Page 58 of Naughty Irish Liar

“She came home from school this morning,” this morning? Goddamn it, she hadn’t even called to let me know. “I got her into bed and she’s sleeping now, but I have to work soon.”

“I’m on my way,” I rasped and hung up.

My damn chest was burning. Why hadn’t she called me if she was sick?

Because she thought we were nothing but sex, that’s why, asshole.

Realizing she’d had no one other than her roommate to take care of her for the whole of the day made pain slice through the center of me. I didn’t even stop to tell anyone I was leaving when I grabbed my car keys. I made it through traffic in record time to the Clemonte hotel, tossing my keys to the valet to park before striding through the lobby and up to Catherine’s floor. My knock was louder than intended as anxious need crawled through my limbs to get inside.

A brunette girl I’d never seen before but could only be Gabby answered. She was wearing skin tight jeans, heels and a thin blue jacket and looking at me curiously.

“You’re not room service.”

“I’m Ronan. I want to see Catherine.”

“You’re just in time. I have to get to work but I was reluctant to leave her. She never gets sick and she didn’t want me to call anyone.”

That cut of pain was back right in my bloody gut.

Why the fuck wouldn’t she call me?

I felt about as low as I ever had.

She couldn’t rely on me. That came across clear.

In my minds eye all I could see was her feeling like crap and crawling into bed alone.Goddammit.

“So, you’re the mystery boyfriend.”

Was I? Boyfriend, I mean. No, I wasn’t.

“No. I’m Catherine’s man.”

“Good,” she appeared pleased at my answer. “Catie needed a man, not one of those idiot boys sniffing around because of her daddy’s money. She’s through there, give her my love and tell her to text if she needs me to bring anything home.” I nodded. All I wanted to do was lay eyes on her. “Be good to her, Irish Ronan.”

That was debateable since I don’t think I’d been good to her this far.

She was buried under the covers, only her carrot colored locks on show. My heart constricted as I kicked off my shoes and climbed under the covers with her, using a gentle touch to carry her over so I could wrap her up.

She was feverish. So goddamn warm under her pink sleep pants and top. And she didn’t murmur when I situated her against my chest.

For hours she didn’t move except for the slow inhalations and sometimes she’d clutch at my shirt.

“Ronan,” she murmured in the middle of the night while I was still watching her vigilantly for any signs she was getting worse. I’d managed to make her drink liquids but that was about it for lucidity until now.

Only, when I turned my head to look at her she was still asleep muttering my name.

“I’m here,” I whispered in her ear in hopes to get her to sleep again.

“I love you,” the words were so low I thought for a second I’d dreamed them. But I was wide awake with my chest wall on fire and my heart beating out of control.

My arms twitched around her, drawing her in. “Shhh…I’m here now,acushla.” I told her quietly, stroking her hair and down her spine. So tiny and fragile, the reality was I wanted nothing more than to take care of her.

I might be late, but I was here now.

This princess of a girl was my undoing. The making of me.

She loved me. And I had no intention of going anywhere.

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