She didn’t say that out loud. Thank God.
“Where’s Aleki?” They all needed to talk. She had to tell them why she couldn’t go to Escana. At least part of it, anyway.
“He’s gone to get burritos.”
“Didn’t he just have pizza?”
“He didn’t eat any of it because some naughty little girl wandered off,” he said pointedly.
She blushed, looking down at her hands in her lap nervously. “I’m sorry for worrying you all. It’s just you were so insistent on me coming with you. And I can’t . . .”
“Are you going to tell us why you can’t?”
She nodded. “When the others are here. It’s something you all need to hear.”
“What did the doc have to say?”
Her cheeks felt hot. “Nothing much. He just wanted to make sure I was okay.”
“Really? Took him a long time just to ask you if you were okay.”
He’d also made sure she knew she had choices and rights. And options. She still couldn’t believe he’d offered her a place to stay. With him.
Like she didn’t already have enough man trouble?
“He offered to help me, which was very kind.”
Caleb scowled. “Oh, I doubt kindness had anything to do with it.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“He wants you.”
She gaped at him then let out a bark of laughter. That was ridiculous. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Yep. He’s been flirting with you. Touching you unnecessarily. Bet he was just hoping to sweep in and rescue you. Asshole. He’s fired.”
Caleb stood as though to chase after the doctor, but she reached out to grab his hand. “Caleb, he doesn’t want me. That’s crazy. I mean, look at me.”
He turned to gaze down at her. His gaze was cold, his face firm. “Excuse me?”
She gulped. “Umm, I said look at me? There’s no way he could want me.”
Leaning in, he placed his hands on either side of her body. She melted into the bed. Whoa. She felt her body warm, his dominant position doing something to her. She bit her lower lip worriedly.
“Let your lip go,” he commanded.
She immediately obeyed.
“Good girl,” he practically purred.
Oh, fuck. Was it p
ossible to come just from his voice?
“Look at me, little girl.”
Holy. Hell.