“Can I please take a look at that?”

Lynell almost refused point-blank. But the way he looked at her calmed any nerves, and she extended her hand. When he took her wrist with one hand and cradled her palm with the other, she sucked in a breath. Not from any pain, but the contact.

His hands were large and rough and warm. They had the potential to be dangerous, but he was holding her so gently, almost as if not touching her at all. But he was, and she didn’t want to recoil. His fingertips danced over her skin, and the touch warmed her all the way to her toes.

“None of the scratches seem too deep,” he said, letting go. “But they could get infected. I’d like to clean them and get your hand wrapped up as quickly as possible.”

Lynell held her hand close to her chest. Her eyes flicked down to his lips.

“My shop is just on the other side of the park. A fifteen-minute walk. I’ve got a first aid kit.”

She didn’t say anything at first. His words didn’t even register in her mind. Then she sucked in a breath. He was inviting her back to his shop. This stranger was trying to get her to go with him, completely unguarded and vulnerable.

And she was going to agree.

She nodded and a grin split his face. He quickly stood up, wiped the dirt and grass from his pants, and held out a hand. She looked up at him before placing her right one in his.

He guided both their bikes down the sidewalk, and Lynell walked next to him, smiling as he spoke. He told her all about opening the shop with his partner, a young man who fought with him. She noticed he didn’t give a clue as to the side they fought on. After the rebellion was squashed, he moved to Dallas to care for his sick mom. His partner had studied business and marketing in college before they met.

“He’s a good guy. Takes care of the boring financial side, leaving me with the coffee and bikes.”

“That’s awesome,” Lynell said as they pulled in front of the shop. It was cute, split between the bikes and the coffee. It was packed with people, but the man led her around back.

“Do you mind coming into my office?” he asked, fishing some keys out of a jacket pocket. “That’s where the first aid kit is.” He unlocked the door and guided the bikes inside before turning back to Lynell. He glanced at her for a moment, and she tried to school her features into a comfortable position that didn’t give away her fear. “I’ll leave the door open,” he said.

Lynell took a deep breath. “Yeah, of course.”

He grinned again and held the door open for her to walk through. “Cool. Hey, I never got your name, by the way.”

They held eye contact as Lynell smiled and said, “Lynell.”