Page 8 of Single Greatest Threat
“I don’t want to eat in your car. It’s too nice.”
An annoyed look shot his way. “Your health is more important than my leather seats.”
Memories slammed into Joesph, making him glad he was already sitting.
“You look tired today.”
Joesph winced. “Thanks for that.” That was just what he needed on top of feeling sick.
“Let me get you something to eat. You don’t look after your health anymore the way you should.” Shaw looked twice as sexy when he showed his caring heart.
Joesph wished like hell he felt good enough to seduce him. He nearly whimpered at the thought. That body… yum. “I’m good. I think I’m just coming down with something.”
“Nope. You’re not good. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
Joesph shook his head. He wished Shaw would stop pointing out how terrible he looked. With a sigh, he went back to searching the law books on his desk for specific case numbers.
Shaw was back in no time. At least he thought Shaw had been quick, except he held a bag full of hot food from a restaurant down the street. Joesph looked at his book. He was still reading the same page. It was like he had lost time.
Shaw rearranged the things on Joesph’s desk so he could set out their meal. “I figured I’d join you.”
His adorable guilty expression had Joesph feeling slightly better. “Good. I hate eating alone.”
“I know.” Shaw flashed him one of those irresistible smiles that kept Joesph awake at night. “Damnit.”
“What?” Damn. Even the aggravated line between Shaw’s brows was sexy.
“I forgot drinks.”
“No problem. I’ll grab a couple from the break room.” Joesph pushed to his feet. His head spun. He took one step and was on the floor with his head on Shaw’s lap with no clue how he got there.
“Are you okay? Holy shit, Joesph. You scared the hell out of me. Talk to me.”
Joesph still had no idea how he ended up on the floor. For pride’s sake, he wanted to claim he was fine. But this wasn’t the first time this had happened, and Joesph felt out of control. There was something wrong with him and it was starting to scare him. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Even Joesph heard the sheer terror in his voice.
Shaw ran his fingers through Joesph’s hair. “Don’t worry.” He kissed Joesph’s forehead. “I’ll take care of you. You’re not alone. Okay? I’ll always take care of you.”
Fuck. It would happen. Joesph would let Shaw wreck him again. He practically heard the clock ticking on the hammer fall. Joesph flipped open the lid on his food container. The delicious scent of a southwestern omelet smacked him in the face. “Oh, damn. This is that good one from Millie’s Cafe.”
“Of course. It’s your favorite. I wouldn’t buy you something you won’t eat.” Shaw was so matter-of-fact—like Joesph should know he could trust him.
Joesph grabbed the plastic fork waiting inside and dug in. It was still warm and so delicious. He tried not to hum with happiness. Joesph didn’t normally eat breakfast. He preferred to sleep in as late as possible. The exhaustion of being chronically ill was real and constant. His life revolved around what his body could do and handle now. That was why he no longer had many friends.
“Thanks again. This is perfect.” He had to focus on something other than his thoughts. Those were a downward spiral.
“It’s no big deal. Millie’s is between your house and mine.”
Joesph had been so focused on his food, he hadn’t realized they weren’t heading toward the office. “Where are we going?”
“I closed the office today so we can take care of some things.”
Irritation struck. Here they went with Shaw being Shaw, acting like the office just ran on magic. “I have appointments with clients today.”
Shaw glanced his way. “Not anymore. I rescheduled everything for later this week. We have something else to take care of today. Well, I do.” Shaw hesitated. “And I really don’t want to do it alone.”
There was something in Shaw’s voice. “What’s up?”
“It’s time to talk to Dad about Kayla. I know the office is mine, but really, it isn’t.”
