Page 38 of Playing the Game
She inches away from him and closer to me. “You go without me. I’m not leaving for a while.”
He studies her for a moment and then releases a defeated sigh. “Fine, I’ll go, but please charge your phone. I need to be able to reach you.”
“Okay, I will.” Her fingertips graze over the top of my hand again. “I’ll call you later.”
As she moves, his eyes track her movement, and a flicker of sadness crosses his face. “I’ll be waiting.”
There’s a moment of awkward silence. He steps to her and moves in like he’s going to kiss her. She turns her head so his lips land on her cheek. He shifts back, disappointment hanging off him.
“Jamison, I’m glad you’re doing better. Dorothy, please keep the security team informed of your whereabouts and don’t pull them off you anymore. You need protection.” His head lowers as he spins on his heels. “I’ll see you later.”
He’s out of my room before Dori turns back to me. Hunter and Dori’s interaction does nothing to alleviate my suspicion that Dori hasn’t told Hunter about her declaration to me.
Here we go again.
She pulls a chair up to the side of my bed and sits. “I’m so glad you’re awake. It scares me when you sleep so long.”
“Sorry.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want you to heal, but I also like the reassurance of your voice.” She slides her hand into mine and lifts it to her lips to kiss the top of it. “I just need to know I’m not going to lose you.”
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.” A burning sensation shoots through my torso. I tense and hold in my gasp.
Her eyes hook with mine. “What?”
“Am I about to lose you again?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“I’m injured, Dori. Not blind.” I pull my hand away.
Her face pales. “I’m not understanding why you’re saying this.”
“You obviously haven’t told him about wanting to be with me. I’m wondering if you’re going to.”
Her loving gaze sweeps over me. “Of course I am. I just haven’t had the time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve been here and can’t leave until tomorrow.” She leans over and brushes some of my hair away from my face.
My heart warms with the gesture. “Why is that?”
“He has a security team watching over me. He arranged a team for you, but they don’t start until tomorrow morning. I figured I could stay here and they could watch us both.”
I’m about to argue, but a bolt of searing heat shoots through me again. “Fucking hell, this is brutal.”
She stands, and her eyes wildly scan my face. “Oh baby, what can I do to stop the pain?”
I suck in a breath and try to focus on anything other than the discomfort of my wound. “You can tell me when you plan on talking to Hunter. I won’t be a part of a love triangle with you again, so tell me how you plan on handling this.”
CHAPTER 9
HUNTER
I readDorothy’s text for the tenth time.
Beauty: I’m staying at the hospital with Jami, so I won’t be in today. I’m going home to sleep when the additional security team arrives. Can you come by my loft once your work is done for the day?
