Page 130 of Dark Endures

Mindy

“It’s always time for bed.” The one part of the day that I hate. And that’s not just because I’m stuck in bed most of the day.

“I’m going to go get ready for bed. Be right back.”

Every night is exactly the same. He runs into the bathroom. While I wash my face off with one of the wipes Cordelia picked out. The balancing act that ensues would be hysterical if I wasn’t living through it.

My torment begins when Maddox walks out of the bathroom. It’s the worst form of torment because no one else knows I’m suffering.

Maybe I need a date. Or to find some willing guy and have a torrid affair that burns out in a few weeks, but is beautiful while it lasts.

The problem is that none of them would be Maddox.

He steps out of the bathroom, and I close my eyes.

But there’s no way to stop the image of him from forming behind my eyelids. This shouldn’t be sexy. He’s a man caring for a woman. That’s it. There’s nothing sexual about it.

Then why do I want to pant like a dog when he steps out in those low-strung pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt that I can barely see the ripple of his muscles in?

My brain is way too adept at filling in the blanks.

“Do you have everything you need?”

Obviously, I don’t or I wouldn’t be over here acting like a teenage girl with zero control over her hormones towards a man that’s taking care of me like he would his snakes. “I’m fine, thank you.”

He leans over and pulls up my blanket, making sure to cover my shoulders.

Like every night, I hold my breath, waiting for him to kiss my cheek or even my lips. But he never does. He walks over to the couch, pulls a blanket over himself and says the words I’ve begun to hate. “Good night, Beautiful.”

“Good night, Maddox.” I’ve got to get out of here before I lose my mind or maul the man in front of me.

***

“So, what’s with this guy?” Winnie fluffs my pillows.

She doesn’t sit still well. Normally, I don’t either. “Which one?” There have literally been a dozen of them coming in and out of my space all day. Most just ask if they can do anything for me or get me anything. It’s weird.

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me. Maddox, your boss. The sexy guy who looks like a mafia don. Is he, by the way? Because yummy.”

“Winnie!”

“What? I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.”

“How should I know? I’m not exactly up on mafia dons.”

“You should be, they’re FINE! Though most of them are taken.”

“Have I told you that you’re a nut lately?” I needed to smile today.

“Not in the last five minutes. What color do you want for your toes? I’d vote for fire engine red or sultry scarlet, but knowing you, you’re going to say blush or cotton candy.”

Scarlet is so not me. “Cotton candy sounds cute. But you don’t need to do my toes.”

“Don’t even. You’ve got hot men in here all the time. You can’t be having ugly toes showing.”

“Now, you sound like my mom.”

Winnie puts her hands on her hips. “Take that back right now. Or I’m going to paint your toes eggplant. Or puce.”

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