Page 79 of Sweet Temptation
“Wish I wasn’t leaving, Lex.” I wrap my arms around her from behind as she swallows the last of her pills and grabs her inhaler from the bathroom counter. “I think today’s the first time I haven’t wanted to go to a game.”
She spins in my arms and kisses my cheek. “I’m fine, Lucky. This is normal. I have a follow-up this week.”
I push her hair away from her face and ignore Linc’s groan as he walks into my bedroom without knocking. “We’ve really got to start locking the door.”
Lexie laughs, and the sound goes straight to my dick. Her brother be damned. “Maybe you should try shutting the door.”
“Or maybe just keep your hands to yourself for five fucking minutes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for this whole thing, but maybe not tongue action before breakfast. I’m leaving in five, if you’re riding with me.”
“Bye, Linc. Have a good game.” Lexie grins and wraps her arms around my waist. “You too, thirty-three. Have a great game. I’ll be watching and waiting for you to get home.”
“What are you doing tonight?” I hang on to her for another minute, not ready to say goodbye. Not loving leaving her alone when she seems a little off this morning. “Have any good plans?”
The prettiest pink flush works its way up her cheeks, reminding me she’s okay. She’s not pale. She’s not having a hard time catching her breath or leaning on me because she’s tired. Both things she’s done over the past few weeks. She’s okay. “The girls are coming here for book club.”
“Is book club really code forGirls Gone Wild?” I joke and drag my thumb over her cheek.
She shakes her head, and I pick her up and sit her on the counter, bringing her eye level with me. “If you say so,dolcezza. If you feel worse, you promise you’ll call your doctor?”
“I don’t take stupid chances with my health, Lucky. You should know that by now. I promise. Now go before you’re late.” Lexie presses her lips to mine, and I have to force myself to take a step back instead of taking her right back to bed. “Kick Seattle’s ass.”
“Yeah, baby. I will. Have fun tonight. I’ll call later.”
Fuck. I don’t want to leave, and when I climb into Linc’s Jeep, the dumbass is grinning like a fucking idiot. “You’re in love with my sister.”
He singsongs it like a fucking teenage girl, and I pull my sunglasses down and ignore his ass. I’ve been in love with hissister. But he’s not going to get me to admit it before I tell her. And even if Lexie’s trying, she’s still a flight risk. I know it on a cellular level. It’s in the look in her eyes every time she coughs or takes her meds in front of me. It’s in the sag of her shoulders if I walk in when she’s using her nebulizer. Or the frustration in her voice when I ask her about her doctors. Letting me into that area of her life scares her, and we both know it.
But no matter how hard she pushes, I’m not going anywhere.
I just need to get her to believe that.
“Where you going, Beneventi?” Jamie asks from across the table at the hotel restaurant the team has closed down for us for the night. “You got a hot date?”
“You jealous, Murphy?” I joke as I push in my chair. “I mean, I guess when you’re old as shit and no one wants your wrinkly ass balls, it gets kinda lonely, right?”
“Watch it, you little shit. I’m not even thirty.” He grins, and I groan. Whatever he’s about to say, it’s not gonna be good. “At least I didn’t have to go for the one girl who couldn’t get away from me because she’s stuck living with me. But hey, if that’s what it takes, maybe I should try it.”
“When’s the last time you got laid by anyone other than yourself, Murph?” I throw money on the table for the tip and ignore whatever the hell he’s mumbling as I walk away, hoping to catch Lexie before she goes to bed.
When I get to my room, I pull out my phone and smile. Lex sent a picture of a plate of cookies. Not just any cookies either. Giant chocolate chip—my favorite.
Lexie
I may have saved a plate for you. It’s hidden away so Linc doesn’t find them when you get home tomorrow. Be nice to me, and I’ll tell you where to look.
Lucky
You still awake, baby?
Lexie
I never thought I’d like being called baby until the first time you said it.
I’m awake. Doing a neb treatment. Don’t call. Can’t talk.
Lucky
Did you have fun at book club?
