’s just minor stuff. Really.”

“Vanni,” he rasped, “let me see.”

She forced her legs to move and retreated a step. “Um, it’s my shoulder blade.” Her hands opened against her thighs, the feel of the fabric there comforting. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t have anything on under this. I didn’t want to put on the only pair of panties I have until I can wash them.”

He glanced at her thighs and then back up. “I still want to see.”

She swallowed hard. “I’d be naked.”

“I don’t have a problem with that. I’d enjoy it.”

Whoa. He actually said that. She wasn’t used to men being so frank.

“I’ve seen you before.”

As if I need a reminder. More flashes of that night popped into her head. Smiley without his shirt after she’d torn it. Him leaning over her, his lips brushing kisses along her neck. Her nipples pebbled when she remembered him nipping her shoulder with his teeth. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest to cover them in hopes he wouldn’t notice.

“Um…” Her mind blanked.

He inched forward. “You’re blushing.”

She could feel the heat in her cheeks. “Um…” She retreated a step.

He advanced one, pacing her. “You’re shy.”

“Yes,” she got out.

“There’s no reason to be. It’s me. Take off the shirt and turn for me.”

Her lips parted but she wasn’t sure how to respond to that and didn’t want to sound like an idiot again. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “No.”

A pained look flashed in his eyes.

“I mean, I can’t take my shirt off. That’s, um, I barely know you.”

Smiley’s eyebrows rose.

“You know what I mean. We barely know each other. I mean, we do know each other but we were drugged. We aren’t now. I can’t just strip.”

He offered a hand. “Let’s go into the living room. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Vanni. We’ll sit and talk. I won’t ask again to see your injuries.”

She timidly reached out and put her trembling hand in his. It was as warm and big as she remembered. He gently closed his fingers around hers and turned, waiting for her to follow. She appreciated it when he moved slowly, mindful of her hesitant steps until they ended up next to the couch. He released her.

“Have a seat. Please.”

She sat, tugging the shirt hem down to cover her knees. Smiley didn’t take a seat next to her but surprised her by crouching and pushing the coffee toward one end of the couch. He faced her, dropped to his knees and sat back on his heels. His smile looked a little forced.

“Relax,” he urged. “We’ll just talk.”

“Why are you there? You can sit on the couch with me.”

“I’m better off here.”

“Why?”

He licked his lips. The slide of his tongue over them drew her attention and she focused on his mouth. “First off, thank you for not screaming when you discovered I’d let myself into your home. I was worried about you when you didn’t answer the door. I came in through a back window. I’ll fix the lock later.”

She stared into his eyes, unconcerned that he’d just admitted to breaking into the house. “It’s okay.” It really was. It was kind of sweet that he’d do something that drastic to make sure she was well.

“I have an important question but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable again. It has bothered me every waking moment since the other night. I need to ask.”

She braced for it. “Okay.”

“Did I hurt you, Vanni?” His gaze lowered to her lap and then lifted to stare directly at her. “Was the sex too rough?”

“I’m fine.” She hadn’t expected that and was glad she was seated.

“Really.” He frowned, studying her.

It was an awkward topic. He’d said it was important for him to know but she wasn’t about to admit she’d been a little sore the next day.

“You didn’t hurt me. I have a few bruises but it’s no big deal. You’re strong.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. They don’t hurt.”

“You passed out afterward and I feared I’d damaged you.”

“I think it was from being drugged. I told you I’m a chair jockey. It was…” She wasn’t sure how to explain it without humiliating herself.

“It was what?” He leaned in a little closer and flattened his hand on the couch next to her knee. “Please talk to me. Don’t allow your shyness to stop you from being blunt. There’s no need with me. You can tell me anything.”

“I don’t talk about sex with men,” Vanni admitted hesitantly. “I haven’t dated that many guys and they always tended not to appreciate a discussion about it.”

“I’m not them.” His voice deepened as he continued, “I welcome this conversation.”

She licked her lips and pushed herself to be more forward and forthcoming than normal. “I’m out of shape. I told you I don’t work out the way you do. That drug put me through the wringer, okay? I was sweating, then freezing and then we were touching.” Embarrassment forced her gaze to his chin at that point. “I think I was exhausted. That’s why I conked out.”

He said nothing so she looked up again. She didn’t see any negative emotions in his expression. He actually appeared happy when he smiled. It reached his eyes that time. It encouraged her to go on.

“Plus it was really extreme, you know? I’ve never felt that way before.”

“You are talking about the sex?” He lowered his tone to one that gave her chills. It was the good kind again and she remembered that about him too. He could talk a certain way that turned her on.

“Yes.”

“Sharing sex while drugged is very powerful.”

“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. I thought I was going to die.” She’d survived the uncomfortable talk and breathed easier, her tense muscles relaxing. “Are you okay? I worried about you too.”

“I’m fine. Species are tough. There were a few uncomfortable hours after I woke but my jaw was only bruised.”

“I hurt your jaw?” She leaned forward, peering at his lower face. She didn’t see any scratches or bruises. He had flawless skin.

“No. Brass punched me to knock me out. I had some marks but they faded fast.”

“Why would he do that? I don’t remember that part. I thought I remembered it all.”

“It was after you passed out. We were about to be driven to Homeland and I was extremely worried about you.”

Vanni realized their faces were inches apart and her gaze locked with his. “Why would he hit you?”

“He was afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist touching you again even though you were unconscious.”