Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“Where are Ian and Jack?” she asked.
Beck raised his eyebrows, giving her an amused look. “Hello to you too.”
“Sorry.” She could feel her cheeks growing hot. “That was rude. I was just surprised. I thought you’d been reassigned.”
“We were,” Hux told her. “But Caleb needed Ian and Jack to come in for a meeting and to do a few things, so you have me and Hux. Is that a problem?”
“Of course not. I missed you guys. You’re much friendlier than Ian. And you bark at me less.”
It was a relief not to have to see him.
Or that’s what she told herself.
“With Vivi pregnant and Wolfe refusing to leave her side, we’ve had to reshuffle a few things,” Hux added.
“Oh. She is pregnant, then? That’s great. Wait, Wolfe won’t leave her side? Why? So he can control her?”
She didn’t like the sound of that.
Hux laughed and Beck grinned.
“Control her?” Hux said. “Nah. Fuss over her like a mother hen? Definitely.”
Oh. That wasn’t what she’d been expecting him to say.
“Right, let’s go!” Uncle Willy walked into the kitchen. “Oh, it’s you chaps again. Good, I didn’t like those other wankers.”
“Uncle Willy!” she protested.
“Well, that’s not true. I don’t like the brooding one. I have a mind to speak to Prince Kassim about him.”
Beck and Hux frowned.
“Uncle Willy, please don’t,” she begged. “It’s fine. He was just speaking the truth.”
“He was not! You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had. And I didn’t give you the job because you’re my niece.”
She shot him a knowing look. “I’m the only assistant you’ve ever had. And, of course I got the job because I’m your niece.”
“Still don’t like him upsetting you. Plonker.”
She walked over and wrapped her arm around his, squeezing it. “My hero. Don’t worry. I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure?” Hux asked, looking concerned. “Because if you need to tell us something, we’re here.”
“Nope. Nothing to tell. Come on, let’s get moving. Places to see, photos to take, and all that. Time to move!”
Maggie let out a deep breath as she tried to push all her thoughts away and concentrate on her movements.
Yoga and meditation had become her friends.
Sometimes, they were the only things keeping her sane.
Especially at the moment. She’d thrown herself into work today and might have pushed herself a tad too far, considering her entire body hurt. Especially her hip.
By the end of the day, even Hux was staring at her in concern.
But they’d gotten the shots they needed.
And she hadn’t seen Ian all day.
Win-win.
She was up on the rooftop deck. It was calm up here. Serene. She raised her hands to the sky, then bent over to touch her toes, enjoying the stretch.
A headache thumped in the back of her head. She probably should have drunk some more water today.
It could also be due to how much she’d been tugging at her hair in the last couple of days. She needed to be careful or she was going to develop a bald spot. There was a reason she kept her hair long, even though it would be easier to cut it all off.
“What are you doing?”
She glanced over with a cry.
“How do you move so quietly?” she asked, standing.
Jack just smiled. She couldn’t help but grin back. He was such a peaceful guy. Immediately, the knot in her stomach started to unravel.
That was until she realized that if Jack was here, Ian likely was too.
“Yoga. Ever done it?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“I like to do some yoga and meditate every day,” she told him, watching for any signs of derision. Not everyone understood her need to meditate.
Namely, her family.
They thought it was a waste of time.
“Yeah? Why?”
“Yoga can help with strength, agility, it can help manage stress. There are loads of benefits. Better sleep.”
“And meditation?”
“Some similar benefits. It can help with anxiety, improve your sleep, and boost your immune system. I know not everyone believes that . . .”
“Don’t knock something until you try it, right?”
She smiled at him. “Right.”
“Can I do it with you?”
“Sure. Here, I will show you a few moves. But first you need to stretch.”
“Like this? I’m getting it now, right?”
Maggie giggled and moved over to help Jack as he started wobbling. Somehow, he couldn’t seem to grasp the most basic moves and constantly needed her help.
It was cute.
He was like a baby lamb learning to walk.
“Here, put your foot like this. Oh no! Watch out!” she cried as he fell backward.
Jack grabbed her, pulling her with him. Poor guy had obviously thought that she’d be able to keep him up. But while he wasn’t as big as Ian, he still outweighed her by a good seventy pounds or so.
He fell on his back and she landed on top of him, giggling hysterically.
“Shit! Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked, running his hands over her.