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)
Which was concerning.
“How long do you think that will be?” she asked.
“Are you in pain?” he demanded.
“No.”
“Do you need to go potty?”
“No!”
“Then it could take a while.”
He was not happy with her. She could have slipped, fallen on her arm, and . . .
He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
She was fine.
She was unharmed.
He’d just have to watch her more carefully. That was all. He could keep her safe if he was more vigilant.
A sigh escaped her.
“Are you in pain?” he asked.
“No,” she grumbled. “I’m not in any pain. But I am bored. I don’t understand, all I did was clean the bathroom.”
“No, that was not all you did and that is not the issue here.”
Walking over, he turned the chair so she was facing him.
“So what is the issue?” she asked.
“The issue is that you could have hurt yourself,” he explained. “You could have slipped onto your arm or hit your head.”
There was a hint of frustration in her face that gave way to understanding.
“But I’m fine. I was just cleaning. And I didn’t slip.”
“You could have.”
“All right, maybe I shouldn’t have been cleaning with an injured arm⎯”
He gave her a knowing look. “Maybe?”
“However, I am not an invalid. I can do some things. And just sitting on the sofa or in bed . . . I’m going a bit nuts. I wanted to help you. You’ve done so much for me and I feel like I . . .” She cut herself off.
“You feel like you what?”
“Eden warned me not to say the next part.”
Oh, she had, had she?
“Probably a good idea if the next thing out of your mouth was going to be that you owe me.”
She gave him an innocent look.
“You’re trouble.” He tapped her nose. “Big trouble.”
“Sorry.”
“Somehow, I don’t believe you. No more housework. Promise me.”
“Not until my arm is doing better,” she clarified.
Well. They’d see.
“I’m going to make you some lunch, then we’re off to see your new physical therapist.”
“Oh goody,” she grumbled. “Are you sure I have to go? I don’t feel like being bossed around by some mean woman who should have been a drill sergeant.”
“It will be fine. You need to do this for your arm, to help it get better.”
She stared down at her arm. “Do you think it will get better, though? That I’ll ever be able to use it again?”
Hayes cupped the side of her face. “I know you will be able to. But you’re going to need some help. And you have to listen to me when I’m trying to take care of you.”
She bit her lip. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Now, you can sit in the corner again and think about your behavior while I get lunch ready.”
“Goody,” she muttered.
41
“You are not doing this. We’re leaving.”
Devi shot him a shocked look.
Hayes knew he was acting like a lunatic. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
It was particularly ironic when he was the one who had pushed her to come here. She hadn’t wanted to and he’d coaxed her, promising her ice cream afterward. She’d practically danced around for joy after that.
It didn’t take much to make her happy. Something he was quickly realizing. She loved gifts, but she didn’t want big, extravagant things.
Ice cream or a pair of fluffy socks was met with wonder.
Offers to pay for her transport costs for her pottery were met with panic.
Of course, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
“Let’s go.”
He wrapped an arm around her and turned her away.
“Umm.” The male physical therapist who had just come out of the back room to get Devi spoke up. “Where are you going? Is there something wrong? I can assure you that Devi is in good hands.”
Good hands. Right.
Let those hands touch his girl? He didn’t think so.
That guy was so gorgeous even he could see that and he wasn’t into men at all.
No. Nope.
Not fucking happening.
Good hands. He snorted.
“Hayes, you’re acting like a lunatic,” Devi whispered to him, standing on his foot.
Shit.
“Baby, you’re on my foot,” he told her gently. Her feet usually tripped her up, not him.
“I know,” she told him. “I’m trying to stop you from walking away from the appointment that you insisted I come to.”
“Now, you’re leaving. We’ll find another therapist.”
“Is there something wrong? Do you need to see my credentials?” the far-too-attractive therapist asked.
Fuck.
“Hayes, stop it,” she said, before turning to the other man. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but you don’t have to show us anything. Except maybe where the toilet is. Sorry. I have to go.”
“Baby, why didn’t you say so,” Hayes said. “Where’s the toilet?”
That last part was barked at the other man who gave him a narrow-eyed look. “It’s through there.”
“Come on, baby.” He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the door. Then he set her down. “Stay.”