CH.16

Mr. Blackthorn’s observations made me tense up.

Panic coursed through me as I scrambled for a plausible explanation.

He hummed questioningly at my delayed response.

I knew I had to lie to cover the truth. The real reasons behind my injuries were too dark and too painful to share, especially with someone I barely knew.

"I sprained my foot when I slipped while cleaning the house yesterday," I began, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. "The wound you're treating now is from me clumsily falling and landing on the sharp edge of a chair. I may have rubbed it too hard while showering, so it started bleeding again."

I tried to inject a self-deprecating note into my words to make the fabrication more believable, forcing a small, embarrassed laugh.

His hand, resting high on my thigh, began making slow, soothing circles with his thumb, lightly caressing the soft skin there.

The gentle motion was at odds with the intensity of his gaze.

I found myself caught between wanting to lean into his touch