Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 27069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“They’re fine. You’re the one we’re all worried about.”
“Then stop,” he said firmly. “I’m fine.”
“You were in a car accident. You have a concussion and bruises.”
Damon put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing lightly. Shit. She shouldn’t be upsetting Spike. And if he saw she was upset, then he was going to be too.
Taking a deep breath, she worked on calming herself.
So much for taking care of Spike like he did for her.
“Everything is all right now,” she said. “You’re safe. And I’m going to take care of you.”
“Need to take care of you,” he countered stubbornly.
“No, Daddy,” she said firmly. “You’re the one who needs taking care of now.”
His gaze narrowed. “I don’t think so.”
Yeah. She should have known he wouldn’t take that well. He was the protector. The nurturer. The one who took care of things.
But he was just going to have to accept that she wanted to do the same for him.
“Fuck,” Spike grunted. “Your party.”
“It doesn’t matter, Daddy.”
“It does matter. You worked so hard.”
“So I’ll have it another weekend. Everyone will understand. All that matters is you.”
“Sorry, baby,” he said tiredly. “Ruined it.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” she muttered as he grimaced and shifted position. “All I care about is that you’re okay.”
“That’s all anyone cares about,” Damon said firmly. “That you’re going to be all right. But you need to listen to the doctors and rest and don’t get stressed.”
“Millie. Needs looking after.”
“I’ll do that,” Damon said.
Um, she could do that herself.
Pfft. But she didn’t argue as she saw Spike drifting off. He needed to get some sleep. That would help him heal.
Thank God he was all right. Because she didn’t want to think about her life without him in it.
9
Spike woke up, wincing as knives stabbed at his head.
Fuck, that hurt.
He breathed through the pain, and tried to raise his hand to rub at his temples. Only his hand was stuck. Glancing down, surprise filled him as he saw Millie sleeping on the chair next to his bed.
He frowned.
Where the fuck was he? What was going on and why was Millie sleeping in a fucking chair and not a bed?
Anger filled him as he glanced around, taking in the room.
Fuck. It suddenly came back to him. He’d been in an accident.
Some asshole had run a red light and smashed into his truck.
It could have been worse. So much worse.
And now he was in a hospital bed with his girl sleeping in a fucking chair.
Nope. Not good enough.
Millie needed her sleep. He’d make sure of that once he got them both back home.
Fuck. He just remembered that they had house guests.
Where was Damon? He’d been here last night. Why hadn’t he taken Millie home with him?
Suddenly, his girl sat up with a gasp, terror in her face. She glanced around frantically.
Fuck. He hated seeing her like this. So scared.
“Baby doll, it’s all right. You’re safe. You’re okay.”
Her gaze went immediately to him, relief filling her face. “Daddy! You’re here. I was having a . . . dream . . .” She glanced around and seemed to realize where they were. “It wasn’t a dream, was it?”
“No.”
She stood, leaning over him. “How do you feel, Daddy? Do you need anything? Water? Your head—”
“Millie,” he interrupted her.
“You must need some painkillers,” she muttered, ignoring him. “I’ll get the nurse.”
“Millie,” he said more firmly.
“Where’s the buzzer? I can’t see it. Never mind. Just wait here and I’ll go find someone to help you.” She brushed back her hair, looking frazzled and unsure.
His baby doll should never have to worry about anything.
“Millie, eyes on me.” This time, he kept his voice low and strong. He wasn’t going to let her wander off. Who knew what sort of trouble she’d find? With Millie, anything was possible.
Her gaze hit his and he took her in. She looked so damn tired. She was pale with dark marks under her eyes.
“You didn’t have any business sleeping the night in a chair,” he grumbled.
Fuck. That wasn’t what he’d meant to say.
“I couldn’t leave you!”
“You should have. You need more sleep. Damon should have made you leave.”
She sniffled. “I can’t believe you’d be so mean.”
What? Why was she so upset? He wasn’t trying to be mean, he was looking after her.
“Baby doll, I’m not being mean. You need some proper rest.”
“I slept.”
“In a chair,” he grumbled.
“I wouldn’t have slept at home,” she told him in a raw voice. “I would have been too worried about you.”
Fuck.
She was right. And he was being a grump.
“Sorry, baby. Come here.” He held out his hand to her.
She shook her head. “I can’t . . . I have to go get the nurse for you.”
“Baby. Please. I need to hold you.” And he thought she needed that too.
“I shouldn’t.” But she moved closer and he grabbed her hand, tugging her up onto the bed with him. He gathered her close, his arm around her while she rested her head on his chest.