Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Nope. I want to sit with Isla. She needs me. Here, come sit on my lap.” He tried to pull her onto his thighs.
“She’s not sitting on your lap, Marcus,” Cullen said firmly.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not safe.”
“Cullen, you drive like a myopic turtle. We’ll be fine.”
“A myopic turtle?” Cullen asked in a strangled voice.
“Wouldn’t they be a bad driver because they wouldn’t be able to see?” Isla asked.
“La-la, it’s all make believe. Turtles can’t drive. They don’t have thumbs.”
“Um, right. Of course.”
“Good lord,” Cullen groaned. “Marcus, are you getting in the front?”
“No. La-la needs me here. In case she has another panic attack.”
She couldn’t actually argue against that because she felt like it might just happen. Cullen must have seen something on her face. Or perhaps he just knew that Marcus wasn’t moving. Because all he did was shake his head and start up the car.
“Seatbelts,” he barked.
She jumped, her heart racing.
“Cullen,” Marcus said in a far sharper voice than she’d ever heard him use. “You scared Isla.”
“I’m fine,” she said hastily. She hated the idea of causing any issues. Especially when she’d already created so much hassle. Her boss had to drive out to her place and now he was having to put her up in his house. “Really.”
They all gave her skeptical looks. Great. Seemed she wasn’t convincing anyone.
It could be because of the small trembles still racking her body. And no doubt she looked like shit.
Yeah, she wasn’t fooling anyone.
“No need to make any fuss. If you want to sit in the front, you can.”
“I want to be where you are,” Marcus said stubbornly. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her into him.
She thought briefly about pulling away. But that was an impossibility. She just wasn’t strong enough.
Maybe tomorrow.
Then she could shore up her defences again.
But not right now. Right now, she needed Marcus’ strength. Even if it wasn’t a good idea to lean on someone else like this. Especially Marcus, considering how she felt about him.
“Stop stressing,” he whispered to her as he reached over to grab her belt, buckling it in before doing up his own. “You’re safe. You don’t need to worry about anything right now.”
Huh.
She had no idea how not to worry. For most of her life, she’d taken care of herself. She just wasn’t used to accepting help from other people.
But Marcus had broken through the shields she’d put up to protect herself. He’d wormed his way in, and she frankly couldn’t imagine her life without him.
Don’t get attached.
She closed her eyes as she leaned against him. Marcus was usually a ball of energy. Not exactly restful. But right now, he was holding her, murmuring to her soothingly whenever they turned a corner and she had to brace her sore, tired body.
“Damn it, are you hitting every pothole?” Marcus grumbled.
She squeezed his thigh to reassure him.
“I’m trying hard not to. Isla, are you sure you don’t need a doctor?” Cullen asked.
“I’m all good.”
But she wasn’t sure that was true. By the time they reached the large house, she was utterly exhausted. And so sore she wasn’t sure how she could move anymore. At least not without whimpering pathetically.
Come on, Isla.
You got this.
Marcus kept hold of her hand as they walked into their house, and she was grateful for his support. She needed someone to ground her. It still had the power to awe her. The kitchen alone was probably the size of her apartment.
“Isla, are you all right staying in the blue room? I’ll go check the bed is made up,” Cullen said awkwardly.
“The bed has clean linen,” she told him dully. She was starting to grow numb, and she welcomed it.
She had to shut out the pain. The fear.
He’d been in her safe space. Touched her things. Nausea rolled in her tummy. Okay, maybe not as numb as she’d hoped.
“And I dusted in there yesterday.”
“Right, good, umm, can we get you anything?” Cullen said. It was clear he didn’t know exactly how to treat her.
Marcus sighed. “Seriously, Cullen, you’re terrible at this stuff. Come on, La-la. I have you.”
She followed him toward the stairs, sending a small smile back to Cullen and Ivy, who both watched her worriedly.
She turned back around. She didn’t want to see their pity.
When they got to the top of the stairs, Marcus didn’t steer her toward the guest wing. Instead, he headed up the other flight of stairs.
Toward his space.
He had the whole floor, complete with bedroom, office, lounge, and bathroom.
“Marcus? This isn’t the way to the blue room.”
“As if I’m going to let you stay there. Cullen is delusional.”
“Where am I staying?” she asked, confused as they reached the top of the stairs. “I suppose I could sleep on your couch. It always looks comfortable.” There were a few times when she’d caught him sleeping on it.