Chapter 6

I should have stopped her. I should have spoken up instead of allowing her to believe I was mute. But I didn't. Honestly, I wasn't sure my voice had returned yet anyway.

My throat still felt raw, so I kept my mouth shut. And, really, it was better this way. More often than not, I learned things I never would have otherwise by remaining quiet. She filled the silence well enough for both of us, rambling on about the town, sharing anecdotes and telling me about some of the locals. It was good information to know, and I mentally filed away the tidbits she'd shared.

Interestingly enough, she hadn't offered a single personal detail about herself other than the fact that she owned a floral shop—Lilies. I glanced at a flower print on the wall. It made sense that she would want to surround herself with things she loved. But nothing in the house, nothing in her conversation, told me anything about her.

Though I could tell she was still nervous around me, her reservations waned with every passing moment. She'd shrunk away from me earlier when I'd towered over her. It was a test to see how far I could push her. I had to give her credit; she held out longer than I expected. Most women—and men—would have bolted immediately.

In my line of work, I was generally feared. It was more than a little unsettling that Lily stood up to me. Her sassy attitude told me she could only be pushed so far, but that alone triggered my instincts to pry even more. Where would she draw the line? And what in the hell had possessed her to bring a strange man into her house? I would never hurt her, but she didn't know that. I could have been a serial killer or worse.

She had no idea the things some people did in order to trick others into lowering their guard. I very well could have inflicted the cuts on myself to garner her sympathy and gain entrance to her home. I was infuriated that she'd so carelessly set aside her safety for a stranger. When my time here was through, I would make sure it never happened again.

After dinner we tended the plants in the greenhouse, then watched TV for a bit, both of us sitting in awkward silence as old reruns filled the time. According to Lily, she only got a few stations clearly, and she didn't even bother with a satellite dish because the surrounding trees interfered with the reception. I didn't mind. It gave me more time to study her as she pulled a half-finished blanket from a basket and began to knit. It was fascinating. I'd never seen anyone do it before, but her fingers moved nimbly, twirling the yarn into a perfect pattern.

One shoulder resting on the doorjamb, I eyed Lily as she spread a blanket over the couch, then placed a pillow at one end. She bent over to tuck in the corner and my gaze was drawn inexorably to her bottom. It wasn't the first time I'd taken the opportunity to stare. Her ass was perfection.

A stirring of lust in my loins caught me off guard. It seemed like forever since I'd felt desire, let alone been turned on. For so long my body had focused on only the necessary for survival. I didn't want to be attracted to her; it would only complicate things in the long run.

She turned to me, drawing my gaze upward. I clearly read the anxiety in her expression as she twisted her hands together. "I'll take the couch. You'll be more comfortable in the bed, and?—"

I shook my head as I stepped forward, effectively cutting her off. "What?" She tipped her head to one side. "You won't be able to rest out here."

I shook my head again. I wouldn't rest anyway. I couldn't afford to. Since the moment I'd regained consciousness, I'd constantly been checking the windows, watching and listening for anything out of place. Tonight would be no different.

Her eyes widened slightly as I reached her. "But…"

I took her shoulders in my hands, then slowly turned her and gave her a gentle shove in the direction of her room. "Are you sure? I…" She bit her lip. "I feel bad."

I tipped my head toward her room, indicating that she should go to bed. Indecision creased her features even as her feet carried her away from me. "All right. If you need anything…"

I waved away her offer, watching until she'd disappeared into the bedroom. Once she was ensconced inside, I took the opportunity to check the windows to make sure they were latched. The front door was locked, the bolt still in place. Moving quietly I cut through the kitchen and slipped out the back door.

The moon was high in the sky, and the silvery light spilled over the backyard. I melded into the darkness, ears tuned to the night sounds. It was noisy tonight. That was a good thing. It meant nothing out of the ordinary was lurking in the woods. Even so, I canvassed the yard, familiarizing myself with the layout, studying every shadow. Once I made sure everything was secure, I headed back inside.

Grabbing one of the wooden chairs at the table, I hauled it into the living room and placed it in the corner. From here I had a vantage point of both doors. I settled in, ready to endure the night.