Dammit, he does look refreshed. “Let me wet my hair.”
He steadies the stream, and I bend forward, letting him wet my head. The water drips over my face, and down my clothes, cooling my overheated body—which might have more to do with Alek than the hot afternoon sun.
“That feels good,” I say, and stand. I take off my gloves, wring out my ponytail, and wipe down my face. “A swim would have been nice, but…”
“My buddy has a pool.” He shrugs. “Do you have any other jobs after this?”
I look around the backyard. “No, actually. This is it for the day. Tomorrow I have to trim the hedges and mow.”
“You want to come for a swim?”
“Actually, no that’s probably not a good idea, and I do have somewhere I need to be later tonight.” I pull my phone from my pocket. “I should probably get you back to your car.” I head back to the garden area and collect my shovels and rakes as he turns the hose off and coils it. With everything loaded back into the trailer, I’m about to slide into the driver’s seat.
“Nope, I’m driving,” Alek says.
I fold my arms. “I’m quite capable of driving.”
“I’m sure you are, but that bump on your head hasn’t gone down any, and until it does, I’m responsible for you.”
“You just assigned yourself as my…”
“Doctor.”
“Are you a doctor, Alek?”
“No, but I’ve taken enough hits to the head to know you shouldn’t be driving, or lifting heavy things. You should be resting.”
“Hits to the head? Are you a fighter or something?”
“Yeah, or something,” he says, clearly not wanting to talk about what he does for a living. Is he embarrassed by what he does? Heck, he doesn’t have to be ashamed around me. I dig in the dirt to put food on my table, and I admire a guy who works hard for a living. But if he doesn’t want to discuss it, I’m going to leave it alone.
“How about this?” I say. “I’ll let you drive me back to your car, and then I’ll go home and rest.”
“Do you have anyone at home to keep an eye on you?”
“No.”
He jabs his thumb into his chest. “Then you’re coming home with me.”
“I am not going home with you,” I blurt out. His face goes so serious, my blood slows in my veins. “What?” I ask.
“My friend has a huge house. Like huge. Let me make you dinner while you have a swim, and stay one night, just so I can make sure you’re okay. You’ll have your own bedroom and the door locks.”
“I don’t know anything about you.”
He nods. “I don’t know anything about you either, other than you’re tough, smart, and run your own business.” I open my mouth to protest, even though my chest puffs at the compliments. I like that he sees me that way. “It’s either that or let me take you to the doctor.”
I give it some thought. I really don’t have the money for a visit to the clinic and would one night spent in luxury really be so hard? “Fine, I’ll come for dinner, and a swim, but I’m sleeping in my own bed tonight.”
He nods, and looks at his feet. I can almost hear the wheels spinning. He glances back at me, like he’s come to some conclusion. “I guess I can stay at your place.”
“You are not staying at my place, and I do have somewhere I have to be later.”
“I can take you.”
My God, this guy is so damn annoying!
Sort of.