Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
What I didn’t hear when I was walking away was my sister asking my aunt why she hadn’t simply given me the potion for Lucas to take. And my aunt’s reply of, “What fun would that be?”
Hollie
I drew in a deep breath before I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it. The moment I stepped inside, I froze. Lucas was standing there with his shirt off and holding it in his hand. My eyes quickly took in his fit form and perfect, washboard abs.
“Um, what are you doing?” I asked.
“Shut the door, will you? Then will you help me get this shirt on?”
Clearing my throat, I walked in and shut the door before I made my way closer to him but not too close.
“What did you need? Where are your bandages? I thought you hurt your ribs.”
“Bruised them, and they don’t wrap them up. Here, can you help me get this on?”
Lucas handed me his shirt, and I took it without even thinking. The smell of pine and something earthy assaulted my senses. I had to fight the urge to walk up and sniff the man.
“You want me to help you get dressed?” I asked, my voice sounding a little too high-pitched.
He chuckled. “Just the upper half of me. The nurse helped with my pants and shoes, but she had to leave to help another nurse.”
“Are you going home?” I asked.
“Yes.” His eyes looked down at the shirt in my hands. “Do you mind helping?”
I jumped into action and placed the basket I had been carrying on the bed. “Of course, I’m sorry. I was just shocked to walk in and see you without a shirt on.”
“Virgin eyes can’t take it?”
I huffed and tried to act like his words hadn’t nearly had me asking him how he knew I was still a virgin.
Yes, I’m still a virgin. Sue me for wanting to save myself for the right man.
Attempting to keep my hands from shaking, I carefully helped him get his shirt on. He hissed once when he had to move his arm and then twisted his body to get his arm in the sleeve. Moving to stand in front of him, I started to button it up. I could feel the heat of his eyes on me and was wondering where that gift was my aunt was talking about. I’d have given anything to know what he was thinking.
“I don’t mind buttoning it up,” I told him.
“How did you know that was what I was thinking?”
My head jerked up. “What?”
“I was thinking that I could button the shirt on my own.”
“You probably thought you were thinking it but said it out loud.”
He nodded, but a crinkle appeared between his brows. Turning, I blew out a silent breath and made my way a few steps away from him.
The first time I read the man’s mind, and it’s about buttoning his shirt.
When I turned back to face him, Lucas was staring at me. “What?” I asked with a nervous laugh.
He shook his head. “Nothing. What brings you here?”
I chewed nervously on my lower lip as I looked at the basket, then at Lucas. “Well, you’re probably going to think I’m crazy.” I started to laugh, and that caused him to smile.
Before I could say anything else, his cell phone rang. “Hey, Mom. What? No, no, it’s okay. I’ll call Greg and see if he can come and pick me up and take me home.”
For reasons unknown to me, I blurted out, “I can take you home!”
Lucas looked over at me with a surprised but happy expression. “Are you sure?”
I nodded as I wiped my hands on my jeans. Why were they sweating? Why had I offered to take him home? And maybe the sponge bath idea was looking good after all.
Turning, I shook my head and internally chastised myself.
Stop it, Hollie! Stop it!
“Yes, I’ll be fine. I already promised the doctor I would not go to the dig site and take a couple of days off. I have food. Please stop worrying.”
I couldn’t help but smile. It was sweet that Rose wanted to make sure Lucas would be okay.
“Yes, I will let you know when I’m home.” His eyes met mine. “I’ll tell her both of those things.”
My brows rose.
Hitting End, he smiled. “My mother said be careful driving, and hello.”
“When are they going to give you your walking papers?” I asked.
Lucas reached for some papers that were sitting on the bed table. “Already got them. I’m ready to go whenever you are. I do think they are going to want me to leave in a stupid wheelchair, though.”
“Right,” I said. “I’ll go find a nurse.”
Quickly slipping out of the room, I leaned against the door once it shut and closed my eyes.
“He has that effect on you, doesn’t he?”
My eyes snapped open to see a nurse standing there with a wheelchair.