Page 32 of Two Favors Repaid

She looked up at Rob. The man looked nothing like his usual friendly self. His square jaw was tight, his entire body coiled. But she wasn’t afraid he would go off on her.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

“I’m okay,” she repeated woodenly. She let him herd her towards the cabin area. It didn’t escape her attention how he kept looking around them as he did so.

In the small living room space, she turned around.

“I’m okay,” she said in a stronger voice this time.

“What if I’m not okay?” he said, his green eyes glinting. He reached out and held her tightly, still careful not to squeeze her arm. “I was so afraid, Emma …”

“I’m okay. You must think I’m so stupid. I don’t know why I—”

“Hey,” he said, cupping her chin and lifting her face gently so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “I could never think you’re stupid.”

“But I should have been ready—”

“Nobody should be ready for what happened to you today.” He let her go slightly. “What do you need, Emma? Would you like to rest a bit?”

“What you were doing just now was nice,” she whispered.

“What I was doing—” He must suddenly have realized she meant the hug because he brought her into his arms again. She smelled of his soap but also something different, something earthy and fresh that was uniquely him. She burrowed her face against his shirt, feeling his strong muscles and his beating heart.

“Hey,” he soothed, his palm on her back. “It’s going to be okay. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

She wrapped her good arm around him and squeezed him hard, wanting the moment to last forever. Finally, he broke the hug and stepped back. He kept a hand on her back, which was nice.

“I should make you some food,” he said.

“Food?” Emma wrinkled her forehead. She’d completely lost track of what time it was.

“It’s evening. I’m pretty sure you didn’t eat much at the hospital. Let’s have an early dinner.”

Emma was plotting a witty comeback, something about it not being food she was hungry for, when her stomach chose to rumble loudly. Rob grinned.

“Food it is, then. What do you feel like?”

“Nachos,” she said then brought her hand up to her mouth. “Sorry, anything’s fine. I eat everything except artichokes. Something about them just doesn’t—”

“Understood. No artichokes.” She admired his butt as he rifled through the small kitchen space, amazed at how much storage space he’d managed to fit into the small kitchen. Finally he brought out a can of beans, a jar of jalapeño peppers, another jar of salsa, and a bag of nachos. From the fridge came a small block of cheddar.

“Bingo,” he said, waving the cheese towards her.

She laughed, impressed.

“I can help,” she said, wanting to be close to him again. He offered her a cheese grater and the block of cheese.

“This isn’t the only meal I can make, you know?” he said defensively as he artfully sliced jalapeño peppers.

“I’m sure it’s not,” she said, bringing some curls back from her head. She realized she was smiling again.

“Is it okay if I take a shower while it cooks?”

“Of course. Please don’t lock the door. I promise I won’t come in, but I’ll be able to hear you if you need anything.”

“What if I want you to come in?” she whispered.

How many hints does this man need?