Page 70 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Thane?”
He’s almost cautious in the way he looks at me now.
“Have you ever spent this much time taking care of someone else?”
“I’ve had Kara in my care for six months.”
“No, I mean, have you ever slept on someone’s floor, or cleaned up vomit, or carried someone to the bathroom?”
“Why would I do that?”
Once again, I find myself biting back a smile. “Exactly. Why did you do all that?”
Slowly, he begins to pace the small confines of my bathroom. I’m in awe of every corded muscle and the small tuft of chest hair that I want to drag my fingers through.
He clears his throat.
Of course he caught me staring at his dick. I’m probably drooling over the outline that’s quickly becoming more pronounced against the thin barrier that separates us.
I’m covered in sickness, and probably smell even worse, and yet, here I am, checking out the half-naked man in my bathroom.
“See something you like?”
A gulp is the only sound I’m capable of at the moment, so I drop my gaze to the floor.
“I asked you a question first. Why did you do all this?”
His bare feet thump against the cold tile floor, then his toes enter my vision. Even his feet are sexy. How is that possible?
He lifts my chin with the pads of his fingers, silently demanding I face him. His beautiful green eyes bounce to the techno beat I’m convinced must live inside his head as he studies me.
“The only reason I can come up with…” His voice is thick and hangs resonant in the air. “Is that I care, and I know it’s true because I haven’t cared about anyone but my sister and myself in a very long time. Maybe ever. But when I make my list, the needs I have are clear. I need to take care of you. I need to be wherever you are. I need to protect, and sooth, and encourage. Do I know how to do any of those things?” He shakes his head, and for the first time, I get the impression that he’s sad. “No. I don’t. But I know that this is real because nothing and no one has ever made me want to try to do these things. No one has ever been worth it for me to try. No one, until you.”
“Kara,” I croak. He’s done all of this for her too.
“Yes, Kara. And I’ll do everything I can to ensure she has a better start at life than I did, and yes, I care about her. But with you, it’s different. You’re a force I can’t deny, won’t deny. Nothing has ever pulled me into action as you do. That’s why I slept on your hard fucking floor. That’s why I put you in my clothes.” He smirks, and my tummy flips and flops, unable to settle. “Well, I also happen to really enjoy you in my clothes, so that was for me too. But no, I don’t do this for anyone else because you, my sweet little liar, are special.”
He walks to the door, and I’m frozen to the spot, unable to even blink.
“I’ll be right here.” He points to the door. “You have ten minutes before I check on you.”
And with that, he strides out my bathroom, then I hear him slide down the wall on the other side.
That’s the most emotive I’ve ever heard him, and he directed it all at me.
“Nine minutes, Lottie.” He doesn’t raise his voice, but the command is clear.
Now the ball’s in my court.
Whatever will I do?
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
THANE
The toilet flushes,and a moment later, the water turns on in Lottie’s shower. “Seven minutes.”
It’s been two days since Lottie woke without a fever, but until she has her strength back, I’m not letting her out of my sight. That means I’m still timing her showers, and this is our new morning routine.
