Page 36 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

Candi:I’ll be useless by the time I get home on Friday. How about Saturday?

Me:That works. Pick you up at 6:00?

Candi:Okay. What are we doing? What should I wear?

Me:You okay with a surprise? Dress casual. Sneakers casual.

Figured I’d better specify since her last casual outfit was pretty dressed up…and sexy as hell.

Candi:I love surprises. : ) Got it, casual.

Me:Have a safe trip back.

Around noon, my phone rings.

“Hey, how are you?” I ask.

“Enzo, I’m sorry. I think I caught a cold on the plane.” She sniffs. “I was hoping to feel better by today because I don’t want to cancel. But I feel like crap and I don’t want to risk getting you sick. I’m so sorry,” she says, then has a coughing fit.

She sounds awful.

Damn.

Hmm.

“It’s okay. I understand. We’ll reschedule when you’re feeling better. Is there anything you need?”

“I don’t think so,” she mumbles.

“All right. Go get some rest.”

“Okay. Bye.” Her congested, nasally voice is adorably pathetic.

Nope. No way. I waited all week. She’s sick? I’m going to go take care of her. I run down to the market and get ingredients for chicken soup. I also pick up crackers, vitamin C, tissues, peppermint tea, honey, and a small bunch of flowers.

I make the soup, pack up everything, and walk to her condo. When I arrive, I knock on the door. It’s quiet.Shit, she might be asleep.I knock again. Then I see the light change behind her peephole.

“Enzo. What’re you doing here?” Her alarmed voice comes from behind the door.

“I’m here to take care of you.”

“You can’t see me like this, I’m a mess.” Her stuffy nose makes her m’s sound like b’s.

“I don’t care.” I wait. “I brought homemade chicken soup.” I hold the bag up to the peephole, knowing she’s looking at me. “You may as well let me in because I’m not leaving.”

She opens the door with the saddest pout on her face and redness around her nostrils and under her nose.

She’s right, she’s a mess. She has no makeup on, her hair’s in a wild pile on top of her head with pieces falling around her face, and she’s wearing a cropped, light tan tank top, black cotton shorts, and thick fuzzy socks that go about halfway up her shins. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Beautifulandthe sexiest sick person I’ve ever seen. Her breasts are fucking magnificent. And her hard nipples poking through the thin fabric of her tank make it tough to keep my dick from ripping a hole in my jeans.Simmer down, you’re here to take care of her.

“I don’t want to get you sick.” She leans her head and hand on the door.

“I have a strong immune system.” I smile, ready to expose myself to her germs. “And if I do get sick, it’ll be worth it.”

“You’re crazy,” she says, opening the door to let me in.

I’ve only gotten to peek into her condo through the door a couple times. Stepping in, it doesn’t feel quite like her. In fact, it almost feels the opposite. It’s neutral on top of neutral. Very welcoming though, that part feels like her.

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