Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Ben went silent again, then he sighed. “Lily, I just don’t want to see you hurt. A guy like Maverick? He’s out for more…experienced women.”
My mouth fell open. I was shocked by his words—then angry.
“Hmm,” I said as Maverick headed down the hallway. I heard the bathroom door shut. “He wasn’t complaining earlier when I helped him get into the shower.”
“What?”
Smiling, I said, “Don’t worry about me, Ben. After all, I’m not your girlfriend, remember?”
I pulled the phone away from my ear and hit End. Walking to the kitchen, I dropped my cell on the island as Nathan jumped up to find out what was going on.
“So…not answering his calls? Why are you mad at Ben?” he asked.
I forced myself to shrug. “I’m not mad at him. Just been busy and tired.”
“Why don’t you head home, then? I can stay with Maverick. He seems to be a lot better.”
What I wouldn’t give to sleep in my own bed. Glancing down the hall, I looked back at my brother. “I want to make sure he drinks plenty of liquids, and by that, I don’t mean beer.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “The poor guy has been through hell, Lily. Give him a break.”
His phone buzzed, and Nathan pulled it from his back pocket. “Oh! I’ve got to go. I mean,” he quickly backtracked, “if you really want to leave, I’ll stay.”
With a wave of my hand, I said, “Go. I’d stay whether you were here or not.”
Grinning, Nathan said, “Don’t forget to finish eating.” He rushed to the front door and was gone before I’d even made it back to my plate.
“Where’d Nathan go?” Maverick asked as he made his way over to the sofa while I finished my food.
“Not sure. He got a text and hightailed it out of here so fast, I never even got to say goodbye.”
Laughing, Maverick picked up the remote and sat down. “A girl.”
“Huh?” I asked, still thinking of my conversation with Ben.
“It was a girl. Who texted. That’s why he rushed out of here so quickly.”
Rolling my eyes, I stared at the food on my plate. I wasn’t hungry anymore, so I got up and tossed the rest in the trash.
“Lil, you don’t have to babysit me. I feel a lot better.”
“I’m not babysitting you. I’m simply around if you need anything. Besides, you’re still a little dizzy.”
He smiled, and I couldn’t help but return it.
“You almost fell in the bathroom, need I remind you.”
“I haven’t gotten dizzy since, and to be honest, after eating a good meal, I’m already feeling like my old self.”
“Good. Then do you want to watch this episode of Only Murders in the Building?”
Laughing, he said, “Wait, why do I have to re-watch them?”
“Because I haven’t seen them.”
He sighed. “Fine.”
I squealed. “Really? I thought I would have to argue with you a lot more. Let me grab you a water first.”
“And bring my beer back while you’re up!”
Chapter Six
MAVERICK
Pure. Torture.
That was what it was to have Lily snuggled up next to me on the sofa while we watched my favorite show. Sure, having her hands on my naked body earlier nearly drove me insane, but having her so close to me, like we were a couple, played with my head. Not being able to take her hand in mine or kiss her pink lips any time I wanted… Agony. She smelled like my soap, and fuck if that didn’t turn me on.
At least the pillow I’d strategically placed on my lap was hiding the hard-on. It ached so bad, I was sure my dick would fall off at any moment.
When I felt my eyes growing heavy, I fought to keep them open. It wasn’t until I felt a light pressure on my arm that I realized I’d fallen asleep.
“I’m all caught up now.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I leaned forward and scrubbed my hand down my face. “With?”
“The show,” Lily replied with a light chuckle. “I think we should get you to bed.”
I stood, and dizziness set in just a bit, causing me to sway slightly.
Lily grabbed hold of me. “You okay?”
“Yep, the room spun for just a second.” I turned to look at Lily. “Lil, please go home. I’m really okay, and you need to get a good night’s sleep.”
“It’s almost three in the morning. I’m not leaving to go anywhere this late. Does your neck hurt?”
I rubbed the back of my neck and shook my head. “No, I’m fine.”
“I’ll crash out here, and if you’re feeling better tomorrow and your fever hasn’t come back, I’ll leave you alone, I promise. I’m sure you hate having someone in your space.”
My eyes caught hers, and I slowly shook my head once again. “I don’t mind having you here. But you do have to stop walking into the bathroom and seeing me naked.”