Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Once the examination was complete. Sheila rewrapped his ribs and said, “Everything should heal just fine, but you shouldn’t be doing anything strenuous.”
“I’m not,” Ben assured her. “Just desk work.”
She nodded. “That’s acceptable, but you need to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. Let me know if the pain gets worse or if it doesn’t continue to improve over the next few days.”
“I will,” he said.
He winced as he slipped his arm back into his shirt. I wanted to punch my fist right through the wall because I couldn’t punch the bastard who’d done this to him, but I stayed calm and smiled at Sheila. “Thank you.”
“You have a good rest of your day, Mr. Montgomery.” When she left, Ben met my gaze.
“See. I’m fine. There was no need for me to spend all night at the ER.”
“I would never ask you to do that. If you have another emergency, call me. I’ll have someone tend to you at your house, or better yet, at mine.”
“Miles, I don’t need—”
“Yes, you do. You need someone to take care of you. I’m here, and I’m going to do it.”
26
BEN
I could see how serious Miles’s expression was. He meant everything he’d said. He was much too stubborn to back down, but how long would his interest in me last? What would he say if he found out how I’d actually been hurt? I knew it was only a matter of time before he figured out the whole truth. He had to know some of it already. I kept looking for signs that he was toying with me, trying to trap me, but I hadn’t found any. Either he was a damn good actor, or he really did want me, despite whatever he already knew. Still, if—when—the truth came out, he’d send me away. I couldn’t allow myself to rely on him.
“I should probably get to work now.”
Miles shook his head “Not yet. Don’t go anywhere today unless someone is with you. Tonight, you’re coming home with me.”
“Miles, I need to go by my apartment. I don’t have any clothes for tomorrow, and my cat—”
“I had another suit made for you. It’s at my place, and I’m happy to have one of my guards feed your cat, or we can stop by on the way home.”
“I really don’t think….”
“You’re supposed to rest. Someone needs to take care of you. Someone needs to make sure you’re doing exactly that. You’re coming home with me. It’s not an option.”
I wanted to go home with him. I wanted him to coddle me, to cook for me again or order us a fabulous dinner. I wanted to pretend this was real, but the more I did, the harder I was going to fall for him in the end.
If this was a trick and he was luring me in, I was headed for a big crash…but I’d rather crash with him than be beaten to death in my apartment by my fucking brother.
For the next few days, I only returned home to feed Felix and give him some attention, and to gather more clothes for the rest of the week. My bruises continued to heal and by Sunday afternoon, I was feeling much more like myself.
Miles and I didn’t have any of the vigorous sex like we’d had the weekend before, but he jerked off, spilling himself over my body, making me come almost untouched. It took nothing more than a few strokes of his hand, then he gently cleaned me up and put me in the bath again. The next day he sucked me off, and I begged him to let me do the same to him, assuring him I was more than up for it.
After we had lunch on Sunday, Miles said, “Pierre, my hairstylist, is coming in a few hours. Would you like a haircut as well? He gives amazing head massages during the wash, and I’ve never found anyone who knows how to cut hair as well as he does.”
“I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to afford—”
“This is my treat. You’re my guest. I’m not going to have you sit here and watch me get pampered and not offer you the same.”
“Wait a minute, what do you mean he’s coming here?”
“He has a mobile service. He even brings a washing basin and a comfortable chair.”
“How does he get all that around the city?”
“You’d be amazed at how small it folds down, and I doubt he sees clients anywhere that doesn’t have an elevator.”
I bet not. Probably, his clients also all had doormen or domestic staff who could assist with the setup. That thought made me questions Miles’s arrangements. “How come you don’t have any live-in staff?”
He laughed. “What made you think of that now?”
“I was just thinking how if you did, they could help Pierre with the setup.”