Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
He waited until she’d fallen into a deep sleep, her breathing even and rhythmic, before climbing out of bed. There was a certain peace he found lying beside her, knowing he’d taken care of her the best he could. As much as he’d like to have pulled her into his arms again and felt her against him, it was still a workday. He glanced at her again and walked out of her room.
He stepped into the living area of her apartment and settled onto a large cream-colored sofa with soft pale-yellow pillows. The sofa was extremely comfortable and he leaned back as he worked. He called his office and checked in with his staff. He also spoke with Asher, confirming he and Knox’s other friends were taking his plane on Thursday to Vegas, and made sure his assistant had his hotel suite booked for the long weekend.
Assuming Jade would wake up hungry, he ordered dinner, hoping she was in the mood for Italian. He chose a variety of entrees, knowing she could use the leftovers for the rest of the week. With everything on his agenda taken care of, he settled in to wait for her to wake up.
While he sat, he thought about what had triggered her anxiety, and he wanted to throttle Theo. Unfortunately, Knox knew that if Knox let Theo know he’d upset Jade, Theo would double down on his behavior. That meant ignoring him was the best strategy, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. Still, it wasn’t his call. He’d have to discuss it with Jade before doing anything.
They might not have put a label what they’d shared, but it was more than a one-night stand or just sex. Jade had big-time abandonment issues, thanks to her mother and her unorthodox childhood and then to the two assholes she’d agreed to marry in the past. Jade didn’t realize it, but she’d already broken her man fast with Knox. And now, he’d need patience to show her he was different from those other men. They were different.
He turned on the television and put on ESPN. Between Holly’s wedding appointments, work, trying to figure out how to get Jade in his life, and Theo causing trouble, hockey playoffs were the last thing on his mind. But no sooner had he settled in to watch television than clips of the Rockets game came on. He viewed the game for a few minutes, looking for his brother. And he found him. As Knox watched, Theo took his goalie stick and slashed an unsuspecting forward on the back of the legs.
Knox winced. He grabbed the remote and rewound, watching the play again. Theo was such a stupid fuck. It was rare for a goalie to get suspended but no doubt that would be the end result. Especially since Cooke had to be helped off the ice. Knox shook his head, wondering how many games’ suspension Theo would get this time.
* * *
Jade woke up slowly, her head foggy from medication, her mouth dry. She blinked and her eyes focused on the darkened room. Sunlight streamed from behind the shades, so she knew it was still daytime. How long had she been asleep? Her head still hurt but the pounding had lessened enough that she could get up and walk around without feeling her temples throb with every step.
She glanced over and saw the other side of her bed was empty. Her stomach dipped in dismay. Knox had obviously gone home, not that she blamed him. Who wanted to sit around while she slept off her pain? It’d been sweet of him to bring her home and stick around until she fell asleep, but she couldn’t deny being disappointed that he wasn’t the perfect guy. The one who’d stay.
She walked into her bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and her stomach let out a deep growl. “Lovely,” she muttered, wondering what she had in the kitchen that she’d be in the mood for. Usually after a migraine, she craved carbs.
She stepped out of her bedroom and was surprised to hear a cell phone ring. Only it wasn’t her ringtone but Knox’s.
He’d stayed? She smiled despite herself.
“What do you want now, Celia?” Knox asked.
Celia was his ex-wife, and Jade was surprised he still spoke to her. Jade paused in the entrance to the living room, where Knox sat on the sofa, the television on a sports channel.
“No, I’m not happy to hear from you. What do you want?” he asked, annoyance in his tone.
Jade felt like an eavesdropper in her own home. She took a quiet step, hoping to walk to the kitchen without being noticed, but Knox turned and his gaze met hers.
“No, we can’t have dinner. I already have plans.” He gestured for Jade to come over.