Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Regent eyed her. He had the feeling that he’d grossly miscalculated.
But he wasn’t the hugging type.
You would hug your sister if she needed it.
Yes, but Lottie made up most of his world, followed by his brothers and their women. And Ace and Keir, of course.
He’d give Lottie the moon if she asked for it. Regent walked into the attached bathroom and started looking for a first-aid kit. He found a half-empty one in the bathroom cabinet.
When he stood, he paused, looking at himself.
What if Jilly needed that hug? Was it really such a big deal to give it to her?
But if he started hugging her, would she get the wrong idea?
And what is the wrong idea? That you want her? And not just for sex?
You want her.
He put the first-aid kit down and gripped the sink, breathing in and out steadily.
This couldn’t happen.
Remember, you’re trying to keep her safe by keeping your distance.
Only how could he do that now that she was ill?
He couldn’t. Unless someone he trusted took care of her.
And who could he trust with her?
Maybe one of her friends . . .
He nearly growled at the thought.
You should let the doctor take care of her. You have no idea what you’re doing.
Right.
Walking back into the bedroom, he saw that she was still lying in the bed. He placed the thermometer on the bedside table. Her hair was in tight braids against her head.
And there was heavy makeup on her face, although not around her eyes, which was weird. But she had a thick foundation on and bright red lipstick.
She couldn’t leave that on.
Her clothes were in a pile on the floor on the other side of the bed. He made a mental note to pick them up later and wash them for her.
Actually, he was going to throw that hoodie out. It looked like a man’s garment. And if she was going to wear any men’s clothing, they were going to be his.
And he was not going to think too closely about that sentiment.
“Jilly? I need to take you into the bathroom so you can brush your teeth and wash your face.”
“No. Go away. I don’t like you.”
“Jilly, you will feel much better if you do this.”
She shook her head, sniffing. Fuck. Had he made her cry?
You’re a fucking asshole. Just hug her.
“Would it help if I hugged you?” he asked.
“I don’t want a pity hug.”
“It won’t be a pity hug. I really want to hug you.”
She eyed him for a long moment. “Fine, I’ll wash my face and brush my teeth.”
He breathed out a sigh of relief.
“But you don’t have to hug me. I know . . . I know I’m nothing more than an inconvenience.”
“Baby, that’s not true.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me that. It makes me think you care.” She sat up with the blankets held to her chest.
Fuck. Was she naked?
“I do care.”
She eyed him through glazed eyes. Poor girl really didn’t look well.
“Would I be here if I didn’t?” he asked.
“You’re here because Mama asked you to check up on me. Because she thinks she can play Cupid. She doesn’t realize that she’s never had any accuracy with shooting arrows at things.”
“I’m not here because of your mother. I’m here because of you. Because I needed to see you. All right?”
“Fine. Could you hand me my robe? I forgot my pajamas.”
“I’ll get your pajamas. Where are they?”
“In the second drawer down over there.” She waved her hand at the dresser, where he found a pair of lightweight pajamas. His mouth dropped open as he saw what else was in her pajama drawer. There were so many toys she could nearly open a sex shop.
There were two different vibrators. One had an attached clit tickler. The other had a clit tickler and a slimmer wand that would obviously go into her ass.
Then there was a set of anal training plugs. As well as a huge black anal plug. Could she really fit that in her ass?
A set of anal beads with a T-bar base.
A glass dildo.
Three cock rings.
A set of nipple clamps.
An exceptionally enormous bottle of lube.
Jilly used all of these? He had to admit that he was shocked when not much ever shocked him anymore.
“Regent?”
Shit.
Quickly, he grabbed her robe, too. Then he walked back to where she held her hands out.
“I should help you.”
“Um, no. I have this.”
He frowned. “You shouldn’t get out of bed. You might fall and hit your head.”
“I’ll be fine. Give me my stuff and then turn your back.”
Grumbling to himself, he turned around. This was ridiculous. She was ill. She should let him help her.
There were rustling noises then he heard a door shut. Turning, he saw that the bathroom door was closed.
Crap.
He stood there, wondering what he should do. She shouldn’t really be in there on her own, should she?