Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Hayes grasped hold of her chin gently, tilting her head back so he could stare down at her. “You deserve everything you desire. I know you won’t agree with me because that’s just who you are. I want to give you whatever you want as long as that doesn’t clash with my need to keep you safe and healthy. So if my baby wants some damn decent food then that’s what she gets. Got me?”
“Your baby?”
His face softened. “My baby.” Reaching out he brushed his fingers through her hair. “I’m going to take care of this today.”
“Take care of this?” she asked, reaching up with her good hand to feel her hair. “Oh my God! It’s a mess! A disaster!”
And she hadn’t showered in days.
She expected him to tell her that it was fine or to try and placate her but he merely grinned. “It really is.”
She stared at him. It was so rare for him to smile and when he did . . . Lord, gorgeous didn’t even come close to covering it.
Sexy. Handsome. Beautiful.
Nope. There wasn’t a word to describe when Hayes smiled other than truly breathtaking. And she wanted more.
Yep, she was greedy.
“And I probably stink. I’m so sorry. It might be best for you to move away from me.”
Okay, now he didn’t look amused. “What have I told you about putting yourself down?”
“It’s not putting yourself down if it’s the truth!” she protested. “I haven’t showered in days. I’m not sure how I’m going to manage with this. And this.” She waved a hand at her arm and then at her face.
Which she still hadn’t seen.
Ew. And when was the last time she’d brushed her teeth? She swung her legs to the side, away from him.
“Whoa. Where are you going?” he asked, grabbing her hip gently.
She held a hand up over her mouth. “To brush my teeth.”
“Baby.”
“My breath must be awful! Oh my God! I’m so sorry I’m a mess.”
“Hey, look at me. Look. At. Me.” There was a sternness in his voice that had her turning to him.
“Stop this nonsense, hear me?”
“Stop this nonsense?” she repeated. “Is that . . . is that meant to be soothing?”
“Why would it be soothing?”
“Well, because when someone is in the hospital, I’m pretty sure you’re meant to be soothing. Especially when they’re having a meltdown over their breath smelling like a badger who’s gone on a two-day bender. And their hair looks like the nest of a woolly mammoth.”
“Your breath does not smell like that. And I don’t think woolly mammoths had nests.”
She narrowed her gaze. But her hair did look terrible. She could tell even if she couldn’t see it.
“I’m starting to get grumpy about how often I’m having to tell you to stop putting yourself down. You don’t want to see me grumpy.”
“I don’t . . . see you . . . grumpy?” she managed to get out. “Are you . . . have you lost your mind?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re always grumpy!” she told him. “It would be more of a shock to see you in a good mood.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Is that so? Hmm, would you rather I went back to grumpy?”
“Oh, I don’t mind. I like you either way. You’re cute when you’re grumpy. Although you’re even cuter when you smile.”
“I’m not cute at all. I’m a man. Men aren’t cute.”
To her shock, she actually felt like smiling. She didn’t think she’d felt like smiling since this had all happened.
“Sorry, manly man,” she told him. “I’ll try not to call you cute again.”
He gave her an arrogant nod. “See that you do that.”
There was a knock on the door and he gave her a stern look. “Stay right there. Remember the rule about not getting out of that bed without my help.”
He was so bossy.
It was awful.
And you’re lying, because you love it. Because no one has ever fussed over you and ordered you to stay in bed and let them help.
Ever.
It was wrong of her to lap it up the way she was. But just this once maybe she could be selfish.
He opened the door, and to her surprise, Donovan walked in carrying a white bag.
“That was quick,” Hayes said. “I only messaged you a few minutes ago.”
“Oh, I already had the food and was on my way. Figured Devi didn’t want to eat the crap food here. She needs some good hearty food in her.” He winked at her.
“Don’t wink at her,” Hayes snapped.
What the heck? Was he angry with his friend?
“Hayes, don’t snap at Donovan. He brought us food.”
“Oh, I didn’t bring him food,” Donovan told her. “This is for you and me, sweetheart. He can go get his own.” He walked toward her and dumped several bags of food on the bed by her feet. Then he removed the tray of breakfast she’d been given by an orderly and set it aside before laying piles of food out. There were pancakes, fluffy scrambled eggs, sausages, potatoes, and two breakfast burritos.