“Arianna? How are your feet?” Tom asked calmly as he reached for her other foot. No cuts. Burns looked the same. He’d put some cream on them to help with the sting.
“They’re fine,” she said quietly.
“I’ll get some cream. Sweetheart, don’t worry about the cup and mess, okay?”
“Okay.”
Bain lifted her, carrying her over to the kitchen dining table. He sat with her on his lap. Yep, it was fucking unprofessional as hell. And he knew that he was going to have to call Kent today and tell him. Probably get himself reassigned.
Fuck.
“Here you go.” Tom walked in with a first aid kit then smiled gently at Ari before heading out again.
Bain stood and picked her up, setting her on the counter again. He grabbed the foot with the cut and put some antiseptic cream on it. He grabbed a Band-Aid and put it over it even though it wasn’t bleeding much anymore.
She took in a long slow breath. He calmly dabbed cream on her burns, wincing as she let out a small pained noise.
“Sorry, baby. I’ll find some painkillers for you in a moment.”
Baby. Shit. He was in such trouble.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“I’ll get Tom to find you some new sweats.”
“You keep having to rescue me.”
“My job.” As soon as he said the words, he wished them back. This was so far beyond his job it wasn’t funny.
That cold mask came back over her face.
“I appreciate you doing your job so thoroughly,” she told him very politely.
Damn it. He’d far rather have the Ari who called him an ogre than this formal, closed-off version.
But a bit of space was probably a good thing as he was finding it harder and harder to not touch her.
“Didn’t mean it like that,” he said gruffly. “Aren’t just a job.”
She blinked, looking shocked. Shit. What was he doing?
He clasped her around the waist to lift her down, when she wrapped her hands around his neck, leaning in to kiss him.
Shock filled him, making him freeze. Her kiss was innocent. Just a press of lips against his. But it sent waves of arousal through him. He didn’t move. Couldn’t move. He wanted to deepen the kiss.
But. . .
She’s the client.
Suddenly, she pulled back, staring at him, her breath coming in fast pants. He opened his mouth to say something. Closed his mouth. Then opened it again.
Say something, man.
Your fish impression isn’t exactly attractive.
Suddenly, Arianna shoved against him. Caught off guard, he moved a step away. She quickly slid off the counter and raced out of the kitchen.
What the. . .fuck!