Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the back of the sofa. He was amazing. He tried to be everything she needed. A friend. A boyfriend. A protector.
But he needed those things too.
How soon until he grew tired of taking care of her? What happened when she became too much?
Could her Hero somehow convince Brody to be with both of them?
God. Damn. It. She didn’t know.
“Tutu?”
She opened her eyes, sitting up quickly. She’d just closed her eyes for a moment.
“I’ve got you the ice pack and sucker. You okay?”
“Yep, resting my eyes. I haven’t had any coffee yet.”
He placed the ice pack over her foot and handed her the sucker. It was in the shape of a sloth. She loved animal suckers. Unwrapping it, she sucked on it happily.
Yum. Raspberry.
It was like a party in her mouth.
“How are your toes? And your side? Want me to check it?”
“Okay.” It was hurting now that he’d mentioned it. She leaned to the side and drew up her pajama top. He moved closer so he could look at it.
“How bad is it? Do I need the doctor? Emergency room?” she asked. “I don’t like doctors. I don’t wanna go.”
He prodded it and she hissed.
“That hurts?”
“Not really. But that’s likely the sound I’d make if it did.”
He gave her a strange look.
“I’m weird, aren’t I?” she asked.
“Weird is the new sexy,” he told her.
She smiled at him.
“No emergency room. I prescribe some kisses and cuddles.”
“Okay, Doctor Brody-bear.”
Leaning down, he kissed the bruise gently. That was so sweet, and it took her by surprise. Then he sat up with a blush. “Hope that was okay?”
She nodded slowly. Different. But definitely all right. “I’ve never had anyone kiss my boo-boos.”
“I’ll kiss them whenever you need me to.”
Oh, man. Why did he have to say such sweet things?
“Can you wiggle your toes?” he asked her, removing the ice pack.
She wiggled them back and forth slowly. “Are you going to kiss them too?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Good God, no. That’s gross.”
She giggled at the horror on his face. Then his eyes widened. “Not that I think you’re gross. No. Nope. Not what I meant. Crap. I’m going to be quiet now.”
“Poor Brody-bear. It’s fine. I don’t expect you to kiss my foot.”
“It’s just . . . you know . . . feet are a bit ick. Not yours . . . but in general.”
“So, no tonguing my toes, then?” she asked. “Wow. That’s disappointing.”
“It is?” he breathed out.
Another laugh broke out.
He stood over her, his hands on his hips. “You’re a brat. You need a spanking.”
She pouted. “That’s not very nice.”
“You’re just lucky I’m not a Daddy.” He pointed at her, trying to look serious. But she saw the sparkle in his eyes.
“Yep. I am.” She grinned.
His phone buzzed and he frowned, looking around for it. “Darn it, where is my phone?”
“Um, Brody.”
“Where did I put it?”
“Brody!”
“What is it? Are you in pain?”
“No, your phone is in your pocket.”
“What? Oh. Whoops.” He drew it out of his pocket, looking at the screen. “I just . . . I need to . . .”
“Go. Take it.”
He walked out of the room, and she stood, needing to get some caffeine. Walking into the kitchen, she opened the fridge and saw that she was running low on energy drinks.
Darn. She’d put in an order yesterday, but it probably wouldn’t arrive until Monday at the earliest. She might have to make a run to the store.
Which she really didn’t want to do.
She opened up an energy drink and took a huge gulp as Brody returned. His eyebrows rose. “Please don’t tell me that’s breakfast?”
“Hey, it’s got everything you need in it for breakfast. All the vitamins and minerals.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“No, it doesn’t,” she agreed. “But wouldn’t it be great if it did? Do you need to go?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve got to go in to work.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“I can take an Uber. You need to get dressed and have a proper breakfast.” He eyed her drink again. She drew it to her chest protectively.
My drink.
So she might have a teensy-tiny little problem. But she could stop drinking these any time she wanted. Maybe.
Yeah, probably not.
“So I’ll meet you at your place after work?” she asked. “I want to see Brody-bear’s cave.”
He cupped the back of his neck with his hand. “Not sure why. It’s a mess.”
She shrugged. “I don’t mind. I mean, only if you want. I don’t have to. It’s fine. I can just eat dinner here.”
“Well, there is a really good pizza place down the street from my apartment.”
“Pizza sounds good,” she said shyly.
“Good, it’s a date.” He fumbled with his phone, nearly dropping it. “I’ll text you the address, and um, let you know once I’m home?”
“Okay.”
He stared at her. Then he suddenly leaned down to kiss her. Her head spun.