Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “Really?”
“Definitely.”
“Can you climb inside and visit other lands? Does it turn into a magic carpet and fly you places? Or . . . ooh, ooh, can you fit like a whole house in it and it never changes size?”
She was practically jumping up and down in excitement. Yeah, her tailbone was just fine. But he’d insist on the ice pack anyway. Just to make sure.
“Well, to be honest, I’ve never tried to get an entire house in there or had it turn into a magic carpet.”
“Aw.” She pouted.
He ran his finger over her lower lip, before helping her lie back on the bed.
“But it is magical. It has a treasure chest.”
“Is that a euphemism for something else?” She eyed him suspiciously.
He burst into laughter. “It is not.”
“Good. Because I didn’t want to have to knee you in the balls.”
“I’d rather you didn’t either. It also has glitter and magical healing powers.”
“Ooh.” There was wonder on her face. “Can it make me all better?”
“Your tailbone? It sure can.”
He caught a strange look on her face. Had she been talking about her tailbone?
Or something else?
What else could she need to be fixed? She wasn’t ill, was she? Worry ate at him as he grabbed the weighted blanket off the floor and placed it over her legs.
Then he picked up his bag and sat it on the bed next to her. Shoot, the bags of food were still on the floor. He’d get to them soon.
“Was there something else you needed fixed?” he asked. “Anything hurting? Do you feel ill?”
“No. I’m good.”
He searched inside his bag and pulled out the ice pack before cracking it to activate it. Then he placed it carefully on her tailbone.
“Ooh, that’s chilly.” She reached back to grab it, and he lightly smacked her hand.
“No. Leave.”
She froze and stared up at him.
Fuck. What had he just done? She was not his Little. But before he could apologize, she nodded.
“Okie-dokie. I’ll leave it. Can we eat now?”
“Of course.”
Grabbing the bags of food off the floor, he pulled out the meals he’d bought at the diner, placing them on the small table.
“I got us some food from the diner for dinner and then some pastries and cheese and crackers for tomorrow. I thought we could have a charcuterie board.”
“You know what a charcuterie board is? And how to do one?”
“Umm. It’s just cheese on a board, right? Or, in this case, probably a plate.”
“Dude. No. There is an art to a good charcuterie board.”
“There is?” His lips twitched. “Good to know. Maybe you’ll show me?”
“Maybe,” she said in a serious voice. “But only if you’re truly committed to learning.”
He placed his hand on his heart. “I do solemnly swear that I am.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure you mean that.”
“Do I need to swear on something sacred to me?”
“I think you do. It’s the only way I’ll know for sure that I can impart this information.”
“I swear on my love of pizza and glitter cannons that I will give you my full and undivided attention. And if I do not, then I will never touch pizza or glitter again.”
“Okay, I mean, swearing to never touch pizza or glitter again is pretty impressive.”
“I thought so.”
After dishing out the food, he carried the plates over to where she lay on the bed. “How about we eat first, then we’ll see if my medicine bag has anything magical that will make you feel better?”
“All right. This is going to be awkward to eat, though.”
“I’ll help you.”
She slid up onto her elbows and grabbed a chip. He cut her burger into pieces and held a quarter up to her mouth.
She gaped at him. “Umm.”
“Open wide, or do you need a choo-choo train?”
12
Holy. Hell.
Was he joking? Somehow, she didn’t think he was.
Did Aidan realize when he sent him to her that Hack happened to be her every fantasy brought to life?
Like . . . he could have been made especially for her. That’s how amazing he was. From the way he laid down firm rules to keep her safe, to how he took care of her . . . fussing over her even when she wasn’t that badly injured.
That was something she lapped up like an attention-starved puppy.
Hmm . . . were puppies ever attention-starved? And maybe it wasn’t just attention she wanted . . . she seemed to be touch-starved too. Which was slightly terrifying.
“Open up, Sweet Potato. Choo-choo, here comes the train.”
“I don’t need the choo-choo noises,” she protested.
“Really? Are you sure? Because I make excellent choo-choo noises. The best you’ve ever heard. Do you really want to deprive yourself?”
She swallowed. “Okay, maybe I like the choo-choo noises.”
“Good girl.”
She was definitely in heaven.
“Have you drunk any water lately? Where did your water bottle go?” He found it by the bed. “Ahh, here it is.”