Page 30 of Give Me Strength

I can’t help but chuckle, leaning over to lightly tap his forehead. “Careful now. If you keep scowling like that, your corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles might get stuck.”

The shiver that barrels through me at the brief contact will stay with me all day.

He doesn’t acknowledge the contact, though. He rolls his eyes at my attempt at a joke, but a hint of a sleepy smile tugs at his lips. “That was the security company.”

These hands of mine will get me in trouble this morning, so I keep them occupied by picking up my mug and curling my fingers around it. “Did someone stomp all over the petunias? I thought no one could get on the grounds without prior authorization and a retinal scan.”

I wish I were joking. I am not.

“Worse. There was a disturbance at your father’s house.”

My eyelids flutter, then close as I sip my tea, savoring the warmth. “Oh.”

“Someone set off the alarms.”

“It won’t be the first time.” I shrug, trying to downplay the situation.

“They were arrested.”

My eyes open at his sharp tone, and our gazes lock — his gaze intense as his blue eyes bore into mine.

“Serves them right.”

Although I’m not sure why he’s telling me this. It sounds like the security company has a handle on things. They did their job. Aunt Bonnie and Gilbert can decide if they want to press charges. Either way, it makes no difference to me.

He picks up his mug. “Who’s Leland?”

The name sends a chill down my spine. My spine stiffens, albeit momentarily, and then I will myself to loosen up.

A beat passes, then I settle on, “A boy.”

It’s his turn to freeze. Those piercing eyes of his meet mine again. His jaw clenches.

“A boy,” he deadpans, like nails on a chalkboard.

“That’s what I said.”

Except, Leland Roberson is so much more than just a boy, but Gilbert doesn’t need to know that. Aunt Bonnie calls him a stalker and a menace to society. I call him a nuisance. We’ve obviously agreed to disagree on the subject.

It doesn’t take a genius to guess whose side Gilbert will be on.

Clearly, the name alone bothers him. My response too.

His jaw shifts, and he brings his mug to his lips. “Friend of yours?”

The scoff slips out before I can rein it in. “He wishes.”

Gilbert’s movements are slow and deliberate as he takes a generous sip of his coffee. A look of gratitude spreads over his face as he lowers it, but he doesn’t say anything else.

He doesn’t have to.

He’s already doing so much for me. The least I can do is make sure he starts his day with his coffee to perk up his day. I’ll skip the breakfast in bed, seeing as I’m not that ambitious… yet. But I can fantasize about it, knowing it would never come to fruition.

I can think of a million other things I’d rather do to him in bed, none of which involves sustenance. The thought sends another thrill through me, and I quickly push down.

Or try to, anyway.

“It’s biology.” His hoarse voice cuts through the lusty haze.

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