Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I’m not proud of how much time I spent during our conversation fantasizing about slowly unbuttoning that shirt, watching her eyes widen and her cheeks flush as I saw her tits for the first time.
“I forgot to invite Lainey.” I set my plate back down, planning to text her.
“I invited her,” Suki says. “She was here earlier, but she had to leave in a hurry because of something at the lab.”
I check the time on my phone, concerned. It’s 6:47 p.m. The campus will be dark soon and I don’t like the thought of Lainey there all alone.
I text her.
Bash: Hey, where are you?
Lainey: Home. Why?
That’s weird. I think she really likes Suki and her friends, so why would she leave and lie about where she was going?
Then I see Leo raising a chunk of bread dripping with cheese fondue up to his mouth.
“Did she eat before she left?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Suki says. “She really liked the fondue. I told her to come back when she’s done, but she said it depends on how long it takes her.”
I text Lainey again.
Bash: Are you going over for fondue night?
Lainey: I did earlier, but I had to leave. I’m sick. Please don’t tell anyone.
I tuck my phone into my shorts pocket. “I have to go, guys.”
Leo scrunches his face, confused. “What? Why?”
“Because he smelled you,” Mara deadpans.
He scoffs. “That rotten fish smell ain’t me, honey. It’s that ecosystem in your overgrown bush.”
I cut in. “I need to go check on Lainey. I think she might not be feeling well.”
“Oh no,” Suki says. “Do you need medicine? I have an entire pharmacy in our linen closet.”
“Nah, but thanks.”
I walk into the kitchen to leave through the door in there, and Isaac waves at me from the table. He has a plate in front of him loaded up with meats, vegetables and breads covered in cheese fondue and a second plate loaded up with fruit covered in chocolate fondue.
“First time eating?” I arch a brow at him.
He gives me a thumbs-up, his mouth stuffed full of food.
“See you, guys,” I call over my shoulder.
“Hey, let me know how Lainey is,” Suki says.
“I will.”
I open the door and hear Dex say, “Carter, are you hungry? I can make you a plate.”
“Thanks, man. My wife is oblivious to my starvation, as you can see.”
I close the door, missing Suki’s comeback to that one.
When I get out to my car, I text Lainey to ask if she needs anything.
Lainey: I’m okay. You don’t need to leave because of me.
I’ve got my shortcomings, but I’m not going to stuff my face while she’s sick. I have enough groceries at home to whip something up to eat later.
When I get home, Bruce greets me with his usual tail wag. I give him some love and a treat before heading upstairs to check on Lainey.
The door to her bedroom is wide open, but the bathroom door is closed.
“Hey, Lane,” I call from the middle of the bedroom. “I’m home. You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I told you not to leave.”
She doesn’t sound fine. She sounds miserable.
“What can I do?”
“Nothing.”
I furrow my brow, not liking her answer. Eric has told me how much she suffers with her IBS sometimes, and I hate not being able to do anything to help.
“You sure? I could make you something to eat.”
She groans. “I can’t eat, Bash. I’m fine, really.”
I frown, looking at the pile of clothes on the chair in the corner. “You need me to do some laundry?”
“I didn’t shit myself if that’s what you mean,” she snaps.
Fuck. I didn’t think about that before I said it. “No, I just saw the pile of clothes in here. There has to be something I can do.”
“There isn’t. I just need to be alone.”
I run a hand through my hair, knowing I should walk away. I can’t seem to make myself do it, though.
“Are you in pain?”
“Bash, leave. I’ve been through this a thousand times.”
Folding my hands on top of my head, I push down the helplessness. “I’ve got my phone. Call or text if you need me.”
“I won’t.”
“Are you still pissed at me?”
“No! I just want you to get the fuck out of here!”
“I’m going,” I grumble.
I go over to the chair and pick up the pile of dirty clothes. I can’t just not do anything. Besides, who minds having their laundry done for them?
A skimpy pair of black satin undies slips out of the pile. As I pick them up, I imagine Lainey wearing them. The contrast of the dark fabric with her milky skin has to be sexy as fuck.
I wonder if she has a matching bra?
Shaking off the mental image that conjures, I take the laundry and leave the room. I’m supposed to be helping her, not sniffing her panties like a fucking creep.