Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“A medical romance?” Jack asked, looking down at the book.
“Yes,” she squeaked, aware that her face was red. She just hoped he thought she was sunburned or something.
Even though she was sitting under a giant umbrella since her skin burned to a crisp like a vampire’s when she was in direct sunlight. Which was also why she had on a long-sleeved cover-up.
“Interesting.” He grinned at her and she had to stifle a groan.
Great, he thought she’d chosen a medical romance because she’d been slightly star struck by Jameson yesterday.
And? Isn’t that the reason?
Maybe. But she didn’t want anyone else knowing that.
“Could I have that back, please?”
“Sure. Did you sleep all right? Foot not too sore?”
She frowned. “Not too bad. I had some weird dreams.” She’d dreamed that someone was in her room, watching over her as she slept.
Which was bonkers because she’d locked her door last night. And when she’d woken up, it had still been locked.
So there was no way that anyone had been in her room. Not to mention that they’d have to get into the house in the first place.
Losing. Her. Mind.
“You?”
“Oh yeah. Like a baby. I always do.” He stepped back and she felt a stab of loneliness. Was he leaving?
But to her surprise, rather than walking away, he just grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt and drew it up and over his head.
Holy ab-balls.
Were those real? Were they possible? She’d never seen someone that was so ripped in real life. Seriously, she thought all the images she’d seen of someone with that many lines and muscles must have all been faked.
That it wasn’t possible to be that cut.
But here was the proof. Was she drooling? She wiped discreetly at her chin as he grinned at her, then turned and dove into the pool. Whoa. How did he do that without making a splash? When she dove into the water, it was like a whale playing a game of volleyball.
Not pretty.
He started swimming smoothly through the water. And she just sat there, staring like a complete perv.
“Are you wearing sunscreen?”
She was snapped out of watching Jack to see Ian storming toward her.
“Does it take a lot of energy to be that grumpy all the time?” she asked.
“What? I’m not grumpy all the time.”
“You are literally frowning at me right now.”
“No, I’m not.” He ran his finger over his forehead. “Am I?”
“It’s sad how out of touch you are with your feelings. Would you like to sit down and tell me all about it?”
“Well, you see . . .” He sat on the sun lounger next to her. Then he jumped to his feet as he realized what he’d done. “Wait a minute! No, I wouldn’t. There is nothing for me to talk about. Do you have sunscreen on?”
“Yes.”
“How did you get up here? You’re not supposed to be walking on your foot.”
“Jack brought me,” she lied.
“Are you lying to me?” he asked suspiciously.
“No.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “So if I were to ask Jack whether he carried you up here, he’d say yes?”
“Totally.”
Whoa. She’d never been such a liar before.
It seemed like it was something that Ian brought out of her. That couldn’t be a good thing. Perhaps she should stay away from him.
Or maybe douse him in salt. Would that work?
“Maggie? Maggie, are you listening to me?”
“How much salt do we have in the house?”
Ian sighed. She felt a pang of regret. She didn’t mean to be such a trial to him. It was just . . . sparring with him made her feel alive. It made her forget her worries.
She didn’t feel like pulling all her hair until she became bald.
“Sorry. I’m listening. Promise. What were you saying?”
He blinked at her. “What’s wrong?” He tensed, glancing around. “What is it? Is there a threat?”
“No. What? Why?”
“You just apologized. And you were serious. And you were listening to me. Must be the apocalypse.”
She grinned up at him. “Aww, did you just make a joke?”
“I don’t know what’s happening to me. I think I’m possessed.”
She nodded solemnly. “That’s why we need salt. I’ll start stockpiling.”
He eyed her. “Am I going to wake up one morning and find you pouring salt over me?”
“It is a distinct possibility.”
He cracked a smile.
Ian.
Cracked a smile.
She felt like she’d won the lottery. Maggie wriggled with pleasure.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right?” He crouched and placed his hand over her forehead. Which meant his hand basically covered her entire face. Why did he have to be so huge?
“Are you having a seizure? Do you need to pee? Or have you got diarrhea?”
“I don’t have diarrhea!” She shoved his hand away from her face. “Jeez. I was just happy. That’s my happy dance.”
“That was a dance?”
“Yes! I’ll have you know I’m an awesome dancer!”
You couldn’t be a champion ice-skater without knowing how to dance.