Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“No, but I didn’t expect to. Not any straight answers. I asked my brother to meet me there. Paddy’s like a human lie detector. He said he was lying. And it was clear to see there’s something going on at that clinic. There were hardly any appointments booked in and I’ve had someone watching them for the last week. Less than a handful of people have gone in. The doctor works some strange hours, and he seems to be the only doctor working there.”
“I don’t know what that all means,” she said.
“Neither do I, baby, but we’re going to figure it out. I do know someone who can give us some answers.”
She stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. “My mother. She must know what’s going on.”
“I’m going to go and have a chat with her tomorrow.”
“I want to go with you,” Lily stated.
He’d expected that, and he was already shaking his head. “Not happening, baby.”
“She’s not going to give you a straight answer. But with me there, she might say something.”
“I’m not taking you anywhere near that bitch. You’re not leaving this cabin, not just because I want you here, but because it’s safer.”
“But I’m not in any danger.”
“I don’t like how much that doctor wanted you back under his grasp, and I’m not taking any chances with your safety. I know that you’ve had a lot of choices taken out of your hands, that your mother forced you to do things that you didn’t want to do, and the last thing I want is for you to look at me and see her. But I also know that if I don’t keep you safe, if something happened to you, I would never forgive myself. It’s safer for you here. Physically, emotionally, mentally. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near you, not within a hundred feet, let alone a few.”
“What if she doesn’t tell you anything?”
“I can be persuasive. Come on, it’s time to go back to sleep. You don’t need to worry about any of this. I’m going to take care of it all.”
She nodded but looked rather confused. As she lay back down, he stood and tucked her in. A hand reached up and wrapped around his wrist.
“Harvey?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Will you climb into bed and hold me for a little while? I don’t think I’m going to be able to get to sleep otherwise. Your touch makes me feel safe.”
“Of course. Whatever you need. Just let me get ready first, okay?”
After he’d cleaned up, he drew back the covers on the other side and climbed in next to her.
Immediately, she rolled toward him.
Harvey gathered her in close, breathing in her scent.
If anything had ever felt this good, he couldn’t remember what or when. She settled in against him, her breathing growing slower.
And he knew he wasn’t going anywhere tonight.
16
Lily woke up feeling warm and weirdly achy.
Opening her eyes, she stared straight at a bare chest. A tattooed, muscular chest.
Shock made her gasp and she tensed.
“Hey, it’s all right,” Harvey whispered in a husky voice. “Sorry. I must have fallen asleep here last night. Don’t be scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
With a finger under her chin, he tilted her head back, staring down at her. “Yeah? You’re not scared?”
“No,” she whispered. “Just surprised.”
“That’s good. I never want you to be scared of me, Lily.”
She licked her lips as she stared up at him. He was always gorgeous, but first thing in the morning . . . he was fucking stunning.
“I really want to kiss you,” he told her. “Tell me now if you don’t want that.”
Her voice was stuck in her throat. Probably a good thing, because she didn’t want to say anything to mess this moment up.
“Good,” he said.
Leaning in, he kissed her lightly, then his tongue ran across her lips. She parted them automatically so he could play and tease. His tongue slid in and then out. She moaned, wanting more.
This was so hot, and she felt her body stir as she pressed herself against him, grasping hold of his shoulders. She’d never experienced a kiss like this before. She hadn’t even realized that kissing could be this sexy or as much of a turn-on. Rick’s kisses were disgusting, filled with saliva, sloppy, and weird.
Don’t think about that right now. You’re going to ruin things.
When he drew back, she found herself leaning in, wanting more. It wasn’t enough.
Maybe it never would be.
An actual whimper escaped her as he moved away.
“Sorry, baby,” he told her with a small grin. “No more.”
No more? Was he for real? That was so mean. What did he mean, no more?
He ran his finger over her mouth. “Now, now, don’t pout. There will always be more, just not right now. You’ll have to wait.”
She got the feeling he was enjoying teasing her.
Asshole.
“That’s not fair.”