Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
I continue moving with a swiftness through the galley kitchen. Thankfully, Liam isn’t standing in my way or asking a million and one question while I’m on the way, barreling my big-ass body through the narrow space. All this searching, the need to see her with my own eyes is fucking consuming any realistic thoughts sliding through my head. All this time, I’ve been sitting on my ass thinking that there’s no way she’d be right under my nose, not to mention that the past two days, Jude has been searching with no luck, and I know down to the marrow of my bones that Maci is on my plane. I walk through the bedroom door, where Samuel is hanging off to the side, and that’s when he notices me.
“Oh shit,” he says. Maci takes that time to lift her head where she had it propped on her arm along the length of the toilet seat, and she looks like death warmed over.
“What the fuck,” tumbles from my lips, my anger lighting me up from the inside out at realizing she’s sick, and working.
“Tysen?” she says with a question. “Oh god, I think I’m going to be sick again.” I move in closer, more than ready to comfort Maci and wishing like fuck we were in Florida and not in California. I’d have Luke here in five minutes flat or have her at his office, whichever is fastest.
“I’m going to get her some ginger ale, maybe give you two a few minutes.” I look over my shoulder toward him, nodding in appreciation. “Maci, when you told me about Tysen, I was not imagining it being this Tysen. Sheww, girl, no wonder you can’t stop talking about him.”
“Samuel,” Maci says with an undertone of annoyance.
“Thanks. Let Liam know he’s good to head out until the McCarthys are back, would you?” Liam and I usually grab something to eat together, but it seems that won’t be happening today. She’s going straight to a doctor’s office as soon as she’s cleaned up and not losing her food long enough to stand.
“Please go away, Tysen. This is mortifying.” Maci attempts to stand up, but when she starts to lose her balance, I wade in. No fucking way is she going to be sick, faint, and then further hurt herself. My hands wrap around her waist, and I’m being careful not hold her too tightly as I help guide her toward the sink. She bends over, and I have to move backwards a bit. A hell of a time for my dick to get hard, except it doesn’t realize Maci’s sick; my dick just knows he’s in her presence.
“Not leaving you alone, especially not now.” She goes about rinsing her mouth with water, and I reach for the drawer where we keep spare toothbrushes and toothpaste, pulling out what she needs, then placing it on the counter. My other hand never leaves her hip, my thumb sliding along her back, applying light pressure to try and ease some of the tension that’s building inside of her body.
“Ugh, thanks.” Her head lifts up, and when our gazes lock using the mirror, it’s like all of these weeks have disappeared. I’m left with more questions than answers. Seeing as she’s here in my presence, I’ve got nothing but time, especially since we’re grounded until the McCarthys are back.
“Here ya go, sweets.” Samuel may as well be on another fucking planet. I’ve got my eyes set on Maci, and they aren’t leaving hers any time soon. It appears hers aren’t, either. A quick squeeze of her hip, and she comes out of her trance.
Time suspends. Every thought I had causes me to stand still when life as I know it changes. The apparition of what I was starting to think of as a ghost is here in the flesh.
“Thanks.” Maci takes slow sips of the carbonated drink.
“Not a problem. I think maybe you should rest, and we’ll do lunch together next time.” Samuel catches the slight nod I send his way. He’s worked for us before. He’s one of the best, and if I have my choice, he’ll be the first one we bring on permanently.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Maci agrees, throwing me for a loop. The way she left like a thief in the night without so much as waking me up to say goodbye, I’d have assumed she’d try to get away from me as fast as possible.
“Liam says he’ll see you when he comes back. He took the company car, and to text him if anything happens. Do you want me to grab anything while I’m out?” he asks.
“I’m good, thanks, Samuel.” I nod toward the drink and at his offer.
“You’re welcome.” He looks from me to Maci. “Anything for you, sweets? Some crackers, toast, or peppermints?”