I turn my attention back to the giant before me, finding he’s not moved one inch. He doesn’t answer me. ‘Here.’ He offers me his hand.
I clamp my lips together and hold my breath, instinctively bracing for contact. It’s beyond me, but when I reach forward and he swoops in to claim my hand, I feel an immediate boom in my chest. He gives me an almost dirty look, one laced with annoyance, as his hand squeezes around mine. I’m on my feet in a second, feeling light-headed. Intoxicated. Totally unstable. What the fucking hell is that?
He quickly pulls his hand free, and I take a few steps back as he watches me putting distance between us, looking deep in thought. ‘What?’ I ask, if only to break the suddenly uncomfortable silence.
‘Your hands are so warm,’ he says quietly, looking down at them. ‘And it’s so cold tonight.’
‘Did I burn you?’ I ask on a nervous laugh, and he frowns, once again ignoring my question as he turns towards the other suited man, who’s back and collecting Penny up from the ground, cradling her in his arms and carrying her to the Bentley.
‘Get her back to the Playground,’ the guy before me orders brusquely.
‘She’s concussed,’ I blurt. I have no idea what the Playground is, but I realize that it’s not a hospital.
He moves forward a step, almost threateningly. I don’t move, finding the strength I need to stand my ground, and he’s surprised, judging by the slight tilt of his head. ‘Concussed? How do you know that?’
‘I’m a nurse,’ I explain. ‘She needs to go to a hospital.’
‘You’re a nurse?’
I nod, and intrigue springs into his eyes. ‘She needs medical attention. I was calling for an ambulance before he . . .’ My intended words disappear. I can’t finish.
His lips twist, abhorrence rampant in his expression, taking a fraction of his good looks away. The sight, though actually very scary, fills me with reassurance, even more than his formidable presence. ‘No hospital,’ he declares, leaving no room for argument, stepping forward again.
No hospital? That’s crazy. I don’t care how big he is, or how frightening he appears. That woman needs treatment. ‘I’m afraid I have to insist,’ I say firmly, breaking free of his iron stare to see his associate lowering Penny carefully into the back seat of the Bentley. ‘I don’t mind accompanying her if your presence will be a problem or spark unwanted questions.’ I’m not stupid. I don’t know this man, but everything is telling me that people prying into the circumstances of Penny’s injuries wouldn’t be gratefully received. Or people prying into him, for that matter.
‘What makes you think that?’ His voice is deep and low. It’s rough but silky, threatening but soothing, and his cobalt eyes seem to dance as I stare at him. He’s getting a little thrill from my approach. He likes me challenging his authority.
‘Instinct.’
His lips quirk a touch, that dimple forming again, his eyebrows rising in amusement. His humour irritates me now, and I muster up some fortitude and step forward, showing him my determination. The look of shock on his face fascinates me. He’s surprised that I’m standing up to him. Frankly, I am, too. ‘She needs a hospital.’
His dimple deepens. ‘What’s your name, girl?’
‘Izzy.’ I don’t hesitate to tell him, and I have no clue why. ‘Izzy White.’
‘Izzy White. I’m Theo. Theo Kane.’ I fall victim to his eyes again, staring in wonder. There’s a certain prettiness beyond the hardness of his face, making him appear younger than I initially thought, yet his presence is that of a far more mature man.
He steps forward, offering his hand. I stare at it and roll my shoulders to rid myself of the tremor of apprehension. ‘Take it, Izzy.’
I do, immediately, and he tugs me forward, my front coming dangerously close to his. He gulps, his hand beginning to shake, and he pulls away but doesn’t release his grip, like he’s having a fight with himself over whether or not to let me go. I look up at him in question, seeing that battle in his eyes. This close, I get to truly appreciate his height, my level vision falling just below his throat. Jesus, he’s a mountain.
Constricting his hand around mine, he takes another tiny step forward, almost as if he’s approaching me with caution. His persona and behaviour could be interpreted as intimidating, but I feel nothing but intrigue. He’s studying me closely. The sharp stubble of his jaw is perfectly even, his lips parted just a fraction. ‘You have soft hands,’ he murmurs quietly. ‘Warm and soft. I like the feel of them.’
Oh my God.
I look away, completely stunned. ‘She needs professional care,’ I say mindlessly, feeling his grip flex around mine. I try to pull away, but he laughs in the face of my strength, keeping a firm hold of me. ‘I strongly urge you to take her to the hospital. It’s the best place for her.’