Wilde Thing. Jannine Gallant

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СКАЧАТЬ not yelled, exactly. More like strongly suggested I stop trying to do too much so soon.” He rested his head against the back of the chair. “Hell, I figured a little exercise to keep the blood flowing would help rather than hinder.”

      “You didn’t mention earlier that you have a sprained ankle and serious bruising to your thigh.” She stopped at the elevator and pressed the down button.

      “Whining isn’t going to do me much good.” He glanced back at her, green eyes dark with pain. “Anyway, they’re only minor problems and will heal a whole lot faster than my shoulder. The doc wrapped my ankle and told me to take it easy for a few days. No big deal.”

      She pressed her lips together. Obviously Tripp was determined to downplay his injuries. Or maybe he was just trying to be a martyr. Perfect. They were both silent on the ride down in the elevator. After wheeling him to the pharmacy, she handed over his prescription to the white-coated attendant.

      “Now what?”

      She glanced at him and frowned. “We stick to the plan. I take you home, maybe make some dinner, and then we’ll see.”

      White teeth flashed in a smile. “If any other woman said that…”

      Her cheeks heated. “Yeah, well, I’m not any other woman.”

      “No, you certainly aren’t.”

      Hannah wasn’t sure how to take his quiet comment, so she didn’t say anything while he paid for the prescription then listened to the spiel on dosage and possible side effects. Once he’d taken the bag from the pharmacist, she pushed him out to the parking lot where she’d left her Subaru. After he settled onto the passenger seat, she returned the wheelchair then hurried back to the car. Snowflakes sifted through the gathering cloud cover as she started the engine.

      “Another storm moving in.” She turned up the heater. “This is shaping up to be a big winter.”

      He didn’t bother to open his eyes. “And I’m going to miss it.”

      She gave him a long look before pulling out of the lot. “No whining, remember.”

      That earned her a half-smile.

      “Right. Sorry.”

      At the stop sign, she waited. “Uh, Tripp.”

      “Hmm?”

      “I don’t have a clue where you live. Somewhere here in Truckee, or do we head back to Squaw Valley?”

      “I live in Tahoe City down the West Shore. I hope I’m not taking you out of your way.”

      “Not at all. I’m on the West Shore, too.” She flipped on her blinker and turned left. “Convenient. Let’s see if we can make it home before the roads get slick again.”

      “I really appreciate this.”

      “I know you do. As I said before, not a problem. My afternoon was open, and my evening, too.” She sure wasn’t going to tell him almost all her evenings were free since she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had an actual date. Tapping her fingers on the wheel, she glanced over as they waited at the stoplight. “Why did your friend bail on you?”

      “Media interview. Jake won the competition.” He snorted. “Wouldn’t have if I’d finished my run. I was unbeatable.”

      “Boy, you sure don’t lack confidence.” Hannah peered through the wipers slapping across the windshield as the snow fell faster. “Must be nice.”

      He shrugged then grunted. “Ouch. Son of a bitch!”

      “Take another pain med. You’re about due. There should be a water bottle on the floor by your feet.”

      He clamped his lips together. “I’ll wait until we get home.”

      “Suit yourself.” She focused on the road. As the snow collected on the pavement, she shifted into 4-wheel-drive, glad she’d used the Christmas check from her mother to buy new tires. “There’s no reason for you to be uncomfortable.”

      “I don’t like feeling fuzzy.”

      “A party animal like you? I’d think you’d be used to it.” She took her eyes off the road long enough to glance over at him.

      His scowl was just visible in the dim light as dusk closed in. “I may go out a lot. My sponsors expect me to bolster the Wilde Thing image in the public eye, but I don’t drink excessively during the ski season. Or any other time for that matter. I care too much about staying in top form.”

      Hannah couldn’t argue with his logic. At his brother’s engagement party a few months back, she’d seen his form in nothing but a pair of shorts as he’d headed to the shower one morning. She could vouch for the fact that he stayed in incredible shape. “Good for you.”

      They rode in silence for some time as the snow fell faster.

      “I’m not the complete derelict you seem to think I am.”

      Her brows shot up. “I never said—”

      He snorted. “You don’t have to say anything. Your expression does the talking for you every time you look at me.”

      Clenching the wheel a little harder, she reined in her irritation. “I’m surprised you noticed. I always thought I was invisible around you.”

      He turned in his seat and stared. “Why would you think that?”

      “How many times did I visit your ranch while I was in college with Eden?”

      “Uh, a couple, I’m pretty sure.”

      “Three Christmases, two spring breaks and a month one summer. You were around at least part of the time on each occasion.” She gritted her teeth. “As I said, invisible.”

      “That many? Are you sure?”

      “Positive.”

      “Huh. I could have sworn…” He shook his head. “Ancient history. You’re…different now.”

      “You mean not fat.” Her voice came out flat and hard.

      “I didn’t imply anything of the sort.”

      “Only because your mother raised you better. You were thinking it.”

      He let out a long sigh. “Is it a crime to notice you look pretty damn hot now?”

      Remnants of old pain dissolved in a spurt of satisfaction. “Not in the least.” She flicked on her blinker and headed down the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. “Where do you live, exactly?”

      “I have a house up in Talmont.”

      Hannah winced. “We might get up that hill, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back down again later. It’s dumping. I’d guess four inches of snow since we left the hospital in Truckee.”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ