Page 38 of Hunting Justice
He smirked and shook his head. “Why do women always say that when things are obviously not fine?” Before he cut through the fabric, he went to the small closet in the room and retrieved a long-sleeve scrubs top. “I’ll do my best to keep it between us.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ll need antibiotics, but I can take care of that later.” Even though he worked at the morgue, he still maintained his license to practice medicine. Within a few minutes, he’d cleaned and butterflied the gash closed.
“All done.” Jonah cleaned up the bloody gauze and threw it away in the trash beside the desk.
“Do I get a lollipop?” Her racing pulse, which he’d noticed while treating her, belied her teasing tone.
Yes, her scars made him want to weep for the young girl who’d endured so much pain and fear. But with or without the raised white lines on her skin, he found her attractive—inside and out. He wanted her to see herself the way he saw her.
“You know…” He clasped her forearm and gently twisted it so he had a clear view of the healed slices on her skin. With a finger, he traced the lines beside her bandage. “I’m not afraid of scars.”
“Please, don’t.” She attempted to pull away from him.
He held tight. Not enough that she couldn’t break free, but enough to make his point known. “I know what happened. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He smoothed his hand down her arm and interlaced his fingers with hers. “You are beautiful, Elle.” He leaned in, giving her a moment to decide what she wanted.
When she didn’t move away, he closed the gap. He brushed his lips against hers, once, twice. Common sense flew from his brain, and the only thing that existed was how his heart rate spiked at the mere touch of his lips to hers. He slid his hand behind her neck and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. The moment should have scared him to death, but it was as if his out-of-control world had fallen into place with this sweet, vulnerable woman. All the dark shadows of his past scattered until only light existed.
He ended the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, both of them trying to catch their breath.
Voices carried down the hall.
He closed his eyes, not ready for the moment to end. “That’s Matt. I’ll go greet them while you change.” He stood and handed her the clean shirt.
“I appreciate that.” Her shoulders slumped.
Finger under her chin, he tilted her face. “Elle, look at me.”
Her gaze met his.
“I don’t want you to hide your scars, but I think you do. That’s why I gave you the scrubs top. Change or not—it doesn’t bother me one way or the other.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll give you time to decide.”
Jonah turned and exited the autopsy room, closing the door behind him.
What had he done? He had no regrets about the beyond amazing kiss. In fact, he felt alive for the first time since Cara’s death. But what if he and Noelle couldn’t let go of their pasts?
Had he just ruined their friendship?
* * *
Noelle stared at the door. One minute, Jonah had patched up the skin where the bullet had torn through, and the next, he’d leaned in and kissed her. She hadn’t kissed a man… She snorted. She hadn’t even dated anyone since before her abduction. Jonah had been married, and she had no idea how to do a relationship. The two of them together was all kinds of wrong. Yet she couldn’t muster up an ounce of regret.
Knowing she had limited time, she slipped off her bloody shirt and replaced it with the long-sleeve scrubs top that Jonah had found for her.
Tears pricked her eyes at his thoughtfulness…and his words about her scars. No one had touched the healed cuts on her skin except for doctors. Not even her mother had stomached touching her. Jonah had cared more for her—about her—in the last few minutes than anyone in her family ever had.
A knock pulled her from her thoughts.
“Elle, can we come in?” Jonah asked from a small crack in the door.
“I’m good.” She tossed the old shirt in the garbage and stood.
The door swung open, and Jonah entered with the two detectives on his heels.
Decia strode to her side. “Doc told us what happened. Are you okay?”
“He did a good job bandaging me up.”