Page 206 of Fixation
The sad smiley face catches me off guard, and I bark out a laugh.
Me:I’ll buy you a new one on my way home. And kitten? Later, when you cry in pain, don’t forget that you’re the one who’s asked for it.
Bennet sticks his head into the showers. “Everything okay?”
I snap my mouth closed. My smile is gone. No one gets to see my soft spot. Not one fucking person.
“Yes, just headed out.”
My boss bores his gaze into me.
He won’t find anything on my face.
“Okay.” The regular hospital background noise buzzes around us while he straightens his crimson tie. “We have a fundraiser next month. I’d like you to give a speech if you’re available.”
Technically, I’m not. If it were up to me, Harper and I would never leave our bed. But since what benefits the hospital benefits me, I say, “Sure. Email me the details. I’ll be there.”
“I’ll have my assistant on it.” He pauses. “How’s your cousin, by the way? Is she still in the city?”
Since Harper will be my date for the fundraiser—I can’t wait to see her in an evening gown and a smile on her face—I come out with the truth. “She’s the woman I’m dating, and she’s okay.”
His eyebrows rise to his hairline. “You’re dating your cousin?”
“She’s not my cousin.”
“Oh.” He clears his throat. “You lied, then.”
“We were seeing each other, but it was still new.” This part’s true. “I just didn’t want people talking before things got serious. She’s coming as my plus-one.”
“Yes, of course.” Bennet’s phone rings. He removes it from his jacket pocket, scowling. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”
“No problem.” I sit on one of the stools, pulling on my socks and sneakers.
When I lift my head again, Bennet isn’t there anymore. Thank fuck.
I don’t want to be here longer than necessary. Not when I have her to come home to.
We’ll fuck. Stay at her place. I’ll nap while she runs her empire, then wake up to help her around the house. Harper never asks me to do anything. It’s me who’s obsessed with making life as easy as possible for her.
I’ll be there to give her all the space she needs to create.
Then spoil her to rotten before I ruin her again.
Harper:Is that a threat or a promise?
Fuck me. She’s so cute.
Me:Probably both.
My bag is thrown over my shoulder, and I’m out in the hospital’s parking garage. I click on the fob to unlock my car the moment my phone starts buzzing.
I hate how it isn’t Harper.
“Stas, I already told Sergey?—”
“Help,” he rasps. “Help. I’ve been shot. I’m outside your house. Where the fuck are you?”
Thoughts crash over each other in my head.
