She pulled the plug on the tub, clearly resigned that he would stand there forever, which wasn’t true. If she hadn’t stood up, he would have hauled her ass out of there and then dried her off.

“I was proud of you getting out of the handcuffs as well. You’re no pushover, Cat, and you can’t be a pushover with a man like me, but bottom line, when it comes to your safety or health, you’re not going to win.”

“You’re back to being an arrogant jerk.”

He enfolded her in the towel and began to rub the material over her skin in order to remove the water. While he did he inspected her for marks and bruising. He crouched down and nudged her legs apart. She trembled.

“Put your hand on my shoulder, baby. I just want to make certain you’re okay. I’m not going to do anything you won’t like.”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of,” she said honestly.

He wrapped his hand around her calf and then ran his palm up to the inside of her thigh. He couldn’t imagine another woman being in her position and being so open with him. But then, she’d done that all along when it came to her emotions. She might have hid her past with Cordeau, but she didn’t hold back when the topic was about her and what she thought or felt.

He stroked the inside of her thigh and allowed himself to inhale her scent. Honey and spice. He would always want that, want her. No. He’d always crave her.

“I’d like to make breakfast now.” Her voice was tight. Clearly she was nervous.

“I’ll get you one of my shirts to wear. It’s warm and will cover you easily. I think if you let the air reach you you’ll heal faster.”

She considered his offer. In the end she took his flannel shirt when he handed it to her. It was soft and warm and far too big for her, fitting more like a short dress than a shirt. He rolled up the sleeves for her and walked her into the kitchen.

“You don’t have a phone anywhere that I can see,” she observed.

That told him she’d been looking for one. The only person he could think she might call was Cordeau. That didn’t sit well with him, but he kept his mouth shut.

“I live off the grid here. Totally self-sufficient. The water is gravity fed. Solar panels for electricity. I’ve got a garden in and I pay to have it kept up. Grow most of my own vegetables. I’m not here often, but when I quit work, this is where I plan to retire. My leopard has space to run free, and I like the quiet.”

“I like quiet too, as long as I have my coffee.”