Page 130 of Pretend You Love Me
“I’m fine.”
“The doctor said you’re fine?” The line between his brows just deepens.
“Yes. I just stood up too fast.”
He scowls. “That’s what the doctor said?”
“Well, my blood pressure is a bit low...”
He inhales sharply.
“It’s nothing to be concerned about,” I add quickly.
“Why is it low? Should you get some tests done?” His face is pale now. I should tell him. I should tell all of them, but I’m just not ready. I want to do this on my own terms, and I’m not even sure what that is right now.
“I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for next Wednesday when I get back. Don’t worry.”
“I am worried.” He runs his hands through his hair and blows out another long breath. “I’m really worried. You fainted. You aren’t eating. You didn’t eat anything yesterday. I watched you at dinner, Brooklyn. You didn’t eat a single bite.”
I feel heat rising to my face. “Kip, you really don’t need to worry. I’m okay.”
He hangs his head and curses softly. “I just want to help.”
I shift on the bed. “I know.”
When he lifts his head toward me, his eyes say so much - so much more than he could say with words. They are full of pain and worry. I reach out my hand. “Kip, it’s fine.”
He takes my hand and squeezes it. It’s too much though. The contact is too much, and I pull my hand back.
“I’m going to take a nap.”
He stares at me for a moment and then stands up. He steps toward me, and I hold my breath, unsure what he’s going to do next. He lifts the blanket covering me and pulls it up higher until it reaches my shoulders then he lets his hand drift down my arm just briefly. It stirs a deep desire inside me. I look down quickly, afraid my face would betray me.
“Need anything else?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. Thank you.”
Before he can say anything else, I close my eyes and listen to his footsteps leaving the room.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Brooklyn
I wander out to the kitchen after I nap. No one is around. I pull open a box of crackers and smell it. Doesn’t seem too offensive. I bite into one. It’s fine, so I take a big handful.
“Oh, you’re up.” Juno skids to a halt as she passes the kitchen. “The final round of the lumberjack competition is happening. You should come watch if you feel up to it.”
Oh, that damn lumberjack competition.They better not have roped Kip into doing it. I stuff a few more crackers in my mouth and pull on my coat.
Good grief.When I walk outside, I see all the guys lined up with axes - shirtless. Of course, I spot Kip immediately. Why the hell did they make him join? I slowly walk down the steps and join Zadie and Elizabeth.
“Hey, you feeling better?” Elizabeth asks as I walk up.
“I’m fine.” They exchange a quick glance, but don’t say a word. I wonder if they’ve figured it out.
“So, this is the last round.” My eyes are locked on Kip. I shouldn’t stare at him like this, but my eyeballs refuse to look elsewhere. He hasn’t noticed me yet since he’s talking with Keene. His eyes drift my direction and as soon as they fall on me, he stiffens and sets down the ax. Without taking his eyes off me, he storms my direction. He’s angry, that much is clear from his dark eyes to his downturned mouth. All his muscles seem to be clenched. My body glows as I lower my gaze from his face to his shirtless torso, glistening with sweat, roped with tight muscles.
“You shouldn’t be out here.” I’m still not looking at his face. I’m staring at his abs. God, I want nothing more than to run my tongue...
