Page 105 of Midnight Racers

“You’re in a hospital because something happened to you. The guys are chasing down the rest of the organisation that likes to steal designs for profit, and until their investigation is complete, you have a bodyguard at all times.”

I moved my head to look at him. “The seats don’t look very comfortable. You can’t sleep in a chair.”

He stood up and toed his shoes off. My mouth fell open when he climbed into the bed beside me, his heat infusing into me in an erotic blast that made goosebumps rise on my skin. He took advantage of me lying on my side to curl his body behind mine, his chin resting on the top of my head, and his hand on my waist.

“This isn’t what I meant,” I whispered. “You have a perfectly good bed at home.”

“I’m your bodyguard for tonight,” he replied, his hand sliding over my stomach. “Were you going to tell me about the baby?”

“I had already texted you to say I was going to ring you before the accident.” It was true, but I doubted I would have found the words to tell him. How could you tell the man you were in love with that you were carrying his child, while knowing that he didn’t want to be with you because he was with someone else?

“You could have talked to me before you left,” he said, his words vibrating against my back.

I didn’t know what to say, so I stared at the wall and relished the sensation of his arm around me. I’d missed the way his body always felt warm against mine, how his strength soaked into me. The only time I felt safe was when he was with me.

My eyes slowly closed and I sank deeper into his embrace since this may be the last time I was allowed this luxury. When I woke a while later, Flynn had fallen asleep and I had managed to turn until I had my head on his chest, his heart beating steadily against my ear. My heart fractured even more that this wasn’t destined to be in my future, that he could never be mine.

When I woke later, Flynn was gone, and only his scent remained on the pillow beside me. He didn’t appear for the next few days either, and I desperately tried not to let my disappointment show.

Megan visited me, bringing a box filled with jam and custard donuts that we sat and ate, licking our fingers. “Jordan is coming home today,” she said, eyeing me as she tried to brush loose sugar from her top.

“Does he travel a lot?” I asked out of politeness as I had zero interest in his travel plans.

She shrugged and wrinkled her nose as she pouted. “It depends. There was a problem with Ash’s company in Switzerland that meant all the guys disappeared for a few days.”

That piece of information caught my attention. “Why are you telling me this, Megan?”

She sighed before leaning forward and grabbing my hand. “I like Flynn, he’s a decent guy who has a shitty past. He looked after me and was nice to me when he didn’t have to be. He thinks you don’t want him and that makes me sad, but I personally witnessed how happy the two of you were together.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “He has another woman in his life.”

“Nonsense.” She waved her hand as if to bat my comment away. “That man is like my Jordan: dark and tortured inside. When men like that love, they fall hard and deep. Jordan is a grumpy, irritable, tyrant who would happily kill anyone who pisses him off.” She smiled as if she made him sound like a saint. “But he’s all mine and I wouldn’t change a single hair on his head.”

“Flynn’s been avoiding me,” I said.

“He’s been in Switzerland helping this Caleb guy with Jordan and the guys. They’re flying back today, which is why I’m telling you all this.” She gave me her stern solicitor glare for a moment. “Try to keep up.”

“You do realise this is all very confusing?” I asked.

She squeezed my hand and stared at me until she got my full attention. “I don’t care what the books and the poets say, there is only ever one soulmate out there. You can find other people to fit into your life and be content with, but there is only one man who will set you heart and your panties on fire. Jordan is my soulmate, and Flynn is yours. If another woman wants him, then drag her ass away from him because that man belongs to you.”

My lips twitched into the first smile for days. “You make it sound so romantic.”

“If anyone so much as looked at Jordan, I’d pull her fake extensions out by the roots and stick my toe up her scrawny ass.” Her expression had been fierce, but she neutralised it and a serene smile graced her lips. “But in a ladylike way, of course.”

“Of course,” I replied, smiling at her.

“So, it’s decided,” Megan said as if we’d sat here and had a debate. “You belong with Flynn.”

I opened, then closed my mouth again, unsure what I was supposed to say to her.

Mum finally saved me from another debate when she arrived a few minutes later. “The doctor said you can go home later today. We’re just making the final arrangements now.”

Megan smiled and patted my hand. “I’m so glad to have another woman in our group. The men tend to have a little too much testosterone. I’ll arrange a dinner for everyone when you’re feeling better. You can meet Cassandra and Lucrezia as well, and we can all be great friends.”

Mum gave me a wide-eyed look when Megan left that made me grin. I’d liked her from the first time I met her at that racing day. She was a little bit crazy in a good way, and I could see why Jordan was head over heels in love with her.

The nurses fussed over me, keeping watch from the doorway as I had a shower since there was no way I was going home with my hair like this. Mum dried my hair the way she did when I was little. A shower had the power to transform, lifting not just dirt from my body but emotions that I didn’t know could weigh you down.

---