Chapter 32

**Vivian's POV**

''Ow!''

The biting pain from the ointment is so sharp that I yank my hand away from Nik. He snaps a stern look at me a look that immediately makes me regret doing so.

He glances at the red blisters on my palm, then softens his gaze.

''Sorry," he says, sounding as monotonous as he did in the car.

I am perched across him on the couch while he sits on the coffee table, his knees parted such that I am caged between them. One of his large hands is under mine, holding it firmly while the other puts the ointment on them, smoothing it over the blisters with gentle strokes.

I shake my head in a hurry. ''No, it's not your fault."

You shouldn't walk home alone like that. He gives me an almost pitiful look, holding my hand tighter. It's dangerous. My mouth forms a pout. I always walk home. I just didn't have my luck on my side tonight.

Don't do that again. And always keep my number in your emergency contacts.

My heart skips a beat. His fingers stop moving over my wound as he real