Page 80 of King of Pain

“Read for our road trip?”

I sigh. Maybe.

I appreciate what he’s doing. I really do. He’s trying to give me what I need and that is amazing.

But I heard him talking to Charlotte yesterday. This is his family. The kind I always wanted.

Even Mason… he was trying to protect his. I heard that and unlike every other conversation, I could hear the sincerity in his voice when he talked about keeping the family safe.

Luke doesn’t remember that now, but how will he feel when all his memories come back and I’m the person who caused the rift, pulled him away from the people he loves?

Besides, between losing that internship and meeting Luke, I’m suddenly questioning my choices. If I could take away the assumption that I had to be great, what would I be? What would I do?

I shake my head. “I don’t think?—”

“You’re not giving up your future for a tunnel.”

I turn in his arms, wanting to see his face. “You’re not giving up your family for my PhD.”

He grimaces but he still cups my ass, pulling my pelvis into the cradle of his. “I’m not giving up Roman. Or Arabella.”

“Call Roman first, at least,” I whisper sliding my arms around his neck. “Get his take on all of this since you trust him.”

Luke gives a tentative nod, pushing up from the bed.

“How many days will the trip take?” I ask as he pulls a pair of workout pants over his muscular legs and over his narrow hips.

“Three,” he answers, rummaging for the phone.

“I’m going to call my advisor. See what opportunities she might have and when they start. See if we can stay?—”

“I don’t want to stay,” he shakes his head. “It doesn’t feel right here.”

My brows lift. “The shower felt pretty good. So did the bath.”

He looks back at me with that one-sided grin that always steals my breath. Then he picks up the phone. He pushes a few buttons and starts for the door.

I push up too, grabbing his discarded shirt. Once again, I have no clothes.

Charlotte let me borrow some stuff, but I can’t wait until we’re settled in one place.

What a crazy ride this has been.

Distantly, I hear Luke’s voice. Did Roman pick up or is he leaving a voicemail? Stretching, I start for the bathroom.

I can at least brush my teeth and my hair before Luke comes back up.

A noise just outside the bedroom door makes me turn. “Done already?” I ask, concern knitting my brow.

No one answers.

Shaking my head, I continue into the bathroom, running the toothbrush under the water and then placing some toothpaste on the brush before I start brushing.

Spitting, I bend down to wash my face in cool water. It’s loud enough that I almost miss the low whistle.

I shut off the water, scrubbing my face. “Hand me a towel, would you?”

“Towel?”

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