“No. But I hit the bastard. We found a spatter of blood up there where he was hiding. I just don’t know how badly he’s hurt.”
“Who do you think it was? A robber?”
Raven shrugged.
“Think he’ll try again?”
“If he’s not dead, he might, but it’s unlikely.”
She frowned and crossed her arms. “I wish you wouldn’t just go running off like that.”
“Did you miss me, angel?”
“Hardly. My concern’s purely self-interest. If you go and die falling down a ravine or get yourself shot, who’s going to protect me?”
He snorted. “Credit me with a little coordination, please. Besides, I thought you didn’t need protection?”
“I’m not so foolish as to deny myself the services of a perfectly competent bodyguard if one happens to be around.”
He clapped a palm to his chest and staggered as if he’d received a fatal blow. “Did you just call me perfectly competent? Good God.”
She ignored his foolery. “It’s clear in this area you have skills that surpass my own.”
The corner of his mouth curved up in a wicked smile. “Oh, I think you’ll find my skills surpass yours in several areas.” The look in his eye had her flushing to the roots of her hair. “This is the second time I’ve saved you from a bullet, you know.”
She raised her chin. “And?”
“Most people I rescue are grateful.”
“I’m grateful.”
One dark eyebrow rose in disbelief.
“I am, damn you!”
Raven mirrored her defensive stance, folding his arms over his chest. “Prove it.”
“What do you mean?”
He tapped his cheek with his finger. “Come over here and kiss me.”
“Do you make everyone you rescue do that?”
His eyes glowed with a wolfish, predatory gleam. “So far they’ve all been men.” He stepped up close, toe to toe, and tilted his head. “What’s wrong with one innocent little kiss, hmm?”
Heloise strove to recover her composure even though her heart was racing. “Nothing to do with you is ever innocent, Ravenwood.”
His chuckle rumbled in his chest. “One kiss.”
He thought she’d forfeit. Heloise sighed loudly. “Oh,fine.Never let it be said that I don’t honor my debts.” She pursed her lips and leaned up on tiptoe, but even then she couldn’t reach his cheek. She braced herself on his arm to keep her balance.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m waiting.”
“Come down here, then,” she said crossly.
He bent until they were an inch apart. She closed the distance just as he turned his head; she made contact with his lips instead of his cheek.
She gasped in protest and started to draw back, but he followed her. She felt him smile against her lips. “You know, you’re much more attractive when you’re not talking, Hellcat.”