Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Samantha, I hope you’re decent because you have a visitor!” Brandy pulled Dex into the room. “Sorry I didn’t get your tea. I ran into company.”
At the sound of Dex’s voice, she looked toward the door. “What are you doing here?” she asked, turning to a grinning Brandy.
“I called and your friend told me where you were.” He tipped his chin at Brandy. “What did the doctors say?”
Brandy picked up her purse. “She’s getting fluids, bloodwork will be back soon, and she needs to eat, hydrate, and reduce stress. I’m going back to the office to keep an eye on your partner.”
“Don’t engage,” Dex warned, and Brandy nodded as she waved and strode out.
He walked toward Samantha and sat down beside her, taking her hand. She curled her fingers and was forced to admit him being here made everything better.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Better. They’ve been feeding me and not just through this.” She held up her free hand with the IV attached. “I’m mortified that I passed out.”
“We’ll talk about you not eating later. What happened with Jeremy this morning?” he asked, just as the doctor walked into the room.
“Ms. Dare? I have your bloodwork and everything is normal. As soon as the IV finishes, the nurse can take it out and we’ll discharge you. How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thank you.” She smiled at the man who’d been pleasant all morning.
“My pleasure. Now, for discharge instructions. Take it easy today. Make sure to eat and not let yourself get so empty your blood sugar and blood pressure drops, okay?”
She nodded, her cheeks heating at the reminder she shouldn’t need.
“In general, those are doctor’s orders. Also avoid stress. Do you have any questions?”
“No. Thank you.”
Once they were alone again, Dex met her gaze. “Okay, beautiful. New rules. I’m taking you home and I’m staying for a couple of days until I’m sure you’re not too dizzy to be alone.”
“You’re going to babysit me, aren’t you?”
He rose until he loomed over her, placing a hand on top of the bed and leaning down until they were nose to nose. “I’m going to watch over every inch of you.” His voice held a promise she couldn’t wait for him to fulfill.
* * *
Dex took Samantha home from the hospital in an Uber and once they were upstairs, she lay down on the sofa and put on a romantic comedy. He took one look in her cabinets and sat down to order in groceries and the ingredients for lasagna.
By the time he’d put the food away and prepped dinner, including garlic bread, and rejoined Samantha in the living room, she’d fallen asleep.
He was beyond concerned about her. It wasn’t just how frazzled she must be to forget to eat but he still didn’t know what happened when Jeremy confronted her. If the man touched her again, he was going to show him what it meant to be hit by an ex-pro football player.
He glanced over and her eyes fluttered open. “I can’t believe I fell asleep,” she said, pushing herself back against the thick armrest. He adjusted his position and gently lifted her feet onto his lap. “Feel better?”
She nodded. “Listen, I appreciate you bringing me home and looking out for me but—”
“But nothing. I made dinner and I’m staying.” He’d called Fallon and asked her to stop by his apartment and pack a few things and drop a bag off here. He knew his sister wouldn’t mind and she’d been only too happy to do it. He was taking care of Samantha and he wouldn’t accept an argument. “I hope you like lasagna.”
Her eyes opened wide. “I love it. Did you make garlic bread?”
Laughing, he nodded.
“Who’d have thought you had talent in the kitchen?”
“Lizzie taught all of us some basic recipes so when we moved out, we wouldn’t starve,” he said, his tone wistful. He’d always loved Lizzie but he still wished his mother had been around to teach him.
She watched him for a few long seconds before breaking the silence. “Are you missing your mom?”
He knew they were in tune with each other but this was proof and his heart settled a bit in his chest. “I was wishing she’d been the one to teach me but not because I don’t adore Lizzie. I just—”
“You miss her. It’s only natural.”
He rubbed his thumb back and forth over the arch of her foot, and she moaned and his cock thickened inside his track pants.
He forced his mind onto their conversation. “I do. And I miss my biological parents, just knowing they aren’t here leaves a hole in my heart. Although I know I had a more peaceful life once they were gone. Which makes for some guilt.”
“I’m sorry, Dex. I despise the things my father did but I miss the idea of having a dad. Ian did his best but he was a big brother. Not my father.”