Page 186 of Time Stops With You

That’s a full-out lie, but I can’t force the truth out of her, so I let it go unchallenged.

Reaching over, I take her arm and turn it over, inspecting her healed wrist. Because it was wrapped away for so long, this arm is a lighter brown than the other.

Nardi tries to free her hand, but I have a firm grip.

“Nardi,” I say quietly.

“What?”

“Don’t get hurt when I’m not here.”

She freezes.

I look up and find her blinking rapidly. She composes herself and tugs her hand away. “When are you going to the hospital?”

I raisebotheyebrows this time.

Nardi leans forward slightly. Her brown eyes fix on me. “You said you’d see a doctor. You said you’d go if I wanted you to.”

I did say that.

Carefully, I admit, “I do have an appointment.”

Her words escape on a hurried breath. “When? I’ll go with you.”

“It’s in two weeks.”

She frowns, and I can see her mind working the calculations. “Two weeks? Isn’t that too long of a wait? You keep getting chest pains. I think you should see a doctor before then.”

I shake my head. “I’m managing with the medication.”

“I don’t think you should wait,” she argues.

“Nardi—”

“Cullen,” she surprises me by moving to her hands and knees and crawling over the console space. Nardi sets her hands on my legs, one on each thigh, “would you consider going back to the treatment center? And would you take me with you?”

I swallow hard. Even with the medication clouding my head, having her hands on me sends adrenaline rushing through my veins.

“Why…” I clear my throat because her face is too close and she’s too pretty and I can’t think, “why do you want to go with me?”

“Because.”

“Because?” My heart thuds loudly in my ears.

“Because I want to.”

“That’s all?”

“Yeah.” She inches her hand further up my leg and places her lips on mine in a soft kiss. Easing back, Nardi whispers, “Don’t you want me to?”

I blink, stunned.

She traces her nail up my thigh. “Say yes and I’ll pay you back for the bathtub.”

Heat zings straight down to my pants. “Nardi.”

She reaches up, touches my face and draws my mouth to hers. I lean into the kiss, but not for long. Nardi’s hand on my face is trembling too hard and it’s a clue to her inner turmoil.

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