To Thine Own Self

"I thought I saw you come over here," he said. "I thought you might need some help."

Carmen tensed as she faced him. "No. I was getting ready to go back to the house."

He nodded, his gaze traveling up and down her body in a way that made her feel naked. He smiled. "I thought you might be ready for some company."

"Like I said, I was just getting ready to leave."

The smile faded from his lips. "You don't like me very much, do you?"

She gave him a level look. "I don't think about it much one way or another. You're a client. That's it."

He poked thumbs into his pockets and challenged her.

"You like Gerald … and Aaron."

"Gerald is Alex's friend." She spoke against better judgment.

"And that makes him trustworthy?"

There was no point in responding to that statement. If he didn't understand the difference, it wasn't going to do any good to explain it.

His laugh was short and humorless.

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter much now, does it?"

Whether he was referring to the fact that they were leaving or that Alex had left her was unclear. She remained silent and gazed out at the hills.

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry."

She glanced at him, unsure of what he was sorry about. His gaze was solemn.

"You're better off without him, you know. You deserve to be treated better."

Whether she did or not was none of his concern. What did he know about her or their problems?

Princess lifted her head and nickered. Carmen started for the stall, but Rob grabbed her left arm.

"Maybe you think you're too good for me," he said in voice that was low and tense.

His grip bit into her arm and the sudden jerk caused pain in her shoulder. She looked up at his face, trying to remain calm.

"You're hurting my shoulder."

His smile was ugly. "It won't hurt if you'd stand still."

Fear increased her pulse. This was hauntingly familiar to another episode where a man got too familiar. She might have screamed, but memory of what happened to Alex froze her vocal cords. No one else was going to get hurt trying to protect her. She met his angry gaze and mustered all the courage she could find.

"Let go of my arm," she said evenly.

He looked uncertain and released her arm. For a moment he searched her face.