‘Skylar?’ In two strides he was by her side. ‘What the hell happened here? Speak to me. Are you—?’
He tilted her face and his hand came away sticky with her blood.
Her beautiful white-blonde hair was streaked with it, her lips bloodless in a face drained of colour.
His heart pounded. Whatever he’d expected to find, it hadn’t been this.
‘Sky? Open your eyes.’
He tried to scoop her up, and then dodged as she swung her fist towards his face.
‘Touch me and I swear the next thing you feel will be my stiletto in your balls.’
She slurred the words and Alec swore under his breath and captured her wrist in his hand before she could do him serious damage.
‘You might want to work on that pick-up line, princess.’
Her eyes fixed on him and focused. Confusion changed to recognition. ‘What are you doing here? Did you come to gloat?’
‘I saw Richard getting into a car and came to check on you. Good thing I did. I’m taking you to hospital.’
Questions rose in his mind. What had happened? Why had Richard Everson walked out, leaving her like this?
He delved in his pocket for his phone. ‘I’m calling an ambulance. And the police. Did he do this?’
‘No. I fell. And I don’t want you to call anyone.’
She struggled to sit up, her efforts giving him a glimpse of long legs and silk underwear.
Her body was the biggest work of art in the place, he thought, and averted his eyes.
It irritated him that he found her attractive.
‘You’ve had a nasty blow to the head. You need to stay where you are.’
‘People need to stop telling me what I need. I know what I need. Crap.’
He turned back to look at her and saw she’d closed her eyes. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Do you have a twin? I’m seeing two of you.’
‘That’s not good.’
‘You’re not kidding. One Alec Hunter is bad enough; two is my worst nightmare.’
He took it as a good sign that she recognised him. ‘I’m relieved you’re still able to make a joke.’
‘It’s not a joke.’
He gave a grim laugh. ‘I know I’m not your first choice of rescuer, but unfortunately I’m all there is.’
‘Then it’s a good thing I don’t need rescuing.’
He wondered if she had any idea how badly she was hurt. ‘Let me take a look at your head before you stand up.’
Leaning her back against the leg of the table, he gently moved her hair so that he could take a closer look at her injury. He’d been on expeditions to some of the wildest parts of the world and his first aid skills were more than competent.
‘You don’t need stitches, but you have one hell of a bruise and you might have concussion. I’m taking you to hospital.’