Page 51 of Forbidden Mistress

She’s always had trouble remembering to eat, and I wonder out loud, “The doctor did say your blood sugar was low when you came in. Did you forget to eat?”

“I–I’m not sure. It’s all so fuzzy. Maybe.”

I nod slowly, convinced that must have been the issue. All her other tests came back normal, thankfully.

We sit there with her for a few hours, just talking. At one point, she’s holding each of our hands in one of her own, and she sighs, a dreamy look on her face. “This isn’t quite the way I wanted to bring you two together, but I’m so glad we can all be together now. Wouldn’t your dad be so happy to see us all like this?”

Her voice trembles a little bit, and the silence once her voice fades away could be cut with a knife. I blink, suddenly fighting tears, and to my astonishment, a brief moment of unfettered grief can be seen in Liam’s eyes as well.

I squeeze Lori’s hand before releasing it and asking her to give me a list of everything she wants me to bring her from home.

Liam is still there sitting with Lori when I decide it’s time for me to go and try to catch up on my studies. Lori reassures me that she’s fine and that I shouldn’t miss any more school on her account.

“We’ll see…” I say noncommittally as I bend to kiss her on the cheek.

Liam insists on walking me out to the front where the car and Andrew await. But strangely, he shies away once he catches sight of the car.

“Thanks for the truce, Cass. I think it will be good…for Mom.”

I nod. “Yep, exactly. I’m doing it for Lori,” I emphasize as I peel away from him and stride down the front walkway toward the car. Andrew gets out once he spots me and moves to open the back door. But when I turn around to get the last glimpse of Liam, he’s already gone.

Chapter 22

Giving In

Over the next few weeks, I manage to attend every single one of my classes and spend chunks of time, usually in the afternoon, with Lori. I choose the afternoons because that’s usually when Liam is checking in with his office and catching up on whatever it is that quillionaires spend their time doing. Or maybe he’s just spending time with his mysterious lady love, whoever she is.

While at the hospital, I pass the time watching TV or playing cards with Lori or, if she’s napping, flirt-texting with Hart, when he can reply. He’s told me he’s still waiting for when I’m ready to start up again at Obscura, and my body feels more than ready.

In spite of my willingness to blow off steam with Hart, however, my nights are mostly dedicated to my studies or checking in with my besties at Hill House. But I count the days until I can be with Hart again. Just the thought of him gets me hot and heavy, and I can’t get to sleep without rubbing one out and fantasizing about him.

Seeing Liam here and there in passing isn’t helping, either. The attraction I feel toward my stepbrother is stronger than ever, and I find myself having to fight extra hard to remember why I should hate him. But with my full bank account—and Hart has generously kept my pay coming even though I haven’t been doing my “job” at Obscura—I’m finding it harder and harder to make this about money.

So I make the focus of my anger about my birthright and my dad’s legacy instead. That helps.

After several weeks in the hospital and some rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy and dietary training to go with her new diagnosis of hypoglycemia, Lori has been given a release date for next week. The light is finally at the end of the tunnel, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. For herself, Lori is wanting out of the hospital yesterday and taking every opportunity to leave her room to get fresh air and a little exercise.

Today, I’ve stayed longer than I usually do because Lori has begged for more time outside. As we return from a sojourn in the courtyard, me wheeling her in the wheelchair per hospital policy, we arrive just in time for her dinner to be delivered.

One of the dietary aides wheels in a cart stacked with trays of food. She smiles at us as she pulls a tray out and sets it on Lori’s little table.

“Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, Ms. Fitzgerald. Just like you ordered.”

Liam has already arrived and is sitting with the book they’ve been reading together. Time for me to make my exit.

But Lori makes a sound of protest when I bend to grab my bag. “It’s Friday, Cassie. Can’t you stay a little longer? Please?”

I straighten and make the mistake of meeting her gaze. Her eyes are pleading, and there’s very little I can refuse her these days.

“I guess I can hang around a bit longer.”

Andrew’s shift ends soon so I text him to go ahead and leave and thank him. I’ll splurge and take an Uber home tonight.

Liam stands from the recliner and gestures for me to take it. He doesn’t have to tell me twice. He moves to the wooden chair, and for the next hour, as Lori eats and finishes up her dinner, Liam reads to us from Great Expectations, and I find myself getting lost in the sound of his deep, masculine baritone.

That voice of his…the only thing sexier is Hart who’s got the voice and the cultured British accent to boot. Crazily enough, my mind wanders as Liam continues to narrate the adventures of Pip and Estella, and I find myself comparing my stepbrother to Hart. Hart wins in every way, of course. But it’s crazy how similar they are.

Maybe I have a type? I definitely have a type. Hart is my type. And god, I need him. I’m getting hornier by the day. Maybe I can break away this weekend…

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