Wade had meant to harass her, to get her mind off her aches and pains. And it’d worked, but he could see the signs of strain in the stiff way she sat and the lines around her mouth. The pain meds were wearing off. He hated to see Gracie in pain.
He started across the room. “Where’s your kitchen?”
“Why?”
He stopped and rol ed his eyes. “Don’t sound so damn suspicious. I’m not going to raid your refrigerator. I want to get you a glass of water so you can take another pain pil .”
“Sorry.” She looked down at her lap and fiddled with the hem of her T-shirt. “I’m a little frustrated, I guess. I’m not used to feeling so helpless.
Quite frankly, it sucks.”
The smal admission spoke volumes. Gracie didn’t strike him as the type to admit weakness. He closed the distance between them and sat next to her on the couch. He cupped her chin in his palm, enjoying the feel of her satin skin way too much, and murmured, “None of us ever enjoys being helpless, honey. I should know. I’ve had my share of broken bones over the years and had to ask for help every time. It does suck, but that’s what friends are for, to lean on when the going gets rough.”
“I can’t imagine you ever being helpless, Wade.”
Her soft voice and the sincerity in her bright green eyes went straight to his gut. “I’m not Superman.” Although in that moment she made him feel as strong as ten men. “I break just as easily as the next guy. Just ask Jonas. He and I have had to play nursemaid to each other more times than either of us care to admit.”
“Jonas. He’s your partner, right?”
“Yeah, you’l meet him tomorrow.” He removed his hand from her chin and gave in to the need to touch her red hair. Gracie had hair of silk.
Pretty red silk. “I asked him to stop by and take a look at those e-mails.”
She closed her eyes and let out a breath. “I’m not used to this, Wade.”
“What?” He couldn’t seem to stay focused when he touched her. He removed his hand and reminded himself, once again, that she wasn’t in top fighting form.
“Having people around. In my home. Messing with my things. I didn’t realize how much I’d gotten used to being alone. I’m not sure that’s a good thing either.”
“Listen to me, honey.” Once her gaze was on him, he said, “Everything’s going to work out. We’re going to catch this guy, and you’re going to be back on your feet in no time. Right now al I want you to do is rest.” She nodded, and he stood. “I’m going to get you another pain pil and order some pizza. What do you want on your half?”
“Mmm, pizza, now that sounds like heaven. That hospital food was crap. Pepperoni and green peppers on mine.”
She smiled. Wade couldn’t help but feel as if he could climb Mount Everest. What was it about the woman that made him want to be her hero? Christ, he needed to get a handle on his feelings toward her, whatever they were. “It’s wrong to ruin a perfectly good pizza with green peppers, but your wish is my command.”
“Through the doorway is the kitchen; the hal way wil take you to the bedroom, office, and bathroom.”
He winked. “Got it. I’l be right back.”
He started out of the room, but her voice stopped him. “Bring the phone back with you. I need to cal my neighbor and see if she’s free to help out.”
He laughed. “Getting tired of me already?”
She shook her head and looked down at her lap. “I . . . I like having you here. It’s nice.”
“You might not feel that way later when I start back on my campaign to buy you a new security alarm.”
Her head shot up, and she opened her mouth to speak, but Wade didn’t stick around to hear whatever biting remark she might have for him this time. She would be safe. With or without her compliance. That’s al that mattered to him.
“You can’t possibly be ful already. You only ate one slice.”
She would’ve laughed at the incredulous look on Wade’s face if she hadn’t been so aware of how good he looked sitting on the floor across from the coffee table, licking pizza sauce off his index finger. She had the insane urge to lean forward and do the licking for him. “I’m stuffed, trust me. I feel like I could bust.”
“I ate half the pizza, and you’re ful off one slice?” His eyes narrowed. “Is this one of those girly things where a woman is too embarrassed to pig out in front of a man?”
She dabbed her lips with the napkin and sat back, a feeling of contentment washing over her. It’d been eons since she’d been able to relax.
Real y relax. It felt good. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’d never choose a man over pizza; that’s just wrong.”