Page 32 of Urban Justice
“You’re going to stay and watch?”
“You stayed for my examination and I’m staying for yours.”
How could he draw a smile from her when she felt so ungrounded. “Just admit you want a peep show, professor.”
Luke scratched his beard, an interested look on his face. He came closer, so close, Sloane hoped for a kiss, but instead, he grabbed the bottom hem of her hoodie and pulled it up with the torn cami underneath, bearing her down to her bra.
Not the shy type, she let her hands fall to her sides, waiting for the usual reproach about being hurt. Even with her friends at Noctem, even if there was no reprimand, she knew they cared, especially the male members. They never doubted her ability or the way she could handle herself in the field; it was more the deep worry that radiated from them when any of the women taking their turn at being the vigilante came back with an injury. The men could return with bullet wounds, one pint short of being completely bled out and nobody gave them grief about it. It had been the case all of her life, for every single job she’d held.
Bracing for that same look, those same words, Sloane prepared for the attack, so again, she was thrown off balance when Luke fell to his knees in front of her. For the first time, he examined her stomach, and winced at the bold blue and purple all over it, but her breath caught when his lips skimmed her belly. His whiskers tickled as he traced upward, standing, even making a detour to the last speck of blue on the swell of her breast.
As she remained still, Luke stood and kissed her. It had nothing of the explosion they’d created the other night, more like a sweeping of heat that eased the pain and even gave her a boost of energy.
Over too soon, way before her brain could register the need to hold him in place for more, he stepped back.
“I like that lost look on your face when you’re surprised, Sloane Friday.”
“What was that about, professor?”
“My way to take inventory of every inch of you to make sure those nasty injuries disappear as quickly as possible. And, I admit, distracting you so you’d stay put until Melina checks you out.”
Her face scrunched. “So it’s Melina now. You’ve already got people around here spilling their secrets. You’re the real danger here, professor.”
Melina arrived and was all business, so Luke retreated to a corner. “I’m only interested in yours, Miss Friday. Only yours.”