Page 29 of Dangerous Mission

His expression tightens even more when that seems impossible. A thousand things pass behind the crystal windows he sees the world through.

“No way. No. I’ve been to hell and back, and I’ve never collapsed. No. Fucking. Way.”

Careful, Aria.He’s triggered.

We both had a bad night. The last thing I need right now is to make this situation worse. We have to work together.

“I’m sorry, Scout. I know this has to be confusing and I am sure with all your high-price training, this scenario does not add up. But I saw it with my own eyes.” Meeting his gaze, I soften my voice, "You had just eaten a Twinkie and you kind of crumpled—sort of fell. You landed face down on the carpet. It was as shocking to me then, as it is to you right now.”

He huffs and blinks rapidly, looking right through me, as if there is zero chance of that information being true.

“Right there.” I motion toward the carpeted expanse in front of the desk. “You’re too big for me to move. Not that there was anywhere to take you. No comfy accommodations here. They don’t even have a couch in their lounge. At least you didn’t land on the broken glass.”

Scout’s body has gone scary-still.

He was always impossibly big, but now he’s scary-viking size.

“Did you touch me?”

For a beat, his question confuses me.

“Of course, I was afraid you needed CPR.”

Then it hits me. I realize what he’s asking.Oh my god.“Not inappropriately. I would never.”

The angle of his jaw tenses, his cold gaze gets even icier. “Tell me exactly where you touched me.”

Heart thudding, stomach knotting, I step back. “I promise I didn’t do anything bad. I made sure you were breathing.”

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to remember exactly where I touched him. “Your neck first to check your pulse. I put my hand on your back to make sure you were breathing steadily. Not under your shirt. I took your hat off.”

Definitely not telling him I brushed my fingers through his thick, soft, dark-blond hair.

He steps closer, making me crane my neck to match his gaze.

Voice rough, he asks, “What did I do?”

“You were just sleeping. You said one word—exhausted.”

For a while we just stand. Looking at each other as heat pushes off of him and my nerves fray.

“I passed out… I’ve never had anything like that happen.”

“You were a walking zombie, pale skin, dark circles under your eyes. When did you last sleep?”

“Days.”

I tilt my head, my heart softening as I take in his strong, handsome face. “That’s terrible. You can’t do that. It’s dangerous. What if you were driving?”

He scrubs both hands over his face. “Are you sure I was sleeping?”

I take a steadying breath. No man wants to think he’sbeen vulnerable and unaware. Out of control. Especially him. It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that he’s got to be in charge.

But something bad has happened to Scout before and this whole thing has been a trigger for him.

God knows I have mine.

“I know you're upset you collapsed. I would be too, if I couldn’t remember anything. But I promise you, I was worried about you. I took care of you. I only wanted to make sure you were safe.”