Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
She blinked up at him, and he waited. “Are you going to fight me for trying to take care of you?” he asked.
“I’m in too much pain to argue. I could use your help.”
He knew what it cost her to admit she needed him and was determined to show her that he wouldn’t let her down.
Chapter Six
It took way too long to get from the bakery to Jade’s apartment. Her head pounded, and she was frustrated with herself for not having brought her medication with her. It was just more proof that she couldn’t take any sort of break from migraines for granted.
Luckily, Knox had driven his SUV, a BMW X5 with a shiny steel-gray exterior and a plush leather dark gray interior. The vehicle was so comfortable Jade was able to curl into herself and try to relax. But calming down was difficult when her heart was pounding in time with her head, and she felt as if she could feel the blood rushing through her body. The combination of migraine and anxiety had her getting worse. She white-knuckled the door handle the entire ride home. Every bump sent a throbbing pain shooting through her skull.
Knox was astute enough to remain silent as she sat with her eyes closed, breathing in and out. He finally pulled the car into a spot in front of her building. Apparently, the man had luck as well as charm and good looks.
With one arm around her waist, he helped her into the building. Once they were inside her apartment, he directed her to the bedroom, ignoring her protests.
“I’ll get you whatever you need. Just get undressed, get comfortable, and climb into bed,” he said.
She frowned at his bossy tone yet was relieved someone was here to help her. The last time she’d had someone to care for her was when she lived at home with her parents. Theo had been too preoccupied with his career to have patience for her issues, and her first fiancé hadn’t been much better. Just thinking about that now, Jade had to wonder yet again about the choices she’d made and why she’d stayed with them for so long.
“Jade? I asked what I can get you?” Knox placed a hand on her back and she refocused on him.
“Sorry. I spaced out.” Turning, she met his worried gaze. “I have ice packs in the freezer. Would you mind grabbing them? I’ll get something to wrap them in when I pull out a T-shirt to change into. My meds are in my drawer, so maybe some water, too?”
He touched her cheek and nodded. “Change and lie down,” he murmured.
She knew better than to nod. Instead, she gave him a small smile before he walked out of her bedroom. She pulled down the shades so the sunlight didn’t make her feel like an ice pick was chipping away at her eyes and made her way to the bathroom.
By the time she’d washed up, changed into a soft T-shirt, pulled out her meds, and crawled into bed, Knox was waiting for her. He’d put a glass of water on her nightstand and had two ice packs in his hands.
She climbed into bed, picked up her medication, and swallowed it down. Then she wrapped the ice packs in soft cotton shirts to keep her head from feeling too cold and lay down, placing one pack beneath her neck and the other on top of her head. Eyes closed, she tried not to think about the pounding. It would take time for the edge to ease off the pain. The only positive thing about this experience was that this migraine hadn’t come with nausea.
She was surprised when she felt the bed dip. Without looking, she knew Knox had joined her, stretching out alongside her. He shocked her more when he edged closer and wrapped an arm around her body, pulling her close.
He felt good. His strength, warmth, and very presence soothed her. “Thanks for staying.”
“I wouldn’t leave you alone and in pain. When you take the ice packs off, I can massage your temples if that’ll help.”
She sighed. “I don’t know. Let’s see how I feel in a bit.”
“What can I do to help?” he asked.
“Talk to me?” His low voice calmed her.
“Sure. How about we get to know each other a little better? I know. Why don’t I tell you something about me barely anyone knows? Then you’ll do the same.” He rubbed her arm in soft circles.
“Okay.” Small talk would help her focus on something other than the pain.
“Hmm. Let me think.” He paused and silence surrounded them. “I’ve got it. I wasn’t athletic as a kid. My father owned one of New York’s NFL teams and his son was a math nerd.”
“You’re kidding?” Nerd wasn’t a word she’d have ever used to describe Knox.