He looked around, then quickly crossed the road and moved along the street until he reached a small half-wall which he sat her on.
Yikes, that was cold on her butt. But she didn’t complain. Maeve didn’t like to complain.
Reaching out, he drew her coat more firmly around her, doing up the belt. Pulling out his phone, he tapped on it. Was he answering messages? Seemed a bit rude.
What was that smell? Where was it coming from? She sniffed. Darn, she thought that garbage smell was just in the alleyway, but it seemed to be out here as well.
He quickly put his phone away, then kneeled on the ground and picked up one of her feet.
“Girl,” he said, running a finger over the sole.
“Yes?”
“Your feet are filthy.”
“Oh, well, they weren’t filthy before. Promise.”
Gross. She tried to tug them out of his hold, but he wasn’t letting go.
“You could have cut them up. They could have gotten infected.”
“But I didn’t, they’re fine.”
“Would you even know? Hard to see under all this dirt. You should have left your shoes on.” He brushed at her foot quite forcefully. She bit her lip so she didn’t say anything. He was just trying to help.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said hastily. She didn’t want him to feel bad.
“Girl,” he said, rolling his r. That was sexy. Even if she wasn’t certain about being called girl. Although said in that low, gravelly voice, it could almost be an endearment.
Oh, Maeve. You’re crazy.
“I didn’t have any other weapons,” she told him.
He gave her a firm look. “Give me your shoes.”
“Why? These are very special. They’re my favorite.”
“Shoes.”
She huffed out a breath. “You know, I don’t like to say anything bad about someone who is my hero—”
“Not your hero, girl.”
“But you’re being quite, uh, well, you’re slightly bossy.”
“Already know that. Give me your shoes.”
“I can’t put them on, my feet are filthy.”
“You’re not walking around with no shoes on. You’ll cut your feet. Shoes.”
“Fine, bossy butt.”
“Bossy butt?”
She bit her lip. “I’m sure you’ve been told before that you’re rather demanding. You might want to work on that.”