Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
I pulled back the shower curtain. He was leaning against the wall, hunched over. It wasn’t until his coughing subsided and I was sure he was okay that I fully took in the fact that he was gloriously naked.
A line of scars ran down the side of his ribs. Without thinking, I reached out to touch them. He stiffened. “It’s okay. I won’t ask.”
“Thank you.” He still hadn’t looked at me, but he said. “You’re all wet.” I looked down and saw that I was. I hadn’t even realized it. “Go on and get dry.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He nodded.
I could tell he wanted to be alone. Did he think I would judge him because of his scars? Or that I would push him to talk about them?
I stripped off my wet clothes and wrapped a towel around me. I hoped Blade wouldn’t mind me borrowing clothes from him once I’d showered.
Blade came out of the bathroom a few moments later in sweats and a t-shirt. He was pale, but he made it across the room without help and sat down on the end of the bed.
“Let me help you to the couch, and I’ll change your sheets after I shower.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
“Do you have more sheets?”
He nodded. “In the bottom drawer, but I can do it myself.”
I didn’t think so. “Maybe, but I’m going to do it for you.”
Blade narrowed his eyes at me but finally gave in and shuffled his way to the door.
As I watched him leave, I was wired with agitation. I knew he was well enough for me to leave at least for the day if that was what he wanted. It wasn’t what I wanted, but how hard could I push?
I thought about the scars I’d seen. The cuts had been deep and in a pattern, telling me he’d been tortured. I remembered how the night he’d caught me on the porch he’d picked up the knife to threaten me, then dropped it like it had burned him.
No wonder it was hard for him to use a weapon now. I had to give him time and space if that’s what he wanted. I was sure he had a lot of healing to do, but how long would I be there? Would there be time to explore the chemistry between us?
You have to leave. What are you going to do? Take him back to Boston—or Italy? Why would he leave here where he’s secure?
I didn’t have an answer for that, so I headed for the shower.
19
BLADE
When I left Carlo in the bedroom, I realized I was starving. It was the first time I’d been hungry in days. What was in that foul drink he’d given me? It seemed like it really did work.
I started looking around the kitchen for something to eat, but it only took a moment for the room to start swimming. I hated that I was so weak. Once I got more to eat, I would be better.
Carlo will make you breakfast.
No, I needed to be able to do this myself.
I found a container of muffins on the counter. He must have gotten them from Jacob.
I took out two and got a glass of water. Once I finished those, I could make myself some eggs for protein and some coffee. I’d been too sick to drink any for the last few days, and I desperately needed caffeine.
Carlo stepped out of the bedroom while I was sitting at the table eating.
“You’re hungry?”
I nodded.
“That’s great. Do you want me to make you something else?”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. Let me take care of you.”
I thought about how much it had taken out of me to get water and a muffin. Maybe I could let him help me for a little longer.
He made eggs and toast and another round of his nonna’s remedy. This time I drank it without complaining. “What’s in this?”
“That’s a family secret.”
“It actually seems to work.”
He looked offended. “Of course it does. I told you everyone trusted my nonna when they were sick.”
His confidence was so compelling, and he was gorgeous in my too-big sweats and t-shirt. I wanted to peel them off him, but I knew I wasn’t up for that yet.
Once he’d cleaned up breakfast, he assessed me. “You have more color in your cheeks.”
“I feel a lot better.”
He glanced down at the floor and chewed his lower lip. “I guess I could leave now if that’s what you want. I know I forced my way in and—”
“That’s not what I want.”
“It’s not?”
I clasped my hands together to keep them from shaking. I was crazy to be doing this, but I couldn’t stand the thought of him going back to the house, and everything being awkward between us. I wanted more than the occasional outdoor fuck before he left. “I want you here. You need better protection. Someone was watching us the other day.”